EXERCISE 11. WRITE THE CORRECT CONTRACTION FOR EACH WORD GROUP.

1996, he discovered that he had testicular cancer that had advanced and

spread to his brain and lungs. The determination that had carried him through

win after win in cycling now kicked in to help him combat the deadly dis-

ease. And combat he did. After surgery and chemotherapy, Lance became a

cancer survivor. Profoundly affected by his battle for life, he dedicated him-

self to becoming a spokesperson for cancer awareness and survivorship.

Why does a new paragraph begin with the sentence “His path, how-

ever, has not been without obstacles and pain”?

This is a new topic.

The first paragraph deals with Lance’s achievement in cycling. All sentences in this

paragraph deal with this topic.

The second paragraph moves on to another topic: Lance’s battle with and victory over

cancer. All sentences in this paragraph deal with this topic.

Note that the beginning of a paragraph is indented; that is, the first word is moved a

short space to the right of the margin.

A paragraph is a group of sentences telling about one topic. When you

come to a new topic, begin a new paragraph. Remember to indent

when you start a paragraph.

A Note About Paragraph Length

How long should a paragraph be? Quite simply, it should be as long as it needs to be. A

paragraph that is developing a topic does not consist of a predetermined number of sen-

tences. However, very long paragraphs (say, a page long) often seem forbidding to the

reader. Very short ones—one or two sentences—may be used, but only with care. Some-

times the one-sentence paragraph can make a point dramatically. A series of one-sentence

paragraphs, though, makes your writing disjointed and leaves the reader with the impres-

sion that you have not developed your subject.

EXERCISE. Write a two-paragraph composition beginning with the words The most

stressful day that I remember . . .

It is a good idea to write about something you have actually lived through. Here are

examples:

The day I fell from a ladder The day our car was stolen

The day we moved from Ridgefield The day I started high school

Suggestions for the First Paragraph