What makes a good paragraph? | Speak English With Rupert

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IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH WRITING (ESSAYS, LETTERS, EMAILS, SOCIAL MEDIA, ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL)

Course Introduction

Welcome to the course (2:53)

Sentence Formation

Sentence formation: Introduction (0:45)
Simple sentences (2:28)
Compound sentences (1:09)
Complex sentences (2:07)
Adverb clauses (0:55)
Adjective clauses (1:46)
Noun clauses (1:31)
Reporting clauses (2:24)
Participle phrases (2:09)

Paragraph Formation

Paragraph formation: Introduction (0:55)
Why are paragraphs necessary? (5:13)
What makes a good paragraph? (1:25)
Paragraphs for reporting texts (2:25)
Paragraphs for narrative texts (2:28)
Paragraphs for formal texts (2:15)
Contrast paragraphs (1:35)

Punctuation

Punctuation introduction (0:37)
Question marks (0:57)
Exclamation marks (0:49)
Full stops (0:41)
Commas for lists (1:20)
Commas for introductory phrases (1:13)
Commas for relative clauses (1:51)
Commas for dependent clauses (0:56)
Colons (0:45)
Semi colons (1:49)
Quotation marks (1:41)

Essay Writing: Introduction

Welcome to the Essay Writing section (3:08)

Essay Writing Introductions: Using The Essay Question (1A)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (2:03)
Key points (10:44)
Detailed points: Analysing the question
Detailed points: Common instruction words
Detailed points: How the essay question affects planning
Detailed points: Identifying topic and restriction words
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (5:48)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 1A
Final thoughts (2:29)
Glossary

Essay Writing Introductions: The "Lead In" (1B)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:34)
Key points (7:28)
Detailed points: The purpose of the lead in
Detailed points: Different types of background
Useful language
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (3:02)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 1B
Final thoughts (0:28)
Glossary

Essay Writing Introductions: Creating A Focus (1C)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:26)
Key points (9:12)
Detailed points: Moving from general to specific
Detailed points: Introducing the title
Detailed points: Providing a justification
Detailed points: Defining key terms
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (4:02)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 1C
Final thoughts (0:25)
Glossary

Essay Writing Introductions: Writing A Thesis Statement (1D)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:48)
Key points (8:07)
Detailed points: What is a thesis statement?
Detailed points: Restrictions on scope
Detailed points: Essay outline
Further questions on introductions
Useful language
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (4:39)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 1D
Final thoughts (0:43)
Glossary

Essay Writing Main Body: Expectations Of The Main Body (2A)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:28)
Key points (5:13)
Detailed points: Formal language
Detailed points: Referring to sources
Detailed points: Making your stance clear
Detailed points: Showing strengths and weaknesses
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (4:05)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 2A
Final thoughts (0:46)
Glossary

Essay Writing Main Body: Organising Your Points (2B)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:00)
Key points (3:18)
Detailed points: Collecting information
Detailed points: Grouping ideas
Detailed points: Typical structure of main body
Detailed points: Structure of compare & contrast essays
Detailed points: Structure of cause & effect essays
Detailed points: Structure of discuss / evaluate essays
Detailed points: Structure of process / chronological essays
Detailed points: Definition paragraphs
Detailed points: Transition paragraphs
Detailed points: Rebuttal paragraphs
Detailed points: Pre-conclusion paragraphs
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:46)
Final thoughts (0:51)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 2B
Glossary

Essay Writing Main Body: Planning & Writing Your Paragraphs (2C)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (0:47)
Key points (7:25)
Detailed points: Topic sentences
Detailed points: Supporting sentences
Detailed points: Opposing points of view
Detailed points: Ending your paragraph
Useful language: Transition signals
Cautious language
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:02)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 2C
Final thoughts (0:44)
Glossary

Essay Writing Main Body: Supporting Your Points (2D)

Lesson Aims
Introduction video (2:02)
Key points (7:54)
Detailed points: Using sources
Detailed points: Paraphrasing
Detailed points: Reporting language
Detailed points: Summaries
Useful language
Practice tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:54)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 2D
Final thoughts (1:32)
Glossary

Essay Writing Conclusions: Planning Your Conclusion (3A)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (0:55)
Key points (5:57)
Detailed points: What is included?
Detailed points: What is not included?
Detailed points: Identifying key points from your essay
Detailed points: Length and structure
Practice Tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:15)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 3A
Final thoughts (1:00)
Glossary

Essay Writing Conclusions: Summarising Your Position (3B)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:19)
Key points (6:04)
Detailed points: Starting your conclusion
Detailed points: Restating the thesis
Detailed points: Summarising and nominalisation
Detailed points: Summarising strength of evidence
Practice Tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:35)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 3B
Final thoughts (0:34)
Glossary

Essay Writing Conclusions: Supporting Your Position (3C)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (1:13)
Key points (5:49)
Detailed points: Choosing suitable evidence
Detailed points: Building your supporting case
Detailed points: Demonstrating weakness in opposing case
Detailed points: Dealing with limitations
Detailed points: Dealing with unclear answers
Detailed points: Matching the essay outline
Practice Tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (4:19)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 3C
Final thoughts (0:52)

Essay Writing Conclusions: Applying Your Findings To The Real World (3D)

Lesson aims
Introduction video (0:43)
Key points (3:15)
Detailed points: Overview
Detailed points: Show impact on knowledge
Detailed points: Making recommendations
Detailed points: Fitting existing research
Detailed points: Improving upon findings
Detailed points: Memorable finish
Practice Tasks
Practice tasks: Answers (2:51)
Example Essay: Notes on lesson 3D
Final thoughts (1:16)
Glossary

Letters and Emails

Letters and email: Introduction (1:05)
Letter and emails: Openings (4:49)
Letter and emails: Closings (2:55)
Letters and emails: First paragraphs (3:13)
Letter and emails main body movements (2:38)
Letter and emails main body movement: Extra tips (1:18)
Letters and emails: What next? (2:00)
Letter formatting (1:35)
Letters and emails: Key differences (3:13)

Social Media Writing

Social Media Writing: Introduction (0:28)
Posts and blogs (2:47)
Comments and chat (1:34)
30 key abbreviations (5:16)
Use for learning English (2:39)

Bonus Lessons

Paragraphs analysed in detail (Expository, Narrative, Persuasive & Descriptive) (28:26)

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What makes a good paragraph?

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