Chapter 4

       Chapter focuses on paragraphs. The main point, stating the main point in your topic sentence, sticking to that topic, making sure not to go too much of point, developing the main point and using a pattern of organization, for ex. you could use cause and effect, compare and contrast, illustrations, and description. When writing, your paragraphs should flow smoothly into the next. A paragraph can consist of a direct and indirect supports towards the main idea or point of your piece of writing. Parallel structures are like a bunch of ideas or sentences that come together but make one main point. And as you continue writing you should always maintain consistency, which occurs mostly when you go back and forth from one point to another. Keeping new information about a same topic will bring more interest to the reader and make your paper better overall. Usually to begin a new paragraph, its to start off a new idea or indicate an importatn shift in time or place. It can be a highlight of contrast or to emphasize a point or the main idea your getting at.
       I plan to use these techniques in the future. I tend to get off topic easily when I'm writing especially if I can relate to what I'm reading and then I have to write about it. I also have trouble sometimes stating my main specific point and even if, keeping my information on that point. Backing it up with claims, with direct and indirect support. Supporting evidence or a claim is easy when you have the information to support it, but this taught me how to keep my essays or paragraphs more organized and smooth flowing so I'm not all over the place with my thinking and information. Reading this chapter and learning these new things will hopefully make me a better writer in the future. With simple techniques, I've noticed you can see changes in your work from the smallest of new material.