CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
C. The Concepts of Paragraph
The word 'paragraph' is derived from Greek words 'para' and 'grapein'. 'para means beside, while 'graphein' means the writing. In this sense, paragraph refers to a piece of writing in which the paragraph stars you indicate the reader a new kind of material will come soon (West in Saraka, 1988: 21). Martin (1981: 1) states that in written form, English is divided into paragraphs to distinguish one main idea. The paragraph is the basic unit of composition and is a class of sentences that develop one central idea. Barli (1995: 13) defines paragraph as a class of sentences that contain relevant information about one main or central idea. It has four essential parts: topic, idea, details and transitions.
According to Me Crimon (1984), a paragraph is a class of related sentence that present one idea or aspect of an idea. A good paragraph not only just state the idea, but also each sentences in it support or extent the central idea. In spite of the paragraph is short but it is complete composition. The basic rule of follow the length of the paragraph you write is make the paragraph long enough to develop
it's central idea clearly and completely. Do not make a paragraph so long that you do not relate to the central idea becomes repetition and boring.
To make paragraph a writer has to know firstly how to write sentence correctly, and how to develop a topic sentences or the controlling ideas. He then should pay attention his readers. As stated by Alien (1974:84)
If learners of either a first of second language are to acquire an ability to communicate in writing, they have to learn not only to write correct sentences, but also how to define, how to classify, how introduction, howkeep contact with the reader and soon. We also would suggest that the learner would more likely to develop this communicative competence, this knowledge of the theoretical conventions, if this writing is immediatelyrelates to subject which naturally require such an ability.
A piece of writing which contains a set of paragraph will have several indentations, making it for the reader to see where each new paragraph or idea stars. One paragraph, however, contains only one indentation because there is only one starting point. A paragraph can be a skinny line or two or go on without relief for whole pages on unbroken paragraph. The following is an example of model paragraph. (Model Paragraph Frame).
Gold, a precious metal is prize for two important characteristic. First, gold has a illustrious beauty that is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is suitable for jewelry, corns, and ornamental purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will remain beauty forever. For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished If learners of either a first of second language are to acquire an ability to communicate in writing, they have to learn not only to write correct sentences, but also how to define, how to classify, how introduction, how keep contact with the
reader and soon. We also would suggest that the learner would more likely to develop this communicative competence, this knowledge of the theoretical conventions, if this writing is immediately relates to subject which naturally require such an ability (Alien, 1974: 84).
2. Main Parts of Paragraph
Oshima et al. (1981) classifies the paragraph into three main structural part, namely: a topic sentences, supporting sentences and a concluding sentences.
a. Topic Sentence
The topic sentence state the main idea of paragraph it briefly indicates what the paragraph is going to discuss. It contains both a topic and a controlling idea. It names the topic and then limits the topic to specific area to be discussed in the space of single paragraph.
A topic sentence is a complete sentence, that it contains a subject, a verb and usually complement. The topic sentence gives only the main idea; therefore, it is the most general statement in the paragraph. It does not give any specific details.
b. Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence, that is they explanation the topic sentence by giving definitions, reason, examples, facts, an accident, comparison, analogy, cause and effect, statistics and quotations.
c. Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentence signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important points to remember. It serves three purposes namely: (1) it signals the end of the paragraph, (2) it summarizes the main points of the paragraph, and
(3) it gives a final comment on the topic and leaves the reader with the most important ideas to think about.
3. The Characteristic of an Effective Paragraph
Saraka (1988: 61) states that an effective paragraph is a paragraph that possesses what one often called unity, completeness, order and coherence. Those are described as follow:
1) Unity
By unity, we mean that every sentence in a paragraph contributes to developing one central idea.. If a paragraph contains sentences that do not develop or support the main or central idea, then it lacks wondering from it. Every sentence or detail in the paragraph must qualify, support, and explain the main idea.
2) Completeness
A paragraph is complete when it provides information well enough developed to convince the reader of its truths. In a complete paragraph, youprovide the readers with a restricted topic sentence and sufficient information to clarify, analyze, and support the main idea stated in the topic sentence.
3) Order
By order, we mean that the organization of information in a paragraph is presented in a describe sequence. Since you control the presentation of information, you need to decide which information you will put first in your paragraph, and which information you will present next and so on.
4) Coherence
Coherence means each sentence in a paragraph is closely related to the next. It takes the reader logically and smoothly from one sentence to next, so that the ideas stick one another.
4. Kinds of Paragraph
Lannon (1992) states that when we think of the paragraph in the term of the kinds they are, we find that there are four basic types of paragraph:
1) Description
Description is writing to show, it tries to present a picture.
2) Narration
Narration is writing to tell the story.
3) Argument
Argument focuses on its audience. It may ask them to accept an opinion or to support a position or to take change their behavior. However, because it calls for varying degrees of involvement, an argument provokes resistance from its readers.
4) Exposition
Exposition is non-fiction writing. Its basic purpose is to tell about something, to inform or to explain. In school and in the business world, it is a kind of writing you will do most.
D. The Concepts of Descriptive Paragraph