Rules for Writers Chapter 4

     In chapter four of "Rules for Writers,"  the author teaches how to build effective paragraphs.  The chapter starts with stating the main point in a topic sentence.  A topic sentence is a lot like a thesis except it lets the readers know what will be in the paragraph to follow vice an entire draft.  The topic sentence should clearly state the reason for the paragraph and relate to the thesis.  According to the chapter, the topic sentence usually is the first sentence in the chapter, but for different types of writing or for writers with different styles, could be in the second sentence, or even at the end of the paragraph.  Next, the author explains how to develop the main points.  When doing this, she says that the main point, like a thesis must be proven and that it must be developed enough depending on purpose and audience.
     The author then teaches how to choose a suitable pattern of organization.  She gives several examples of standard patterns of organization that are frequently used by writers including: examples and illustrations, narration, description, process, camparison and contrast, analogy cause and effect, classification and division and definition.  There are different reasons for using each of these organization processes, and the process that the writer will use will depend on the writer's style and purpose.  The next section in the chapter covers making paragraphs coherent.  As with patterns of organization, there are several examples that the writer gives to help writer's make their paragraphs coherent.  Finally, the author teaches how to adjust the paragraph length if necessary.  The chapter states that there are several reasons to begin a new paragraph, or combine paragraphs.  Some reasons for beginning new paragraphs are to signal a shift to a new idea, mark off the introduction and conclusion, break up text that looks too dense, or to highlight a contrast.  Reasons to comine paragraphs include clarifying the essay's organization and connecting closely related ideas.
     Like the other chapters that we've read so far in this book, I will benefit from all of the material the author has written in it.  All of the points in the chapter are points that I haven't been taught in the past and will only help to make me a better writer.  One of the more important lessons that I will take with me from the chapter is the section on organizing paragraphs.  All of the descriptions in that sections are very detailed, and the examples make it very easy to understand and will help me apply the styles to my writing.  Another of the lessons that I will take from this chapter, is the section on making paragraphs coherent, more specifically on providing transitions.  I've always had issues with transitioning between sentences, but this section gives examples on transitioning the I believe will help me.  I like how the author italicizes the words in the paragraphs to show the readers the words that the writer uses to transition, it's a great example and will really help me apply the information in my own writing.