The List Paragraph

The List Paragraph

A list paragraph is one which is developed by applying the technique of listing. The developers in this kind of

paragraph make a list of the things mentioned in the controlling idea of the topic sentence. Sometimes the developers are divided into two groups to make two different lists. In that case, a modulator is essential to come between them.

        There is no hard and fast rule as to how many items are to be listed in a list paragraph. However, a medium sized paragraph generally contains three to six items on one list. Whatever way be the number of items, you should remember that your list paragraph should not resemble a shopping list like this.

Qualities of a Good Actress

            A good actress should possess the following qualities:

            1. A handsome figure

            2. Glamour

            3. Good voice

            4. Acting skill

            5. Power of perception

        In fact, this is not a paragraph, not a piece of composition. Although all the expected things are listed here,

the way they are done is not appropriate. In order to avoid this shopping list appearance, you should put the things in sentence forms and they should also be joined together with the help of linkers and connectors. Read the following paragraph and see how the listing is done:

Qualities of a Good Actress

        A good actress should have at least five basic qualities. First of all, she should have an attractive figure. Secondly, she should have sufficient glamour to enchant her viewers. Thirdly, her voice also should be soft and pleasing to the audience. Fourthly, she should be able to perform her acting skillfully and realistically. And finally, she should possess the necessary power of perception to understand her roles correctly. If an actress happens to possess these qualities, it is expected that she will be successful in her career.

       This is how the list has become paragraph now. According to the controlling idea contained in the topic sentence, the developers have made this list with the aid of some connectors. The connectors here are First of all, Secondly, Thirdly, Fourthly and finally.

       You have noticed that this paragraph has no context modulator in it, because it has presented only one set of ideas. However, like all ideal paragraphs, it has a topic sentence at the beginning and a terminator at the end. The controlling idea in a list paragraph is generally expressed by a noun phrase with a countable plural noun modified by determiners and / or adjectives. Here are some examples:

       three problems

       four advantages

       five major causes

       these principles

       some important characteristics

       several reasons

       The main conditions and so on

The connectors in a list paragraph include the following:

       First / firstly

       Second / Secondly

       Third / thirdly and so on

       another

       still another

       as well

       moreover i#

       lastly / finally and so on

MAIN POINTS

       i) the list paragraph is developed by the technique of

       ii) The context modulator may or may not be present in a list paragraph.

       iii) the act of  listing is governed by the .controlling

       iv) The listing is done with the help of connectors.

VOCABULARY ENRICHMENT

     (to) apply - ask for; make practical use of

     audience - gathering of persons for hearing a speaker, singer, etc.

     career - way of making a living; profession

     (to) enchant — charm; delight

     figure — human form; physical appearance ,

     glamour — alluring beauty, or charm, often with sex appeal

     Paragraph -  which is done according to the rules of paragraph writing,

     perception — power of becoming aware of something through the senses,

     realistically - faithfully conforming to what is real

     Viewers - persons watching films, television programmers, etc.

EXERCISES

1. Write a list paragraph on each of the following topics:

       a) Your favorite hobbies

       b) Essential qualities of a political leader

       c) Effects of cheating in the examination

       d) Causes of drug addiction

       e) Parts of a paragraph

2. Read the following paragraphs and say which one is developed by listing. Explain why you think so:

Bamboo

     (a) Bamboo is a sturdy and adaptable plant, able to break through rocky soil. It sends up its first shoots in the springtime after a rain. It can grow as much as several feet in a night. There are about 1,200 varieties of this plant. It is used for a variety of things including food, construction materials, clothing, paper and shoes.

Bamboo

     (b) Bamboo is used for four main purposes. Firstly, it is used as a construction material in

making fences and houses. Secondly, it is used in the paper mills to produce paper. Thirdly, it is used in some countries to make shoes. Fourthly, processed bamboo shoots are also used as a popular food in some countries. Bamboo is used mainly for these four things.