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.
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