This essay explores the distinctions and similarities between writing essays and paragraphs. It discusses how paragraphs are focused on a single idea and are generally shorter, while essays encompass multiple paragraphs and allow for the exploration of various ideas around a central theme. The essay highlights the structural components of both forms, such as topic sentences and supporting details, and explains how the development of a paragraph can lead to a full essay. Additionally, it reflects on the author’s personal learning experiences, including improvements in writing organization, self-awareness of grammar mistakes, and the evolution of their writing process over the course.
In my opinion, writing an essay is less difficult as writing a paragraph because, a paragraph is simply centered on one idea only and is generally much shorter than an essay, which usually consists of many paragraphs but, In an essay, you could explore many ideas while talking about one general topic. In a paragraph, you would write about only one topic, because paragraphs are shorter, and if you change topics, you would start a new paragraph… part of the nature of the concept.
An essay is similar to a paragraph because:
1. A paragraph has a topic sentence.
2. The supporting details of a paragraph are similar to that of paragraphs in an essay. 3. A paragraph can also have a conclusive sentence.
Basically, paragraph is a miniature form of an essay. How does an essay and a paragraph differ? An essay is a formal writing sample of a given topic composed of multiple paragraphs. The largest difference between the two types of writing is that the essay usually involves more preparation work. Traditional essays involve five paragraphs, in which the first serves as an introduction and includes a thesis statement. The subsequent paragraphs develop and explore the thesis through the use of evidence and analysis in its explanation . The concluding paragraph summarizes the findings that have been presented in the essay and has proven the thesis statement in a lucid and reasonable manner. Traditionally this is how an essay breaks down. A paragraph is shorter and does not have as many requirements. There is a topic sentence to open the paragraph that defines its purpose and the remaining sentences in the paragraph serve to support and enhance that topic sentence. To think of it in a comparative way, the topic sentence is the thesis statement of a paragraph. The development of a paragraph can lead to an essay, and normally, this is how good essays begin. Roughly, I think this is what is meant by the difference between an “essay” and “paragraph.”
What did I learn myself being a writer working on the essay? I learned about how I organize and develop paragraphs and teach myself to become self-aware of writing mistakes that will make me a better writer in the future. The assignment helped me achieve my goals by making me aware of grammar mistakes in writing, improving my skills utilizing the writing process steps and self-evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in my writings.
What I have learned in the past ten weeks about writing is how to define the concepts of a paragraph, develop expository paragraphs in various rhetorical models, how to use Standard American English rules of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics, summarize and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in student’s own writing and writing of others and last but not least, parts of speech. Writing has really helped me in school as well as my personal life because it helps me see these blocks of text not only as a way of organizing information both for myself and for other readers Also, it encourages me to think about how I organize and develop paragraphs and teaching myself to become self-aware of writing mistakes that will make me a better writer in the future.
My approach to writing has changed since the beginning of this course in a way that I never thought it would. To take any type of topic, write about it and “pour the story out” in a way that the reader can understand and feel those same emotions. also, to take thoughts that were already in my head and apply them into paragraph form was another challenge for me but, I overcame that later on in the course.
My three midterm goals were to; first, “spend 20 minutes brainstorming to generate ideas” second, “allow for a minimum of two hours to write an outline and complete the introduction to the first draft”. And last, “complete the assignment in three days with one day set aside to edit and make revisions”. Yes, I have met those midterm goals.
References
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2. Coulter, P. (2008). Year-Round Schooling On The Rise. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Dateline database.
3. Frost, P. (2008). Parents oppose calendar change. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Dateline database.
4. Lyons, L. (2002). Can we learn from year-round schooling? The Gallup Poll Tuesday Briefing. Retrieved from Research Library database.
