2.15. Types of Paragraphs

There may be descriptive, process, opinion, comparison/ contrast, problem/ solution paragraphs.

Descriptive Paragraph explains how someone or something looks or feels.

There are three new chapters in the second edition and the chapter on monetary and income analysis has been completely rewritten. Readers will find new chapters on the concept of aggregate equilibrium in the economy, development economics and Marxism.

Process Paragraph explains how something is done. It looks into the steps you need to follow to complete an activity.

To make a bar graph, one should show either horizontal bars or vertical columns. Different colours, shading, or cross-hatching may help differentiate among the types of data each bar or column represents.

Opinion Paragraph is an idea or belief about a particular subject. Facts are used to support opinion.

Adam Smith saw the economy as made up of millions of individuals and small businesses guided by an invisible hand. To Smith the economy was self-regulating structure.

Comparison/ Contrast Paragraph compare two or more things, focusing on similarities and differences.

Statements in economics may be either positive or normative. A normative statement may or may not be untrue; however it cannot be demonstrated to be correct or incorrect by reference to the facts. A positive statement, in contrast, is one which can be tested by reference to the facts.

Problem/ Solution Paragraphs explain a problem and propose solutions. In some cases several paragraphs are used to describe a problem and its solution(s).

Implementing this program will help ABO, Inc., reduce its health-care costs while building stronger employee relations by offering employees a desirable benefit.

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2.16. Descriptive exercise

Describe the bar chart below showing profits from sales of a retail company in euros. Use the key vocabulary and structures, adding some reasoning if necessary (the order of words is free):

The bar chart describes …; figures; sales; a slight increase; a drop against …; on the other hand; however; respectively; The figures for … may suggest that; From the evidence we may conclude that; The chart shows …

Consult SUPPLEMENT 1 if you need more synonyms describing increases and decreases in the figures.

Use not more than 100 words.

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

Bar Chart: Profits for the year (€)

2.17. Comparison exercise

In the paragraph fill in an appropriate conjunction from those shown below.

however       likewise       another difference        similarly       whereas       also        while        but         on the other hand

Even though Arizona and Rhode Island are both states of the U.S., they are different in many ways. For example, the physical size of each state is different. Arizona is large, having an area of 114,000 square miles, Rhode Island is only about a tenth the size, having an area of only 1,214 square miles.   is in the size of the population of each state. Arizona has about four million people living in it,    Rhode Island has less than one million. The two states also differ in the kinds of natural environments that each has. For example, Arizona is a very dry state, consisting of large desert areas that do not receive much rainfall every year.   Rhode Island is located in a temperate zone and receives an average of 44 inches of rain per year. In addition,  Arizona is a landlocked state and thus has no seashore, Rhode Island lies on the Atlantic Ocean and does have a significant coastline.

2.18. Write two paragraphs:

(a) One contrast paragraph of at least seven sentences.

(b) One comparison paragraph with seven or more sentences.

2.19. Write a descriptive paragraph on market economy.

2.20. Write a descriptive paragraph on economic systems.

2.21. Write a process paragraph on mind-mapping.

2.22. Write an opinion paragraph on command economy.

2.23. Write an opinion paragraph on mixed economy.

2.24. Write a comparison/ contrast paragraph on mixed economy vs. market economy.

2.25. Write a comparison/ contrast paragraph on command economy vs. market economy.

2.26. Write a problem/ solution paragraph. Topic is optional.

When you write an essay, you should use vocabulary signals to enhance the structure of your essay.

2.27. Unity and Cohesion in Paragraphs

Unity in writing is expressed in the connection of all ideas to a single topic. In an essay there must be some relationship between the thesis statement (the topic) and all other ideas expressed. Details should support the ideas in each paragraph.

Coherence is related to unity. Ideas that are arranged in a clear and logical way are coherent.

The main points should be logically connected. A good academic essay contains words and phrases that introduce the main points, connect them and focus on different statements and details, making the text united and coherent and easily understood by readers. Such words are called transitions.

Study the table below.

Use the transition words and phrases when you write a paragraph or an essay.

2.28

Classification	Chronology	Opinion	Comparison	Contrast
main kinds of; major kinds of; basic kinds of; fundamental; important; significant; unimportant; insignificant; dissimilar; contradictory; opposing; contrasting; clearly distinguishable; easily distinguished; differences; similarities; divide; classify; break into; methods; parts; divisions; categories; classes; types; sources; origins; qualities; aspects; factors; characteristics …	before; after; next; then; subsequently; (ever) since; first; second; …; while; when; afterwards; at last; at once; previously; meanwhile; at the same time; in (month; year); on (date; day); at the turn of (century); prior to; previously; Results in conclusion; in summary; finally; ultimately; therefore; to conclude; to summarize; to sum up; accordingly; as a result; consequently; hence; thus; so; …	I think; it seems that; in sb’s opinion; To my mind; seemingly; accordingly; from sb’s point of view; It appears to be …; in sb’s view; as … puts it;… Prediction probable result; project; projected; projection; prospect; It is likely that; foresee; foretell; forecast; most likely consequences; outcome; the next step; the future implications of; presume; presumption; …	likewise; like; alike; compared to; similarly; similar to; as … as; so … as; and; correspond to; correspondingly; resemble; almost the same as; in like manner; to have much/ little in common; to be parallel; equally; in the same way (as); by the same token; again; beyond compare; … Examples for example; for instance; in general; generally; specifically; in particular; …	differ from; however; otherwise; still; nevertheless; even so; dissimilarly; different from; less than; more than; faster than; in contrast; by contrast; unlike; in opposition; on the contrary; on the other hand; although; while; but; the reverse of; mutually exclusive; in spite of; less vital than; less crucial for; all the same; alternatively; instead; rather; …

PART 3

READING AND VOCABULARY SECTION

MODULE 5. Business Cycle