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Paragraph Writing:

Paragraph: It consists of several sentences that are grouped together. These sentences together discuss one main subject. It usually consists of four parts, and we will try to understand them.  

But first and foremost why making sensible Paragraph is important in transcription?

There are basically two reasons for making paragraphs: The first being it looks good, otherwise the whole script would look like block of letters. Secondly, it is easier for the reader to read and understand ideas put in paragraphs. It makes more sense to them. Thus a perfect transcript has paragraphs that put together sentences conveying particular ideas or details.

Eg: Ask yourself what looks more inviting to you to read and understand?

YOUTH

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind. “It is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of deep springs of life. “Youth means temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. “This often exists in a man of 60 more than in a boy of 20. Nobody grows older merely by a number of years. We grow older by deserting our ideals. “Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. “Worry, fear, self-distrust bow the heart and turn the spirit back to dust. “Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. “In the centre of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, courage and power from man and from the Infinite, so long are you young. “When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20; but as long as the aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope that you may die young at 80.

Or

YOUTH

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind. “It is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of deep springs of life.

“Youth means temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. “This often exists in a man of 60 more than in a boy of 20. Nobody grows older merely by a number of years. We grow older by deserting our ideals.

“Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. “Worry, fear, self-distrust bow the heart and turn the spirit back to dust.

“Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living.

“In the centre of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, courage and power from man and from the Infinite, so long are you young.

“When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20; but as long as the aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope that you may die young at 80.

Note: If you have the time please read this short essay title “YOUTH” by Samuel Ullman. Two notable comments regarding this essay are: “Anyone worth his salt in Japanese business knows and uses this essay.” said one long-time Japanese observer. “It is our Popeye’s spinach.” said Tatsuro Ishida, who was the deputy chairperson of Fujisankei Communications Group.

As noted above, a paragraph has four basic components:

1)     Topic Sentence: One sentence that states the point, idea, or opinion.

2)     Supporting Sentences: The Supporting Sentences form the body of the paragraph which supports the Topic Sentence.

3)     Concluding Sentence: The Concluding Sentence reinforces the idea or opinion and restates the main idea.

4)     Transitional Sentence: The Transitional Sentences prepares the reader for the following paragraph.

Three Basic Principles of Paragraph Structure:

a)     Unity: The first and foremost principle of Paragraph Structure. Just as a sentence delivers one single thought; a paragraph should convey one topic or idea, but not more than one idea. The theme of the paragraph is expressed often in the first sentence, i.e., Topic Sentence.

b)    Order: The second important principle of Paragraph Structure is Order. This means logical sequencing of thoughts or development of the subject, or the main idea. Events must be described in the order of their occurrence, and all ideas should be connected with the leading idea, and arranged accordingly.

c)     Variety: The last but not the least principle of Paragraph Structure is Variety. Basically a paragraph should be interesting to read and not monotonous, the lengths of the paragraphs formed should vary, and not always be of the same sentence structure.

Well, as a Transcriber, you may think, how can we take care of Order and Variety when the speaker is in charge of doing that? Well, at least, if you consider Unity in paragraph making then the transcript would turn out more readable and understandable.