MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Paragraph transitions: (recall the tight transition/loose transition handout.) Think pearls beaded upon a string. Think train cars coupled. This UCSB guide is helpful with words that serve nicely as transition elements.  This writing guide emphasizes the value of repeating key words as a transition strategy. Now, think about transitions between sentences WITHIN paragraphs as another way to achieve cohesion.

"Meh" paragraph
Plastic and paper cups pose problems for recycling. Ceramic cups are very energy intensive to produce. Recycling seems environmentally-sound.  Paper does not degrade deep within most landfills and the plastic coating is also difficult.  Not all plastic can be recycled.  You need to check the bottom of the container.  Landfills are increasingly full.  There is a huge "patch of garbage" in the Pacific Ocean.

Better paragraph
Paper and plastic both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full.  There are several huge "patches of garbage" in the the world's Oceans.

Even better paragraph (can you see the re-thinking of content as well as sentence-level revision)
Paper and plastic both pose disposal problems.  First, not all plastic can be recycled. Check the bottom of the plastic container. "No. 1" and "No. 2" types can be recycled by most facilities. Styrofoam is not recycled at all in most US facilities. Second, paper does not degrade deep within most landfills because of low oxygen conditions. The plastic coating also interferes with decay. Landfills are increasingly full, with paper and plastic part of the waste stream. Not all plastic is recycled or landfilled. According to oceanographer and sea-activist Charles Moore, huge "patches of garbage" float in all oceans, as evidence of these broken waste chains and the environmental harm posed by plastic. See this 2015 image of the Texas-sized Pacific garbage "gyre" here. (REFERRAL LINK, here and perhaps on Moore's name to his foundation.)

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A few grammar, punctuation, and style conventions for you to keep in mind:

1. punctuation with quote marks (nice summary  here at Grammar Monster)
2. colon and semi-colon use (start here with The Oatmeal's take)
3. That-which: which takes a comma; that does not! See this  handout on choosing which and that.
4. empty subjects DRAFT HANDOUT.
5. hyphens are little and used with words; dashes are longer and used between words. GrammarGirl's guide is helpful:
   
   1. setting off appositives (dashes NOT hyphens; use with caution)
      1. Brian May -- lead guitarist for Queen -- holds a doctorate in physics.
      2. Brain May -- PhD in astrophysics -- was the guitarist for the rock group Queen.
   2. some words where hyphens are helpful
      • fast-sailing ship and fast sailing-ship
      • The slow moving people trundled down the street.
      • Buy this little used car!