can someone help me write a paragraph

Question

The black death had long lasting effects on Europe, as well as the rest of the world. Do you think the current Coronavirus pandemic will have long lasting effects on the United States and the world? Predict two effects that it might have.

Answer 1

For explaining two effects in one paragraph, I'd look for two similar effects that would make sense to put together in one paragraph. Your argument will be easier to make if the reader doesn't have to work too hard. For example, you could look at two effects on European/world culture, comparing, say, the effects of BP on literature and how we may see that reflected in American literature (a few pieces have come out recently on the relevance of Bocaccio's Decameron, which was written abut the Plague), and the larger theme across cultural works that death was the great equalizer (you might argue that today, we see the same thing with a number of celebrities dying of COVID).

The basic principle for a 1-paragraph argument: Tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them. And then tell them what you told them.

Sentence 1: Explain the two arguments you're going to make (e.g., "We see the effects of the Black Plague on European literature and the wider cultural theme that death came for everyone, regardless of class or station.")

Sentences 2–5ish: Explain the first argument, with one to two sentences describing the effect in Plague times, and then another one to two referencing how the effect is (or isn't!) being felt today. Citing a trusted source like the NYT or NPR may be good to prove your argument.

Sentences 6–9ish: Same thing, second argument.

Sentence 10ish: Concluding sentence that ties things together (e.g., "As we can see with these examples, the details may change, but the overall impact is the same.")

Answer 2

I use a very brief outline to do pre-writing planning. Then all you have to do is write out the paragraph in complete sentences. Here's a start to planning your paragraph.

Topic sentence: The Coronavirus will have two expected long-lasting effects on the United States and the world.

Detail #1. The first effect will be ____.

In a sentence or two, explain why you think that will be a change to life or impact the culture.

Detail #2. The second effect will be ____.

In a sentence or two, explain why you think that will be a change to life or impact the culture.

Conclusion sentence: The impact of the Coronavirus will certainly lead to long-lasting changes in the United States and the world.

A paragraph is a shorter version of an essay, so if you have to write an essay, you start with these same parts and expand each one into separate paragraphs with more explanation, logical reasoning, statistical data, or support from citations. An essay is also built from a thesis. In this case, your topic sentence is very similar to a thesis because it expresses an opinion or takes a stand that requires you to explain your ideas.

I hope that gives you some structure to start your paragraph.

Sue Hegg