9. The SPACE Paragraph

The Space Paragraph

Very often we have to describe in writing the location of a place, how a place is laid out or how a set of objects are connected.  By spatial description we can show the relation that exists between two or several objects.  In this unit we will look at some of the ways of describing spatial relationships.  When the subject of a paragraph is a physical object, it is important to choose a consistent spatial order, for example, from inside to outside, back to front, left to right, bottom to top, etc.

Alexander the Great

Whether he was moved simply by curiosity or for thirst for conquest, one of the most fascinating and controversial figure in world history was Alexander the Great. From his first battle, the capture of Athens in 338 B.C., until his death thirty two years 1ater from a fever in Babylon, Alexander had personally led his armies across most of his known world.  Like an enormous harvesting machine, Alexander and his armies moved from his home in Macedon south into Greece, across the sea to the lands east of the Mediterranean, and down into Egypt. Consuming the wealth and experiences of the east whi1e, at the same time, spreading the language and culture of Greece, he crossed the ancient Persian empire through central Asia and on into India, his conquests including large portions of the three continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia. His empire was so vast that on his death it was divided into five parts, each under the administration of one of his genera1s. Alexander is regarded in legend and history as both hero and ruthless conqueror, with mothers in central Asia still naming their sons after him but also using his name, when children misbehave, to instill fear in their heart.

By spatial description we can show the relation that exists between two or several objects.

In the paragraph above, the writer describes the existing relationship among several places:  Alexander the great moved from one place to another spreading the Macedon Empire.  In this sense, we can see that these places are “connected”.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart began to travel since he was a little boy, because his father wanted the world to know the talent of his son.  In 1762, his father took him to Munich, Germany, to perform in the Court of Maximilian III. Then, they continued the tour visiting Ulm, Ludwigsburg, and Bruchsal. After performing in these cities, he went to West Germany where he played the piano in cities such as Cologne, Bonn, and Koblenz. Two years later, he went to Paris, France, where he gave a public concert. After giving another successful concert in Paris, his father decided to take him to England, where he performed for King George III and Queen Sophia Charlotte, in London. After that, he gave another concert in Kent, and later he returned back to France. He gave more concerts in many different cities in Europe, in countries such as Belgium, Netherlands, and Switzerland. After the dead of his mother in France in 1778, he went back to Salzburg where he worked as the court organist. Finally, he Settled in Vienna, where he composed his greatest concertos and many of his most important operas such as The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, and Don Giovanni. The fact that Mozart performed throughout Europe, gave him the experience he needed to become into what he became: the greatest and most talented musician of the world.

(Flores, L., 2004)

What words or phrases does the writer use to make the connection?

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT – SPACE paragraph

Write an outline FOR A SPACE PARAGRAPH.   AFTER WRITING YOUR OUTLINE, START DEVELOPING YOUR PARAGRAPH.

TO INTRODUCE YOUR TERMINATOR USE: AS YOU CAN SEE, CLEARLY, ETC. 

REMEMBER TO INCLUDE EXPLANATIONS OF DETAILS (WHY AND HOW) AND REMEMBER TO USE WORDS “TO CONNECT” THE PLACES.

Outline the SPACE paragraph (USE ONE IDEA)

	Topic sentence:
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
	Conclusion:

WHO IS ROBERT FROST?

THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, ROBERT FROST MOVED FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.  LOOK IN GOOGLE MAPS A MAP THAT DEPICT THE PLACES FROST LIVED IN.  THEN, WRITE A SPACE PARAGRAPH DESCRIBING FROM WHERE TO WHERE FROST MOVED.


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