A healthful diet and regular exercise not only improves health, but lowers health care costs.


What kinds of supporting paragraphs—examples, details, definitions, analysis, division and classification, process analysis, comparison-contrast, cause-effect, and argument—are appropriate to support this topic? Explain your answer.

Here are some websites that will give you some ideas to use as YOU write up YOUR assignment:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/classification.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/process.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/argument.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/examples.htm

To support the topic of how a healthful diet and regular exercise can improve health and lower healthcare costs, several types of supporting paragraphs can be used. Let's examine each type and explain how they can be applied to the topic:

1. Examples: Providing specific examples of individuals who have benefited from a healthful diet and regular exercise can illustrate the positive impact on health and healthcare costs. For instance, citing success stories of individuals who have lost weight, reduced their risk of chronic diseases, and consequently reduced their medical expenses can help support the main idea.

2. Details: Presenting detailed information about the specific benefits and outcomes of adopting a healthful diet and exercise routine can strengthen the argument. This can include detailing the reduction in healthcare expenses for those who maintain a healthy lifestyle compared to those who do not.

3. Definitions: Clarifying and defining key terms related to health, nutrition, and exercise can enhance the reader's understanding and bring credibility to the argument. Defining terms like "healthful diet," "regular exercise," and "healthcare costs" can provide a solid foundation for the supporting paragraphs.

4. Analysis: Conducting an analytical examination of scientific studies, research findings, or statistical data related to the impact of a healthful diet and regular exercise on health and healthcare costs can reinforce the argument. Analyzing the data that demonstrates the correlation between healthy habits and reduced medical expenses can offer a persuasive case.

5. Division and classification: Categorizing the various ways in which a healthful diet and regular exercise improve health and reduce healthcare costs can strengthen the supporting paragraphs. Dividing the benefits into sections like weight management, disease prevention, improved immune system, and decreased medical interventions can help structure the argument effectively.

6. Process analysis: Outlining the step-by-step process of adopting a healthful diet and exercise routine can provide practical guidance for the readers and support the main idea. Explaining how to create meal plans, incorporate physical activity into daily routines, and set realistic goals can be informative and persuasive.

7. Comparison-contrast: Contrasting the costs and consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle with the benefits and savings of a healthful diet and regular exercise can highlight the significance of the topic. Comparing the expenses incurred by individuals with chronic illnesses due to unhealthy lifestyle choices to the lower healthcare costs for those practicing healthy habits can strengthen the argument.

8. Cause-effect: Demonstrating the cause-and-effect relationship between a healthful diet, regular exercise, improved health, and reduced healthcare costs can provide a strong foundation for the supporting paragraphs. Explaining how unhealthy habits lead to chronic diseases, increased medical interventions, and higher healthcare expenses, while illustrating how healthy habits can prevent these issues, can be convincing.

9. Argument: Presenting a logical and persuasive argument that directly supports the main idea is essential. Clearly stating the reasons and evidence for why a healthful diet and regular exercise lead to improved health and lower healthcare costs is crucial to convince the reader.

In summary, supporting paragraphs for the topic of how a healthful diet and regular exercise can improve health and lower healthcare costs can include examples, details, definitions, analysis, division and classification, process analysis, comparison-contrast, cause-effect, and argument. Utilizing a combination of these types of paragraphs can effectively convey the importance and benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.