A PARAGRAPH is a group of
sentences about one topic. It contains
a topic sentence, supporting details
and sometimes a concluding
sentence. The sentences follow one
another from the beginning to the
end of the paragraph. A paragraph is
usually part of a longer piece of
writing, such as a letter or essay.
TOPIC SENTENCE
The topic sentence is usually the
first sentence of the paragraph. It
states the main idea of the
paragraph. A good topic
sentence tells the reader exactly
what the rest of the paragraph
will be about.
SUPPORTING SENTENCES
The supporting sentences are the
middle sentences of the paragraph.
They provide details such as
explanations or examples that
expand on or support the topic
sentence. Supporting sentences are
sometimes connected by transition
words or phrases.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
A concluding sentence is
sometimes used in longer
paragraphs to sum up the ideas
presented. It expresses the same
idea as the topic sentence but in
different words. It can start with a
transition such as clearly or in
conclusion.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH
A good paragraph has the
characteristics of unity, coherence and
emphasis. In unity a paragraph must be
unified on its structure. In coherence a
paragraph must establish continuity
within or towards the other paragraph.
In emphasis the idea within the
paragraph should be given importance
and made to stand.
Unity
A paragraph is a unit of composition
that established oneness because it
develops a central and main idea on
its structure. The entire paragraph
must be unified on its structure and
all the sentences within the
paragraph should focus on the topic
sentence.
Coherence
Coherence is considered as the
continuity between as well as
within the paragraph. It is very
important to arrange and link the
sentences between the paragraphs
to be able to make the readers
follow the thought or the idea that
want to be implied.
Emphasis
Emphasis is the principle of the paragraph
composition in which the important ideas are
made to stand. In here it is very important that the
main points of the writer should be evident inside
the paragraph. Having an emphasis can be
achieved by using some devices such as the use of
emphasis by proportion, emphasis by pause and
emphasis by position. In the emphasis by
proportion, the subordinate ideas should be given
less substance while ideas which have greater
importance should be given more substance.
The type of paragraph you
use will depend on your
purpose for writing. To
entertain readers or express
themselves, writers use
narration or description.
NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH
In a Narrative Paragraph, you will share
your story or what happened with your
reader. Again, to get your readers
involved in your story in a better way,
try using the Journalists’ Questions:
why, who, where, what, when, where.
Try to write the events in your story
chronologically (in order of their
occurrence).
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
In a Descriptive Paragraph, you should try to
engage your reader by answering the
Journalists’ Questions: why, who, where,
what, when, where. If applicable, you should
also describe how you, as the writer, felt.
You should use active voice (normal) verbs
in this kind of paragraph. In sentences with
active voice verbs we know who the doer of
the action is. For example: George washed
my car yesterday.
EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPHS
Expository paragraphs are used for
explanation. They can list facts, give
directions, or explain ideas. Writers also
use expository paragraphs to define
terms, make comparisons, and show
cause and effect. Since information in
expository writing can usually be put
into categories, it often uses logical
order.
PERSUASIVE PARAGRAPHS
Persuasive paragraphs are used to
share an opinion about a particular
subject. Writers of persuasive
paragraphs try to convince readers to
agree with the opinions in the
paragraphs and, sometimes, to take
action. A persuasive paragraph often
uses order of importance.
