Paragraph
Table of Contents
• Paragraph…………………………………………………………………
…………………………………
–
Definition……………………………………………………………………………
…………………………….
– Different Types of
Paragraphs……………………………………………………………………………
• Narrative…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………..
• Descriptive……………………………………………………………….............................................
..............
• Process…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………..
• Classification……………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………..
• Definition………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………….
– Different Parts of a
Paragraphs………………………………………………………………………….
• Topic
Sentence………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………….…..
–
Definition…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Definition of Paragraph
• A paragraph is made of a few sentences that
talk about ONE single topic. You should
have at least five to seven sentences in
your paragraph.
• Your topic can have some evidence or
examples to support it, but these should all
be related to each other. Do not introduce
any new topic.
• Each paragraph should have coherence
and cohesion.
Different Parts of a Paragraph:
Topic Sentence
A Topic Sentence is a sentence that tells the
reader what your paragraph is about. You can
write your topic sentence in the beginning,
middle, or end of your paragraph. If you are a
new writer, it might be easier for you to start
your paragraph with your topic sentence and
take it from there.
Remember this formula:
Topic Sentence= Topic + Controlling Idea
Controlling Idea
• As the name suggests, controlling idea
controls your thoughts and ideas. The
controlling idea tells your reader what
specific aspect of this topic you are going
to write about.
Example of Topic Sentence
and Controlling Idea
• Look at the following word:
Raw Vegetables
• If I say raw vegetable, nobody will know what I will write about raw
vegetables. I could write about how they are planted, what they are used
for, different recipes calling for raw vegetables, the vitamins in them, etc.
• By writing a controlling idea, I can clarify what I am talking about.
Look at the following example:
Raw vegetables might not be as healthy as we thought they were.
• Here I made it clear that I am going to talk about the health related aspect of
raw vegetables. So, my topic is “raw vegetables” and my controlling idea is
“might not be as healthy as we thought they were”. I also started my
sentence with a shocking claim that raw vegetables might actually be
harmful!
Different Parts of a Paragraph:
Supporting Details
If your paragraph has five sentences,
usually the three sentences after the Topic
Sentence are called the Supporting Details
(Sentences). These sentences give
explanation, evidence, and reason for your
claim.
Example of Supporting Sentence
• Take the example of our paragraph about Raw
Vegetables. I can write three supporting
sentences bringing evidence to support my
claim that raw vegetables might not be as
healthy for you.
Read the first supporting sentence below:
We all agree that raw vegetables are full of vitamins and
minerals, but some of these raw vegetables can also
carry toxic ingredients that can cause severe harm to
your health if you don’t cook them.
Different Parts of A Paragraph:
Concluding Sentence
The last sentence in your paragraph is called
a Concluding Sentence. The Concluding
Sentence does NOT introduce anything
new. It either summarizes what you already
talked about or paraphrases the Topic
Sentence.
Example of Concluding Sentence
• Raw vegetables have always been
considered one of our best friends when
it comes to our diet, but we should
always familiarize ourselves with the
ingredients inside them and the best way
to eat them: cooked or uncooked.
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.
Process Paragraph
A Process Paragraph gives your reader a
step by step of how to do things, for
example, cooking, building, or assembling
something. The kinds of verbs you use in
this paragraph, should be imperative.
Imperative verbs are the base form of the
verbs used to address the person in front
of you, such as drink, wash, grate, etc.
Coherence vs. Cohesion
• When you write an essay, it should be both cohesive and
coherent. An essay is cohesive if the parts in it are linked
together. An essay is coherent if it makes sense.
Compare the following sentences
• I am a doctor. A doctor works in a hospital. It is a place
where you cure sick people. Patients get medication from a
pharmacy. (this paragraph makes no sense-although it
seems like the words in it refer to the same things. So, it is
cohesive, but not coherent.)
• I am a doctor. I work in a hospital nearby. This hospital is a
modern one with good facilities. Our main goal is to serve and
care for sick people. At times patients need love and care
more than medication. (This paragraph is both cohesive and
coherent).
