Paragraph
A paragraph is a set of
related sentences
having only one idea
embodied in a topic
sentence.
It consists of a topic
sentence and a supporting
sentence or sentences.
Types of
Paragraphs
Physical versus Conceptual
Explicit versus Implicit
Deductive, Inductive, Hybrid
(Louis Trimble)
Physical
Paragraph
• refers to that amount of
information relating to the
indentation.
Physical Type of Paragraph
1. Recount
Used to relate what happened
in a particular situation.
Generally used to provide a
background to some other
form of writing.
2. Description
Used to write about how something
looks, sounds, smells, tastes or feels. It
requires you to provide details of the
most important features and use
appropriate adjectives to describe the
attributes and qualities of whatever
you are describing.
3. Classification
In this type of paragraph, separate
items are grouped into categories
according to shared characteristics.
Depending on your subject area and
the particular question you are
answering, you may be asked to
classify people, organisms, things or
ideas.
4. Definition
Providing a simple definition is
the starting point for a
definition type paragraph
(usually it is also the topic
sentence of the paragraph).
Conceptual
Paragraph
• consists of all the information
chosen by the writer to
develop a generalization,
whether this is stated or
implied.
Conceptual Type of Paragraph
1. Argument
an argument type of
paragraph presents a point
of view and provides
evidence for the point of
view taken.
2. Explanation
This type of paragraph is required
when you are asked to describe
how something works or is done.
Generally is involves presenting a
series of steps in chronological
order.
3. Comparison and / or contrast:
This type of paragraph is
used to write about
similarities and / or
differences.
4. Illustration
In this type of paragraph
specific examples are used
to clarify and support a
general statement.
Patterns of Paragraph
Development
Deductive Pattern
A paragraph whose topic
sentence is stated in the
beginning.
Patterns of Paragraph
Development
Inductive Pattern
A paragraph whose topic
sentence is stated in the
end.
Patterns of Paragraph
Development
Deductive-Inductive Pattern
A paragraph whose topic
sentence is stated in the
end.
Patterns of Paragraph
Development
Inductive-Deductive Pattern
A paragraph whose topic
sentence is stated in the
middle
Patterns of Paragraph
Development
Hinted Pattern
A paragraph whose topic
sentence is not stated,
but implied
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Definition
A paragraph that
states the meaning
of a word.
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Description
A paragraph that states
the characteristics or
qualities of a person, a
place, or a thing
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Narration
A paragraph that tells a
story
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Exemplification
A paragraph that
illustrates or states an
example/s or an
instance/s
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Causation
A paragraph that states
a cause/s and/or an
effect/s of something
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Comparison
A paragraph that states
some similarities
between/among persons,
places, ideas, or things
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Contrast
A paragraph that states
some differences
between/among persons,
places, ideas, or things
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Analogy
A paragraph that states
some similarities
between two unlike
things
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Elimination
Aor Negationthat states what
paragraph
a thing is not; it is usually a
list of negative statements
pertaining to something
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Repetition
A paragraph that states the
same idea within the
paragraph
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Rationalization
A paragraph that states
reason/s for or against
something, e.g., a
proposition or an idea.
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Question and Answer
A paragraph that is developed by
means of a question, series of
questions, or question/s with a
corresponding answer/s
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Classification
A paragraph that states
the kinds, types, classes,
or groupings of
something
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by Analysis
A paragraph that states
the parts, elements, or
components of
something
Methods of Paragraph
Development
Paragraph by a Combination of Methods
A paragraph that is
developed by combining
two or more methods
