Writing a Paragraph
A paragraph is a group of sentences dealing with one topic. The first line
of the paragraph is usually indented to show that it is the beginning of a new paragraph.
The paragraph should have three components: a topic sentence to indicate the subject that will be
developed, sufficient evidence to prove the topic sentence, and a concluding sentence.
There are three kinds of paragraphs.
- Expository
- Narrative
- Descriptive
Expository paragraph
An expository paragraph is one in which the writer develops his topic sentence.
A topic sentence is the point that the writer wants to make in his paragraph. For
example, the writer’s topic sentence could be All Canadian citizens
should exercise their right to vote in a federal election. In this case,
the paragraph must present evidence to show why all Canadian citizens should exercise
their right to vote.
The paragraph structure should be (1) topic sentence (thesis statement), (2) evidence
(details, statistics, definitions, comparison or contrast, quotes, examples, or
a combination), and (3) concluding sentence. There should be sufficient evidence
to prove the topic sentence, so the length of the paragraph will depend on your
topic sentence.
All Canadian citizens should exercise their right to vote in a federal election. Unless they cast their ballots, they cannot complain about the policies of the elected government. Quite often the vocal minority, not the silent majority, will decide which political party wins an election. Seats can be won or lost on a single vote, so every vote counts. Unfortunately, the voter turnout is declining each year since 1988, when 75 percent of eligible voters participated. In the last federal election in 2008, only 60 percent of the voters participated. In this situation the elected government does not necessarily represent the majority of Canadians. Unless all Canadian citizens exercise their right to vote, Canada could lose the democracy for which so many lives have been sacrificed on the battlefields of Europe.
Narrative paragraph
A narrative paragraph relates a sequence of events in the order in which they happened.
The youth knew he should not enter the abandoned house. He had been warned about
the dangers of derelict houses, but he could not resist the temptation. Glancing
around to make sure that no one was watching him, he slipped through the doorway.
He climbed the darkened, creaky stairs and opened a door off the corridor. Inside,
it took his eyes a while to adjust to the darkness. As the objects in the room came
into focus, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine, his hair began to rise on
his head and his heart beat wildly as he panicked and turned quickly to exit the
room. Too late, he heard the door slam behind him.
Descriptive paragraph
A descriptive paragraph is one in which the writer describes something, such as
a scene, a building, or a person. The writer will use vivid details to describe
the thing or person that he saw, so that the reader will be able to recreate that
image in his mind.
On the back of the old, worn corduroy love seat was flung a red plaid shirt,
the kind worn by a lumberjack. To the left of this shirt were two opened boxes
of crackers tilted on their side with crumbs scattered over the stained cushion. On
the armrest lay a pair of Bermuda shorts to dry from the adjacent rusty hot water radiator. A crumpled army blanket doubled as a pillow during the day.
On the laminate floor in front
of a coffee table strewn with empty beer bottles were old pizza crusts, dirty socks in balls, and empty pizza boxes. This was truly a university student's room.
A paragraph must have unity and coherence
to be effective.
Unity
For a paragraph to have unity, it must deal with only one topic. If, for example,
the paragraph is dealing with capital punishment acting as a deterrent to crime,
it should deal only with evidence to show how it will act as a deterrent.
Note the sentence which destroys the unity of the following paragraph.
Anyone can learn to put more punch into his paragraphs. This may be done by using
descriptive phrases to create vividness for the reader. The model
paragraph that the teacher read to the class had vivid description. Secondly,
the writer could use a wide and varied range of transitional devices to make his
paragraph coherent and to make his sentences flow smoothly together. The writer
could also use various methods of development, such as supplying details and examples,
to create emphasis. Finally, the writer should create unity throughout the paragraph
by making his sentences relate to the topic sentence. By following these points
the writer should be able to create an effective paragraph.
Coherence
A paragraph has coherence if all the sentences run together smoothly. That is, the
idea in one sentence should be linked to the idea in the second sentence so that
the ideas flow together.
There are a number of transitional devices you can use in a sentence
to create coherence in a paragraph.
| Relationship | Transitional word |
|---|
|
Space
|
Nearby, next to, here, around the corner, to the right
|
|
Contrast
|
However, on the other hand, otherwise, whereas, but, although
|
|
Compare
|
Similarly, in the same way
|
|
Addition
|
Furthermore, also, in addition, moreover, likewise, too
|
|
Time
|
Finally, meanwhile, suddenly, previously, afterward
|
|
Cause and effect
|
Consequently, therefore, hence, because, as a result
|
|
Example
|
For example, that is, for instance, to illustrate
|
|
Summary
|
In conclusion, finally, consequently, in other words
|
Paragraph without connectives
Anyone can learn to put more punch into his paragraphs. This may be done by using
descriptive phrases to create vividness for the reader. The writer could use a wide
and varied range of transitional devices to make his paragraph coherent and to make
his sentences flow smoothly together. The writer could use various methods of development,
such as supplying details and examples, to create emphasis. The writer should create
unity throughout the paragraph by making his sentences relate to the topic sentence.
By following these points the writer should be able to create an effective paragraph.
Paragraph with connectives
Anyone can learn to put more punch into his paragraphs. This may be done by using
descriptive phrases to create vividness for the reader. Secondly, the writer could
use a wide and varied range of transitional devices to make his paragraph coherent
and to make his sentences flow smoothly together. The writer could also use various
methods of development, such as supplying details and examples, to create emphasis.
Finally, the writer should create unity throughout the paragraph by making his sentences
relate to the topic sentence. By following these points the writer should be able
to create an effective paragraph.
Model paragraph analysis
|
Topic sentence
|
Anyone can learn to put more punch into his paragraphs.
|
|
Evidence
|
This may be done by using descriptive phrases to create vividness for the reader.
Secondly, the writer could use a wide and varied range of transitional devices to
make his paragraph coherent and to make his sentences flow smoothly together.
The
writer could also use various methods of development, such as supplying details
and examples, to create emphasis.
Finally, the writer should create unity throughout
the paragraph by making his sentences relate to the topic sentence.
|
|
Concluding sentence
|
By following these points the writer should be able to create an effective paragraph.
|
|
Unity
|
Paragraph deals with one idea only.
|
|
Transitional devices (words) used to create coherence
|
This may be done…
Secondly, the writer could use…
The writer could also use…
Finally, the writer should…
By following these points…
|
Summary
- Choose your key word(s) for your paragraph.
- Write your topic sentence.
- Decide the methods you will use to develop the paragraph.
- Write your concluding sentence.
- Check your paragraph for unity.
- Check your paragraph for coherence.
Sentence variety in your paragraph
Your paragraph will be more effective if you use
variety in your sentences.