PARAGRAPH WRITING

 

Paragraph writing

•      What is a paragraph

•      A paragraph is a group of related sentences that work together to develop a main idea or accomplish a single purpose.

•      Paragraphs are the building blocks of writing.

•      A paragraph needs to be solidly constructed

•      A paragraph is a distinct section of a piece of writing.

•      It consists of several related sentences and deals with one controlling idea.

•      The main function of a paragraph is to develop, support, or explain this theme.

•      A paragraph is a short paper of around 150 to 200 words.

•      It usually consists of an opening point called a topic sentence followed by a series of sentences which support that point.

•      A paragraph has two essential parts:

•      1. a point is advanced

•      2.That point is then supported

 

Essential characteristics of a good paragraph

•      1. topic sentence: The first sentence of the paragraph

•      2. Unity of thought: The paragraph deals with only one topic.

•      3. coherence: concerned with relatedness, linking of ideas, shows the logical relationship between the elements and the construction

•      4. Sequencing of sentences: mutually connecting both in meaning and structure

1. Topic sentence

•      The main idea or the theme is expressed by one sentence called a topic sentence

•      The topic sentence states the gist of the idea to be developed in the paragraph.

•      The other sentences of the paragraph develop, support,  and explain the central theme,

2. Unity

•      A paragraph has unity when all sentences tell about one main idea or serve a single purpose.

•      Unity is the principal of oneness.

•      Only one idea should be developed and every sentence in the paragraph should be used to support and expand that idea.

3. Coherence

            A paragraph has coherence when the sentences flow smoothly and logically from beginning to end

Sequencing of sentences

•      Cohesive devises (or)

•      Transitions:

•      Transitions are the connecting words that let readers know how the details in a paragraph  are related

Transition words and phrases

•      Linking words or connectives:

•      Addition: and, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition (to), besides

•      Contrast: but, yet, though, even though, while, still,

•      Choice: or, either … or, neither… not

•      Cause: for, because of, since

•      Time: before, after, until, till, by the time, when, first, then, afterwards, at last, finally

Length of the paragraph

•      A paragraph may sometimes be as short as one sentence or as long as a page or more

•      Ideal:

•      Three to eight sentences.

•      Two to ten lines

•      Shorter paragraphs may be used to emphasize a particular point,

•      Larger paragraphs are normally used in professional or technical writing.

A basic paragraph

•      Consists of five sentences:

•      The first sentence: introduces the topic.

•      The next three explain the topic further

•      The last sentence: concludes the paragraph

Example

•      Anitha is an excellent student (1). She is intelligent. She is responsible. Anitha always does her home work, and she is never late for class.(2) As a result of her hard work, Anitha is one of the best students in school.(3)

•      1. topic sentence

•      2.. Supporting sentences

•      3. Concluding sentence