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Paragraph

A paragraph is a structured series of sentences focused on a specific topic, typically beginning with a topic sentence. It consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion, and can vary in length and type, including narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative paragraphs. Effective paragraph writing involves planning, clear transitions, and a strong conclusion to communicate ideas coherently.

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5 views

Paragraph

A paragraph is a structured series of sentences focused on a specific topic, typically beginning with a topic sentence. It consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion, and can vary in length and type, including narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative paragraphs. Effective paragraph writing involves planning, clear transitions, and a strong conclusion to communicate ideas coherently.

Uploaded by

Noman Munir
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PARAGRAPH

A paragraph is a series of sentences on a specific point or topic. A well written


paragraph must have a topic sentence which states the main idea: what the
paragraph is about. While some say the topic sentence can be anywhere in the
paragraph, it is best to put it as the first sentence in a paragraph. The rest of the
sentences in the paragraph support, elaborate, and/or further explain the main idea
expressed in the topic sentence.

Paragraphs have varying length depending upon various factors. An average


paragraph in an academic essay is about six to eight sentences.

Paragraph structure

Most paragraphs in an essay have a three-part structure introduction, body,


and conclusion. You can see this structure in paragraphs whether they are narrating,
describing, comparing, contrasting, or analyzing information. Each part of the
paragraph plays an important role in communicating your meaning to your reader.

Introduction: the first section of a paragraph; should include the topic sentence and
any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background
information or provide a transition.

Body: follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts,
arguments, analysis, examples, and other information.

Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the information
discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling idea.

Types of Paragraphs

There are various types of paragraphs such as summaries, abstracts, and


answers to questions for a specific assignment. In addition, there are specialized
types of paragraphs for various reports such as feasibility studies or performance
reports.

While the format of paragraphs should be similar, the type of paragraph will
differ greatly depending on the type of writing being done. There are four common
types of paragraphs and do not include paragraphs to separate dialogue.

1. Narrative paragraph

A narrative paragraph tells a story of a certain event and gives details that
relate to the event being told.
2. Descriptive paragraph

A descriptive paragraph gives details about a person, place, thing, or idea.


The topic sentence states what is being described and the details relate to that topic.

3. Expository paragraph

An expository paragraph also can give information, but it can also explain
something, give directions, or show how something happens. The detailed
sentences in expository paragraphs often have linking words such as first, next,
then, or after.

4. Argumentative paragraph

An argumentative paragraph, sometimes referred to as a persuasive


paragraph, is a paragraph where the topic sentence takes a specific position or
request. The details of a persuasive paragraph are written to prove why the
argument is valid.

How to write a paragraph?

Paragraph structure isn’t just for the benefit of readers, it also helps authors
organize their thoughts and communicate clearly. Below we explain the different
steps of how to write a paragraph, from the paragraph introduction all the way to the
conclusion.

How to plan a paragraph?

Before you begin writing a paragraph, look at how the paragraph fits into the
writing as a whole. As mentioned above, different types of writing use different types
of paragraphs, so make sure the paragraph type you’re planning matches the
context.

Ideally, you’ll already have an outline for whatever you’re writing, which will
tell you what the paragraph is about and what to include. If not, your first step is to
decide on the paragraph topic and which facts to include as support and
development.

Keep in mind what comes before and after the paragraph so you can plan the
right topic for the flow of your writing. It’s jarring for the reader when the author jumps
wildly from one topic to the next, so try to keep all related paragraphs together and in
a logical sequence. If that’s not possible, plan your topic sentence as a segue,
perhaps using a transition word.

It also helps to sketch out the parts of your paragraph: topic sentence,
development and support, and conclusion. The more you prepare these parts now,
the easier it will be to put them into words later.
How to start a paragraph?

Unless you’re doing narrative writing, your paragraph introduction should


always be the topic sentence. The trick is to avoid overexplaining say only what’s
necessary. The goal of the topic sentence is to inform the reader what the paragraph
is about; everything extra should be saved.

On a technical note, when beginning a new paragraph, follow the rules of


paragraph indentation for whatever style guide you’re using. There is a paragraph
indentation debate about when to indent the first line and when not to; really, it
depends on the assignment or audience.

How to transition within a paragraph?

It’s not enough to just throw all your support sentences into a paragraph and
hope for the best. For the convenience of your reader, it’s best to connect the
sentences in a way that lets the reader move from one point to the next without
getting confused.

While some paragraph sentences will run together on their own, sometimes
you need transition sentences to assist the flow. Transition sentences make use of
transition words like “however,” “therefore,” or “similarly,” or sometimes directly
reference the preceding sentence.

If your sentences create a list, such as instructions, you can transition from
one item to another using ordinals like “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. Ordinals work well
with difficult transitions because they can fit almost any paragraph.

How to end a paragraph?

When you’ve said everything you need to say about a topic, it’s time to end
the paragraph. If the paragraph looks like it’s too long after you’ve said everything,
consider breaking it up into separate topics and paragraphs for the sake of the
reader.

The best way to end a paragraph is to sum up the topic with all the new
information from the support sentences. However, it’s not always necessary to
restate the topic, which can sometimes come across as padding. It’s equally viable
to end a sentence stating one final piece of support. In these instances, it’s best to
conclude with the piece of information that has the most profound effect.

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