PROPERTIES OF

A WELL-
WRITTEN
PARAGRAPH
LESSON 4
PROPERTIES OF A WELL-
WRITTEN PARAGRAPH
A. Organization in a Paragraph
B. Coherence and Cohesion
C.Language uses in a Paragraph
D.Mechanics in Paragraph Writing
ORGANIZATION IN A
PARAGRAPH
o Experts believed that paragraph, not the sentence, is
the fundamental unit of thought of selection.

o Also, it is important to identify the author’s

perspective by discovering the way the message is
sent.
o Every writer has a purpose for writing and some plan of
action for getting the message.

o Order – also called a pattern of organization.

PATTERN OF
ORGANIZATION
1. Simple Listing
2. Description
3. Definition
4. Chronological Order or Sequence
5. Comparison-Contrast
6. Cause and Effect
 SIMPLE LISTING
– Items are randomly listed in a series of supporting facts or
details.
– These supporting elements are equal value, and the order in
which they are presented is of no importance.
o Signal words:

In addition, reveal, another, some, for example, also

 DESCRIPTION
– it is like listing; the characters that make up a story are no
more than a mere listing of details.
 DEFINITION
– paragraphs are devoted to defining and then further
expanded with example and restatements.
o Signal words:

is defined as, refers to, means, term or concept, is described

as, is called
 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OR
SEQUENCE
o Signal words:
First, second, third, before, after, when, later, until, at last, next
 COMPARISON-CONTRAST
– Items are related to the comparison that are made or by the
contrasts that are presented which the author really intends to show.
o Signal words:

Similar, different, on the other hand, parallels, bigger than,

smaller than, in the same way, however, but
 CAUSE AND EFFECT
– In this pattern, one item is shown as having produced
another element.
– An event (effect) is said to have happened because of
some situation or circumstance (cause). The cause stimulates the
event or effect (the outcome).
o Signal words:

For this reason, because, consequently, made, on the account,

hence
COHESION & COHERENCE
o Coherence
– the quality of being logical, clearly organized, not
rumbling or confusing.
o Cohesion

– The connection or linking ideas in a text making it

unified and coherent.
A well-written paragraph is coherent; that is the ideas in the
paragraph are arranged in a logical order and are clearly
related to each other.
– Coherence enables the reader to follow the writer’s
train of thought with ease.
 FOUR WAYS OF ORDERING
IDEAS TO ACHIEVE COHERENCE

1. Chronological order
2. Spatial
3. Order of Importance
4. Combination of Orders
1. Chronological Order
– Is from the Greek word chronos meaning “time”.
– Chronological, therefore, means “in the order of
occurrence”.
– Examples are paragraphs that explain processes and
incidents arranged in chronological order.
2. Spatial Order
– The order of things is arranged in space, used most often in
descriptive writing.
– The writer chooses either a central focus or a position from
which to view the object or scene leading to the decision on how
to present details.
3. Order of Importance
– This is usually used in paragraphs of explanation, argument,
and persuasion.
– Most often, writers present ideas from the least
important to the most important to end a strong note.
– However, writers may use the reverse order to catch the
reader’s immediate attention.
4. Combination of Order
– Writers may use a combination of orders to achieve effective
paragraphs.
LANGUAGE USES IN A
PARAGRAPH
 These languages help make the connection of
one word to another, one phrase to another, one
sentence to another, and sometimes one paragraph
to another.
CATEGORIES OF TRANSITION
WORDS AND PHRASES
1. Argument/ Addition/ Similarity
– these add information, reinforce ideas, and
express agreement with preceding material.
in the first place correspondingly
in like manner additionally
in the same not only... but also
fashion/way
not to mention
by the same token
and
equally
like
moreover
of course
 2. Opposition/ Limitation/ Contradiction
– these express that there is evidence to the contrary or point
out alternatives, and thus introduce a change in the line of reasoning
(contrast).
Although this may be true in contrast
of course… but
at the same time
be that as it may
in reality
(and) still
(and) yet
besides
although
despite
however
nonetheless
3. Cause/ Condition/ Purpose
– these present specific conditions or intentions.
in the event that granted (that)
On (the) condition (that) for the purpose of
with this in mind i
for fear that
in view of
unless
while
since
in case
only/ even if
owing to
 4. Examples/ Support/ Emphasis
– these are used to introduce examples as support, to indicate
importance or as an illustration so that an idea is used to the reader.
in other words with this in mind particularly
as an illustration like in particular
to put it another way chiefly for instance
by all means certainly to repeat
the first thing to remember for one thing such as
a point often overlooked for the reason specifically
on the negative side with the intention to in fact
including another key point in detail
namely must be remembered to demonstrate
indeed on the positive side to clarify
to put it differently notably especially
in this case to be sure expressly
that is to say truly in general
important to realize surely for example
most compelling evidence markedly to emphasize
to point out Explicitly to explain/ to enumerate
5. Effect/ Consequence/ Result
– these are time words that are used to show that there was
a consequence or effect after a particular time.
Note:
for and because are placed before the cause or reason.
– The other devices are placed before the consequence
or effects.
as a result under those - in that case
for this reason circumstances for
thus in effect then
hence because the therefore
thereupon consequently accordingly
Forthwith
6. Conclusion/ Summary/ Restatement
– these conclude, summarize and/or restate ideas, or indicate
a final statement.
– Also, some words (like therefore) from the effect or
consequence category can be used to summarize.
as can be seen ultimately definitely
all things generally speaking in the final analysis
considered as shown above in the long run
given these points as has been noted in a word
for the most part after all in fact
in summary in conclusion in short
in brief in essence to summarize
on balance altogether overall
ordinarily usually by and large
to sum up on the whole in any event
in either case all in all obviously
7. Time/ Chronology/ Sequence
– these have the function of limiting, restricting, and
defining time. They can be used either alone or as part of
adverbial expressions.
at the present time once, now straightaway
at the same time shortly, eventually until now, presently
from time to time during, forthwith as long as
up to the present time whenever, instantly without delay
sooner or later as soon as at this instant
to begin with in a moment quickly, later
in due time all of the sudden till, before
in the meantime immediately, after when, next
in the first place until then suddenly, whenever
first, second since about further, prior to
finally, last formerly, henceforth by that time
since hence meanwhile, in time now that, occasionally
Note:
Many transition words in the time categories (consequently; just;
second; third; further; hence; since; then; when; and whenever)
have other uses.

Except for the numbers (first, second, third) and further they add
a meaning of time in expressing conditions, qualifications, or
reasons.
8. Space/ Location/ Place
in the middle beneath, across in front of
on this side to the left/ right here and there
in the foreground on the distance in the center of
adjacent to in the background here, there
there, from opposite to near, down
above, up next, over further, whenever
beyond, around below, under before, among
alongside nearby, between behind
amid, beside
MECHANICS IN WRITING
A PARAGRAPH
How does writer make his/her paragraph more effective and
understandable?

There are mechanics in writing which are used

appropriately for this purpose, and they are discussed in this part
of the lesson.
 CATEGORIES
1. Capitalizations
2. Numerals
3. Abbreviations
4. Punctuation Marks
 CAPITALIZATIONS

– Rules governing capitalization reflect conventional practices.

Custom and usage have established them. With this convention, a writer
tells a reader what word are important.
– Today, most capitalization follows definite rules that are
accepted and practiced. To develop skill in controlling capitals, study
the following rules and examples.
 Rule 1
– Capitalize the first word in a complete sentence.
A. The holidays are over.
B. The first word in a complete sentence enclosed in parenthesis
is capitalized.
– However, the first word of a parenthetical phrase or
sentence in enclosed in parenthesis and occurring within another
sentence is lower cased.
a. The meeting was held and ended. (The minutes of the
previous meeting was not read.)
b. The student attended Business English under Ms. Santos (she
wrote the book used in the subject) at the college.
 Rule 2
– The first word of a direct quotation is capitalized but a
split direct quotation bound to the rest of the sentence is the lower
case at the beginning of its continued sequent.
a. The President asked," What happened to the economy?”
b. "The President appealed," The media reports, "and asked the
people to bear with him."
 Rule 3
– The first word of a direct quotation within a sentence or a
series of questions in a sentence is capitalized.

a. The chain reiterated: What should our plan be? How are we going
to devise it? Who will be involved?
 Rule 4
– The first word of run-in or block enumeration that forms
complete sentences are capitalized, as the first word of phrasal lists
and enumerations, blocked beneath running text but phrasal
enumerations run-In to the introductory cased are lowercased.
a. Follow this procedure:
1. Turn on the power switch, and then logs in.
2. Dial the net direct numbers.
3. When connected log in the yahoo messenger.
4. Type your username and password.
5. Start your work on the net.

b. Follow this procedure:

6. Turn on the power switch then logs in.
7. Dial the net direct numbers.
8. When connected, log in the yahoo messenger.
9. Type your username and password and;
10. State your work on the net.
 Rule 5
– The first letter of the first word in an outline heading in
capitalized.

I. Kinds of Pollution
A. Water
1. Causes
 Rule 6
– The first letter of the first word in a salutation and a
complimentary close is capitalized as in the first letter of each main
word following SUBJECT and TO headings in memoranda.
a. Dear Ms. Deyto
b. Respectfully yours
c. TO: Al Teachers
d. SUBJECT: Election of officers
Proper Nouns, Pronouns, and
Adjectives
 Rule 1
– Branches and Units of the armed forces are capitalized
including short, recognizable forms of the full branch and unit
designations.
a. Philippine Air Force and contract with the Air Force.
b. Corps of Engineers
 Rule 2
– Awards and Prices are capitalized.
a. Oscar Award
b. The Famas Award
c. The Noble Prize winners
 Rule 3
– Words Designating the Deity are capitalized.
a. Jesus Christ is the Emmanuel
b. God, the Almighty sees the universe
 Rule 4
– Epithets used in place of names or titles are capitalized.
a. Malacañang Palace denied.
b. The Church calls for uniting and reconciliation.
 Rule 5
– Adjectives derived from compass points and nouns
designating the inhabitants or some geographical regions are
capitalized.
a. Members of the Western Police
b. Highlanders
c. Australian Accent
 Rule 6
– Topographical names are capitalized as well as the generic
names (as the ocean, valley, and lake) that are essential elements of
the total names.
a. Atlantic Ocean
b. Mt. Bulusan
c. Batanes Channel
 Rule 7
– Generic Plural names were written before Topographical
names are capitalized except when the noun-determiner THE
precedes them, the generic name is lower cased.
a. Lakes Sampaloc and Bato
b. Mounts Banahaw and Pinatubo
c. The river
d. The oceans and seas
 Rule 8
– Names designating public places are capitalized if they
are essential elements of specific names, but they are lowercased
when place after multiple names or written alone.
a. San Juanico Bridge
b. Makati Park Square
c. Maria Orosa Street
d. in the park
e. Manila and Makati colleges
f. San Sebastian and San Agustin churches
Governmental, Judicial and
Political Bodies
Names of Organization
Names of Persons
Numerical Designations
Scientific Terms
Time, Periods, Zones and
Divisions
Titles of Persons
NUMERALS
ABBREVIATIONS
 PUNCTUATION MARKS
Pauses and voice inflection punctuate your thoughts and clarify your
meaning.
– In writing, however, you must use a conventional set of
symbols, punctuation marks to help your reader understand your
meaning. This usage has been set into rules that are observed by the
writers who wish to make their writings as precise as possible.
The punctuation guidelines presented in this book will enable you to
write with clarity, consistency, and accuracy.
1. Periods
2. Exclamation Points
3. Question Marks
4. Commas
5. Semicolon
6. Colon
7. Dash
8. Parentheses
9. Brackets
10.Ellipses
11.Apostrophe