WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH A paragraph is a

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph is a group of sentences that relates one main idea. Usually, a paragraph is part of a longer piece of writing; however, before you learn to write a multi-paragraph essay, you must first understand the characteristics of individual paragraphs

WHY USE PARAGRAPHS? What would happen if cars were not equipped with turn signals? Obviously, more accidents would occur. Turn signals are designed to inform one driver when another driver plans to turn or change lanes. In the same way, paragraphs also serve as signals: They tell the reader when the writer is switching to a new main idea. Without paragraphs, main ideas would run into each other, confusing the reader. So remember, as a writer, you are in the driver’s seat—be courteous and signal when you switch to a new main idea by creating a new paragraph.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS? The following slides list different types of paragraphs. The type of paragraph you choose to write will depend on whether your purpose for writing is to inform or explain, influence or persuade, express, or entertain. For example, if your purpose is to influence the audience, you would most likely write a persuasive paragraph.

TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS Narrative is used to tell a story or relate a sequence of events using chronological order. Expository is used to inform or explain, often by including facts, definitions, or instructions on how to do something. When writing an expository paragraph, the writer seeks to reveal information about a subject. An expository paragraph can list facts, show cause and effect, compare and contrast, or explain instructions.

Descriptive is used to describe a person, place, thing, or idea; often used to express or entertain. A descriptive paragraph creates an accurate picture of the subject by including sensory details and adjectives.

Persuasive is used to influence others to agree with the writer’s opinion or to take action. A persuasive paragraph seeks to convince the reader to agree with an opinion or to take a certain course of action. Examples: Should your town or city have a curfew for teenagers? Should school lunch periods be longer? Who was the better president: Washington or Lincoln?

Definition paragraphs are used in order to explain the meaning, origin and function of things. They are used both in academic writing and in fiction. A comparison and/or contrast paragraph is required if you are asked to examine similarities and/or differences. Comparison focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences.

Cause and/or effect paragraphs explain the reasons why things happen or the results from something that happens (e. g. how does organization affect success in studies? ).

WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH? Paragraphs usually contain a main idea, a topic sentence, and supporting sentences. In addition, some paragraphs end with a clincher sentence.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PARAGRAPH? Although a paragraph may have a main idea, a topic sentence, and supporting sentences, the reader may still not understand it fully. What may be missing is unity, coherence, or elaboration.

UNITY When a paragraph has unity, all the sentences relate to the main idea. For example, in a paragraph explaining the origin of baseball, every sentence should give some information about baseball’s beginnings. Including a sentence about this year’s best team would ruin the paragraph’s unity. That sentence is not about the paragraph’s main idea—how baseball began.

COHERENCE A coherent paragraph is one in which all of the sentences logically fit together. When a paragraph has coherence, the reader can easily see how all of the details are connected. You can use two methods to create coherence in your writing. First, you can order details in a way that makes sense to the reader. Second, you can show the details are connected by using appropriate transitional words.

ORDER OF DETAILS Organizing your details in a specific order is one way to be sure your paragraph is clear and coherent. Use one of the four patterns listed below. Chronological Order; put ideas in the order in which they occur. Spatial Order is often used in descriptive paragraphs because it helps the reader visualize the subject. Order of Importance; is to arrange supporting details according to their importance. However, you can also do the opposite by beginning your paragraph with a less forceful idea and ending it with a stronger one. Logical Order involves arranging supporting details into related groups. A logical pattern of organization can help the reader understand the connection between details.

ELABORATION Have you ever seen a mosaic? A mosaic begins as an outline of a picture or design. The artist then elaborates on, or works out in greater detail, the outline by inlaying small, colorful bits of colored stones or glass into mortar, which is like cement. What once was only a simple outline grows into a detailed picture. Writing a paragraph is much like producing a mosaic. You begin with a main idea and a few supporting details. Then, piece by piece, you craft the paragraph by adding more details and explanation. If you, as the writer, fail to elaborate on your main idea, the reader is left with an unclear picture of the subject.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF STRATEGIES THAT WILL HELP YOU ELABORATE ON, OR FURTHER EXPLAIN, YOUR MAIN IDEAS. Use highly descriptive words, including vivid adjectives and adverbs and precise verbs and nouns. Give a detailed definition of the subject or detail. Provide an example that illustrates your point. Use comparison to explain how what you are describing is similar to something else. Metaphors and similes are types of comparisons.

Use contrast to explain how what you are describing is different from something else. Include a fact to support your main idea. Use a statistic to support your main idea. Statistics are facts in numerical form. Use sensory details, descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses. Use cause and effect to explain how one thing causes another or how one thing results from another.