The paragraph is a series of sentences

developing one topic.

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 The Topic Sentence
• The topic of a paragraph is
stated in one sentence. This is
called the topic sentence.

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 The rest of the paragraph consists
of sentences that develop or
m a in
explain the main idea. idea
• Through the centuries rats
have been able to survive all our
efforts to destroy them. We
have poisoned them and trapped
them. We have fumigated,
flooded, and burned them.
Some rats even survived atomic
bomb tests conducted on in the
Pacific after World War II. In
spite of all our efforts, these
enemies of ours continue to
prove that they are the most
conclu
di n indestructible of pests.
senten g
ce

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 Developing a Paragraph
AAttoopic
picsseennttence
m ence
maayybbee
ddeevveelop
lopeedd
bbyyggivin
ivingg p icc
eexxaam t o p i
mpplleess.. AAto em m a ayy
s e n t eennccee t e
nn cce
p i c e
•• AAttoopic s lopedd n t n
sseente eveellooppeedd
e dev ng
b e dd eevvee l o pe bbe d
e l liing
maayy be g dettaaiillss..
m y t
e l
bby t n
aan t
bbyyggiivviinng de n c iidd eennt
iinc

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 Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.

main idea
sent
ence
t e nce
sen
senten
c e
nc e
t e
sen

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 The concluding
sentence
• Restate the topic sentence in different words.

• A concluding sentence clinches the point

made in the paragraph.

• It summarizes the paragraph.

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 Coherence
Coherence in
in aa Paragraph
Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and
logical relation to each other.

• Put details or examples or

incidents in logical order. 4
3
2
chronological
1
in relation to each other
in order of importance
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 Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
Transition words
chronological objects in relation to in order of
order one another importance
first next to however
meanwhile in front of furthermore
later beside as a result
afterwards between in fact
finally behind yet
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 Types of Paragraphs
• The narrative paragraph
• tells a story
• The persuasive paragraph.
• tries to convince the audience
• The descriptive paragraph
• describes something
• The expository or explanatory paragraph
• gives information or explains something

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