Kinds of Paragraphs

Paragraphs can serve different functions. Knowing the purpose of the paragraph will help determine the content it should include and the words to use when writing it. Defining, classifying, describing, explaining, evaluating, expressing preferences, comparing and contrasting are examples of paragraph functions.

Writing an Academic Essay Paragraph

Prewriting, or brainstorming ideas and key words to use in a paragraph can help lay a strong foundation for writing by planning the main point of the piece, determining how the paragraph will develop the idea as well as by collecting and organizing relevant facts. These ideas can then be easily transformed into sentences to construct a paragraph consisting of three main parts. t the beginning of the paragraph, the topic sentence expresses the main issue or point. The body contains supporting sentences developing this point by providing further clarification or explanation. The concluding sentence summarizes what has been presented or provides a transition into the next paragraph.

Writing a Paragraph in a Narrative

!arrative paragraphs describe a se"uence of events or tell a story, usually in chronological order. #ike the essay paragraph structure, narrative paragraphs consist of three parts$ a topic sentence, body and closing sentence. The topic sentence establishes purpose, and the writer proves or elaborates upon this contention within the paragraph. %owever unlike an essay, narration consists of a protagonist in a particular setting as well as an obstacle or conflict and a resolution. &urthermore, narrative paragraphs contain dialogue as well as indirect discourse which together direct the reader along the path of the overall story.

Writing a News Article Paragraph

'hen most people read newspapers, they generally only read the first few lines of an article to get the main points about a story. &or this reason (ournalists include as much detail as possible at the beginning of the article. Paragraphs of a traditional newspaper article are usually only one or two sentences in length. The opening paragraph is called the )lead) and it should contain a )hook) to grab the readers* attention as well as the story*s details, usually outlined with the following guidelines$ who, what, where, when, how and why. The following paragraph contains further core information and explains the significance of the story to the reader. &urther details about the sub(ect matter such as facts and "uotes appear in the supporting paragraphs, with information of less importance appearing in the latter parts of the article.

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