PARAGRAPHS

PARAGRAPHS
• Should be unified:
– Same focus
– Same tone
– Same point of view
THE PARAGRAPH

Just as the sentence contains one idea in all its fullness, so the
paragraph should embrace a distinct episode; and as sentences
should follow one another in harmonious sequence, so
paragraphs must fit on to one another like the automatic
couplings of railway carriages.
Winston Churchill, 1930

STRUCTURE
• Topic sentence

• Body

• Conclusion
STRUCTURE
• There is no set formula for
constructing paragraphs.

• A paragraph must follow a

logical sequence and maintain
an overarching idea or topic.

LENGTH
‘The paragraph is essentially a unit
of thought, not of length; it must be
homogenous in subject matter and
sequential in treatment’.
Fowler
LENGTH
• Depends on the topic and the
purpose of the paragraph.

• The more complex the idea, the

longer the paragraph.

• Be careful when creating very

long paragraphs.

• Consider your reader.

ORDERING
• Organise what you are going to
say.

• Consider the best sequence in

which to convey your ideas.

• There are no fixed rules for

ordering—you have to decide
what works best.
COHESION=GLUE
• Connecting words
• Pronouns
• Summary words
• Repetition of words
• Exemplification/explanation
• Sentence structure
• Logical sequence
• Parallelism
• Punctuation

TRANSITIONAL
EXPRESSIONS
• Within a paragraph, you must
amplify, elaborate, reinforce
your message.
• Examples, cases, and lists will
help you to do this.
TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS
Contrast and qualification On the contrary, in contrast, however, yet,
nevertheless, that said

Continuity Besides, also, in addition, moreover, indeed,

likewise, furthermore

Cause and effect Therefore, as a result, thus, consequently

Exemplification For example, for instance, consider that, in fact

Summation In conclusion, clearly, finally, in short

HELPFUL STRATEGY
• It would be helpful to keep the
list of cohesive ties and the list
of potential transitional
expressions close by when you
are writing.
• Try to find examples of
cohesive and coherent
paragraphs to use as guidance
in your own writing.