TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

Paragraph
Types of Paragraph Organization Sample Paragraph organization in the
Function sample paragraph
Paragraphs
Topic Sentence Supporting sentences Concluding Sentence
To describe a  The topic sentence in a  The supporting  The paragraph ends I have a new digital camera, and I’m very excited about Topic Sentence
person, place, descriptive paragraph sentences give some with a concluding using it because it has so many useful features. I do not Supporting
or thing so that introduces the item background sentence that restates need to spend a lot of time focusing it. It has automatic Sentences #1
the reader can that the writer will information about the the idea in the topic focus. People do not have to wait a long time for me to
picture it in his describe. item. sentence using take their picture. In addition, its lens is powerful. I can Supporting
or her mind.  The topic sentence in a  The supporting different words. photograph a person and scenery, and both are clear Sentences #2
descriptive paragraph sentences give some when I print the final pictures. Another feature allows Supporting
introduces the item background me to delete blurry pictures. I save a lot of money Sentences #3
that the writer will information about the because I do not have to print ugly pictures. I am very Concluding
describe. item. excited about my new camera because it is convenient Sentence
 It may also include the  The supporting and easy, and I can take interesting pictures with it.
Descriptive sentences also give
writer’s general feeling
Paragraph descriptive details
or opinion about the
item. about the item these
details describe how
the item looks, smells,
feels, or tastes.
 The supporting
sentences may also
describe in more
detail how the writer
feels about the item.

Example An example  The first  The middle  The last The cloth mask my mother gave me is one of the Topic sentence
Paragraph paragraph gives sentences give sentences give sentence of the masks that I like the most. This cloth mask is Supporting
examples so examples that examples that paragraph colorful. For example, orange, light orange, and blue sentence #1
that the reader support the support the restates the colors adorn this cloth mask. Also, in this cloth mask,
clearly controlling idea. controlling idea. topic and what the background motif is black. This cloth mask has Supporting
 understands the  It also includes  These examples the writer has floral motifs. For example, in this cloth mask, there sentence #2
writer’s ideas the controlling give a clear said about it. are 3 large flower motifs, leaves, and several small
about a topic. idea, or what the picture of the ornaments. Those several motifs are motifs that I
writer will say writer’s specific really like. This cloth mask is comfortable to use. For Supporting
about the topic. meaning. example, the material used in this cloth mask is sentence #3
cotton with three layers for the filter. It also uses a
good quality rubber mask neatly on the right and left
sides of the mask. So, in conclusion, I have a lot of Concluding
cloth masks but this cloth mask is one of my sentence
favorites.
Process To describe the  The topic  The middle  The paragraph You can safely drive your car from one place to another Topic sentence
Paragraph steps necessary sentence sentences ends with a if you follow these steps. First, make sure that all four Supporting
to perform a introduces the describe a concluding tires have enough air in them. Second, settle sentence #1
process or task. process that the sequence of sentence that comfortably into the driver’s seat and fasten your Supporting
writer will steps that dive restate the topic seatbelt snugly across hips, shoulder and chest. Third, sentence #2
explain. detailed sentence using adjust the rearview and side view mirrors to give Supporting
information different words. yourself a clear view of traffic immediately behind you sentence 3
about the stages  This sentence and behind you on both sides. Fourth, check over both Supporting
of process. may also include shoulders before backing out of your parking spot. A sentence #3
 These sentences a suggestion or successful journey begins with the first step and if you Concluding
may also give warning to help begin your drive by following these steps, your journey sentence
background to help the should end well for you and for everybody else on the
details that help reader do the road.
define the task more easily
[process for the
reader or
explain why this
process useful
or necessary.
 Supporting
sentences may
also include the
tools needed for
the task
 In an opinion  The topic  The middle  The last According to my research, violent video games are Topic sentence
paragraph, the sentence sentences the sentence harmful to young people. First, playing these games can Supporting
writer presents introduces the topic and states restates the cause changes in the behavior of young people. sentence #1
an opinion and topic the writer’s an opinion. writer’s in Frequent players have poorer grades in school,
tries to opinion about the  Writers often different words. according to studies by psychologists. The next reason Supporting
persuade topic use facts,  It also is that violent video games make young people less sentence #2
readers that the explanations, comments on sensitive to violence in the real world. The games are
opinion is a and personal the opinion in toxic to children that make it looks fun to shoot and kill,
Opinion good one. The experiences to some way. and the line between play violence and real violence
Paragraph writer tries to support their  The concluding becomes very thin or disappears entirely. The last Supporting
make readers opinion. sentence reason is that violent video games teach players to use sentence #3
agree with him sometimes violence to solve problems. Classmates usually tease
or her. summarizes the each other, but don’t make this anger you and do
reasons for the something that you will regret. In short, I feel that Concluding
writer’s opinion. violent video games are harmful to young people and sentence
should be controlled – or, even better, banned.

Narrative To tells a story,  The topic  The supporting The concluding I remember when I first arrived in the United States. Topic sentence
Paragraph it has a topic sentence tells the sentences tell sentence “wraps up” Even before the plane landed, the little windows in the Supporting
sentence, reader what the the details of the story. It may include airplane revealed snow and ice-covered houses and sentence #1
supporting story will be the story, a comment about why buildings. As I walked off the plane, cold air crept supporting
sentence, and a about. including the the experience was though the corrugated ramp that led to the airport sentence #2
concluding  It may also tell sequence of important or how the terminal. Some people inside the airport were wearing
sentence. when and where events. writer felt after it. big coats and hats, which I had seen on television, but
the story took  They also never up close. I felt a little dizzy and needed to sit Supporting
place. include sensory down, and then my cell phone rang. It was my Aunt sentence #3
 The topic details, such as Sophia. She was waiting for me outside in the
sentence should what the author passenger pick-up area, so I walked quickly to the exit,
capture the saw, heard, forgetting all about my luggage. When the sliding glass Concluding
reader’s interest. smelled, or door opened to the outside, there was my aunt--a sentence
tasted. woman I hadn't seen in over ten years--wearing a parka
 Supporting and waving her arms frantically in my direction.
sentences may
also tell about
the writer’s
feelings during
the events.