PARAGRAPH WRITING

When we talk about effective writing, we often think first about elements like word choice,
grammar and mechanics, and content or evidence. But a really important part of effective
writing—and effective thinking, too—is clear, logical organization.According to Oxford
Advance Learner’s Dictionary a paragraph is “a section of a piece of writing usually
consisting of several sentences dealing with a single subject”. So, a paragraph is the
representation of a single idea. One paragraph should explain one topic/ idea and a new topic
should be introduced in a new paragraph. A paragraph should be well-designed. It should
neither be too long nor be too long. It should be of proper length.
A Technical Writer has to use different methods/orders of paragraph writing in his
professional career. In order to make his writing more clear, simple and suggestive, he
observes Coherence and Unity by using popular methods of paragraph writing.
Definition: According to J.E. Morris, “A paragraph is a unit of coherent ideas studded in
various sentences.” Theodore A. Sherman says, “The function of a paragraph is to group
together sentences that concern the same topic and combine to form a thought unit.”
Certainly, a good paragraph is one which has, “a beginning, a middle and an end.” It
naturally implies that a good paragraph is one which has also well-constructed sentences,
which are free from grammatical errors and which carry the correct meaning and message.
Paragraph writing has two significant elements:
1. Coherence:
Literally, the word Coherence means ‘Consistency’ or ‘Sticking together’. In
Communication it refers to the consistency of thought, idea and speech. Coherence makes the
expression more clear and easy to understand. In Technical Written Communication
Coherence is paramountly needed. A Technical Writer should include all those elements in
his writing which make writing coherent. Every sentence of his writing should be inter-linked
with another. Generally, a technical writer uses five important methods/ orders to attain
coherence in his writing. These are as follow:
1. Pronouns
2. Repetition
3. Synonyms
4. Connectives
This may be easily understood by this following diagram:
 Coherence

These above mentioned elements provide coherence in writing. A Pronoun is used in

place of noun and it helps in maintaining continuity of thought. Likewise Repetition is used
by the writer to connect the previous idea or ideas. Synonyms are used by the writer to create
variety in his writing and in so doing he avoids monotony in his writing. Finally he uses
Connectives like: as, and, therefore, or, in order to, in short etc. to connect two or more ideas
or sentences.
Unity:
Literally the word Unity means ‘Oneness’ or ‘a single whole’. Like Coherence, a
technical Writer prefers many methods/ devices in his writing. In today’s world Technical
Writing has become very important and Unity is the first requirement of it. Generally, to
obtain unity a writer uses five important methods of paragraph writing. These are:
1. Inductive Method/ Order of Paragraph Writing
2. Deductive Method/ Order of Paragraph Writing
3. Chronological Method/ Order of Paragraph Writing
4. Spatial Method/ Order of Paragraph Writing
5. Linear Method/ Order of Paragraph Writing
This may be better understood by the following diagram:
 Methods/ Orders of Paragraph Writing

1.
Inductive
Method

2.
5.
Deductive
Linear Method
Method

3.
4.
Chronological
Spatial Method
Method