COURSE: ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Presented by : SETNCHO FRANCO

TUTORIAL : PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT AND DISCOURSE

A) PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

Definition:

A paragraph is a collection of sentences which all relate to one main idea or topic. Effective paragraphs
have four main characteristics: a topic sentence, unity, coherence, and adequate development. As seen
below;

1. UNITY: For a paragraph to be complete, it must focus solely on a single idea

In order for a paragraph to maintain a sense of unity, the paragraph must focus solely on a
single idea, point, or argument that is being discussed. Therefore, the paragraph should not
begin to stray and develop new ideas.
2. COHERENCE : is more commonly referred to as the flow of your writing.Well, after presenting
your main idea in your topic sentence, each sentence following must buildupon each other in an
organized manner.
3. TOPIC SENTENCE: The topic sentence is the most im ortant art of your aragra h;it tells the
reader the general idea of your paragraphs and should essentially “hook” them into wanting to
read more! The topic sentence helps to provide a “general summary” for your paragraph.
4. SUFFICIENT / ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT : After the topic sentence is stated, it has to be well
elaborated and developed by a number of sentences not limited to one or two sentences.

Example of a whole paragraph.

"Social media is a platform that is gaining popularity due to its user-friendly characteristics. Social
media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others enable individuals to interact over
great distances. In other words, social media puts the whole world at our fingertips. The young is
notably one of the most prevalent social media users. All of this makes one believe that anything so
potent and with such a vast reach cannot be entirely positive as there are always two sides to a coin, so
there are two sides to social networking too.”

HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH

 Start on a new line and indent

 Write a topic sentence that tells the main idea.
  Write sentences that supports the main idea( details).
 Include a closing sentence.
TYPES OF PARAGRAPH
1) EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH
An expository paragraph’s main purpose is to provide information and or explanation of
something.
The name “expository” suggests that a topic is “exposed” through the writing.
In an expository paragraph, the writer would want to be sure to provide details and
explanations that allow the reader to better understand the topic. The structure of an
expository paragraph consiste of 3 main parts.
PARTS OF AN EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH

A. THE OPENING SENTENCE: It introduces a topic which will be talked about.

B. THE BODY: It is also called detail sentence. It's the part of the expository paragraph which
provide specific details and explanations about the topic. This part opens up the readers mind
about what is being discussed.
C. THE CLOSING: This is the last part of an expository paragraph. It brings a conclusion about what
has been discussed in the body. It brings back the topic to the reader's mine and gives the
reader a sense of having reached a stopping point.

Example of an Expository paragraph

In recent years a new food trend has been growing in popularity — eating locally grown and raised
food. Concerned citizens trying to reduce their carbon footprints have grown increasingly more aware of
how far food must be shipped. Rather than shipping their fruits and vegetables across the country,
farmers can sell directly to consumers at local farmers markets or to local grocery stores. By selling their
goods to local consumers, farmers can reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned during shipping.
Consumers who seek out locally grown food often report that the food is of higher quality than food
shipped hundreds or thousands of miles. Without extensive shipping times, local food spends less time
in transit and can conceivably make it from the farm to the consumer’s table in a matter of several hours
or a few days. With less time to degrade during the shipping process, locally grown foods are often
fresher and tastier than foods that spend days or weeks in transit. With these benefits, the trend of
eating locally is likely to continue.

2) PERSUASIVE PARAGRAPH

This type of paragraph is to convince an audience to agree with the writer’s point of view. In order to be
successful, the writer must choose a topic and take a position or state an opinion. This type of paragraph
contains facts and examples to support the writer's position.

PARTS OF A PERSUASIVE PARAGRAPH

 A. OPENING SENTENCE: This states the topic and the writer’s position while capturing the
audience’s attention.
B. THE BODY: The paragraph, contains a series of facts and examples that support the writer’s
position.
C. THE CLOSING :should restate the writer’s position and usually includes a call to action that
directs the reader to a certain course of action.

Example of a persuasive paragraph:

People should choose to buy locally grown food whenever it is available. Locally grown food is better
for the environment. In addition, locally grown food is superior in taste and nutritive. The right choice is
clear; buy locally grown food wherever it's available.

3). DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH

This is a type paragraph uses sensory details to describe someone or something. Sensory details are
descriptions that appeal to the reader’s physical senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. A well-
written descriptive paragraph allows the reader to form a picture in his or her mind as he or she reads.
This type of paragraph uses adjectives and action verb to help the reader have an idea.

PARTS OF A DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH

A. OPENING SENTENCE: It includes the topic of the paragraph.

B. THE BODY: It should be filled with sensory details that describe the topic.
C. THE CLOSING: It should restate the topic and provide a sense of closure.

EXAMPLE:

Farmers markets are a wonderland of bright colors and sweet smells. Wandering from booth to
booth, the intoxicating aroma of ruby-red strawberries and fresh-cut cucumbers fills your nose. Rows
and rows of farm-made cheeses and artisan breads beckon, begging to go home with you. You gaze at
jars of golden honey. As you leave the farmer's market with heavy bags and a full heart, you make a
promise to yourself to return again the next weekend and the next again and again.

4. NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH

A narrative paragraph tells about an event. The term personal narrative means that the writer is
writing about an event that happened in his or her personal life experience. Narratives should have a
clear beginning, middle, and end. Most narratives are told in chronological order and use transitions
(like “next” or “then”) to help the audience understand the flow of time.

Narratives utilize descriptive writing and contain sensory details (imagery). Narrative writing is the basis
of both fiction and non-fiction stories.

Example:
 Last Saturday, I visited a local farmers market. I didn’t know what to expect, but having been urged by
a friend to try to eat more locally, I decided to give it a try. As I entered the farmers market, my nose
was immediately greeted by the inviting scent of fresh strawberries. I meandered from booth to booth
admiring the piles of brightly colored fruits and vegetables. As I examined yellow and green varieties of
squash, cucumbers of all sizes, and tomatoes of all shapes and colors, I had a hard time deciding what to
buy. Sensing my dilemma, a kind farmer offered me a sample of watermelon with a wink and tip of his
hat. “Picked fresh today,” he said with a smile. As I bit into the fruit, the sweet juice cooled my parched
throat. Later, as I left the market with two bags full of delectable produce, I vowed to eat locally
whenever possible.

PARTS OF NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH

A. OPENING SENTENCE: should introduce the subject of the paragraph, which is usually the main
action of the story.
B. THE BODY : should include details about what happened. These details are usually conveyed in
chronological order and separated with transition words that help the audience understand the
sequence of events.
C. The closing sentence should restate the topic or subject and bring the action to a close.

Reference: essentialinwriting.com

FUNCTIONS OF A PARAGRAPH IN ENGLISH

Paragraphs plays a vital role in English language as follows;

 It breakdown texts into manageable units so that the reader clearly see the main sections.
 Organise ideas: Each paragraph carries just one mean idea with it.
 Provides narrative flow through the text as one idea links to the next.

Reference: University of Birmingham library services.

B) DISCOURSE/ ESSAY

Definition:

Discourse in English language refers to a formal discussion of a subject in speech or in writing.

They exist two main types: Formal and informal. Our focus will be on the Formal discourse as discussed
below;
 1. Descriptive Discourse: This type of discourse describe things in a factual manner. Example:
stating estimates for healthcare spend per person for different countries.
2. Narrative Discourse: This type of discourse is done in storytelling to make information more
imaging. Ex: Recounting an experience that illustrates a point or problem.
3. Rhetoric Discourse : This is the act of influencing an audience. Ex: using an anology to make a
complex topic look more clear and relatable.
4. Nudge Discourse : This is the act of gently suggesting or presenting an evidence and then
allowing the audience to draw a conclusion. This type of discourse is based on the theory that
people that tend to react against commanding words that tell them what to do or think such
that gentle suggestions are usually more effective.
5. Call to action : This is the opposite of nudge. It is a short command to do something. Ex: " vote
for me"
6. Argumentative Discourse / persuasive : Primarily, a discourse is a one way communication, not a
two way argument. However, you can point out Common or anticipated argument and offer a
counterargument as a form of discourse.
7. Counter signaling : This is the act if down playing obvious social status. Ex : A CEO who
introduces themselves as working in a firm without mentioning his title. This is usually different
from humility as it is always a trickish way to influence, as people may find social status more
impressive when they find out in their own without you saying it.
8. Idioligical Discourse : This is a type if communication that demonstrate a writer's ideology. It's
usually done by carefully selecting words that identifies one as in compliance with an idiology.
9. Affective Discourse : This is the process of communicating emotion instead of giving out
information. This emotion can be transferred from person to person with empathy.
10. Expository Discourse: Its main purpose is to provide information and or explanation of
something. The name “expository” suggests that a topic is “exposed” through the writing.

Reference: Simplicable.com 2010-2024

FUNCTIONS OF DISCOURSE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 Persuade : This is to cause someone to accept or agree an opinion

 Inform : This is the transfer of information from person to person.

FEATURES OF A GOOD DISCOURSE

 A good discourse is characterized by tone and intonation

 The audience is known by the presenter of the discourse.
 The pace of the communication is determined by the presenter