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Paragraph Compiled by: Aisha Rehman

English Instructor
Development
 Introduction

❖ 1. What is Paragraph?
❖ A paragraph is a component of fictional prose and non-
fiction writings.When writing essays, research papers,
books, etc., new paragraphs are indented to show their
beginnings. Each new paragraph begins with a new
indentation.
 Purpose of Paragraph

❖ The purpose of a paragraph is to express a

speaker’s thoughts on a particular point in a
clear way that is unique and specific to that
paragraph. In other words, paragraphs
shouldn’t be mixing thoughts or ideas. When
a new idea is introduced, generally, a writer
will introduce a new paragraph.
 Basic Paragraph Structure

❖ A good body paragraph will have the following:

❖ 1. Topic Sentence
❖ 2. Supporting ideas
❖ 3. Conclusion
 1. Topic Sentence

❖ A topic sentence is the first sentence of the body

paragraph. Simply put, the topic sentence
introduces the topic of the paragraph. A good topic
sentence will be broad enough to allow for
explication but narrow enough that it does not
require a paragraph that is too long.
 2. Supporting Sentences

❖ The supporting sentences of a paragraph are

the sentences between the topic sentence
and the concluding sentence. The supporting
sentences “support” the topic sentence. That
is, they explain and elaborate the point of the
paragraph.
 3. Conclusion

❖ The concluding sentence is the last sentence

in the paragraph. It should succinctly end the
paragraph and transition to the next
paragraph, if appropriate.
 Four Essential Elements of a
Paragraph

❖ The secrets to paragraph writing lay in four

essential elements which are:-
❖ 1. Unity
❖ 2. Order
❖ 3. Coherence
❖ 4. Completeness
 1. Unity

❖ Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence.

Every paragraph has one single, controlling idea that is
expressed in its topic sentence, which is typically the
first sentence of the paragraph. A paragraph is unified
around this main idea, with the supporting sentences
providing detail and discussion. In order to write a good
topic sentence, think about your theme and all the
points you want to make. Decide which point drives the
rest, and then write it as your topic sentence.
 2. Order

❖ Order refers to the way you organize your supporting

sentences. Whether you choose chronological order,
order of importance, or another logical presentation of
detail, a solid paragraph always has a definite
organization. In a well-ordered paragraph, the reader
follows along easily, aided by the pattern you’ve
established. Order helps the reader grasp your meaning
and avoid confusion.
 3. Coherence
❖ Coherence is the quality that makes your writing
understandable. Sentences within a paragraph need to
connect to each other and work together as a whole.
One of the best ways to achieve coherency is to use
transition words. These words create bridges from one
sentence to the next. You can use transition words that
show order (first, second, third); spatial relationships
(above, below) or logic (furthermore, in addition, in fact).
Also, in writing a paragraph, using a consistent verb
tense and point of view are important ingredients for
coherency.
 4. Completeness
❖ Completeness means a paragraph is well-
developed. If all sentences clearly and sufficiently
support the main idea, then your paragraph is
complete. If there are not enough sentences or
enough information to prove your thesis, then the
paragraph is incomplete. Usually three supporting
sentences, in addition to a topic sentence and
concluding sentence, are needed for a paragraph
to be complete. The concluding sentence or last
sentence of the paragraph should summarize your
main idea by reinforcing your topic sentence.
 Other essential components

❖ Adequate Development
❖ In order for a paragraph to be considered
“adequate” or “sufficient,” the paragraph
should be well-developed. The reader should
not be left wanting more information.Similarly,
the paragraph should include enough
evidence to support its topic sentence.
❖ 2. Transitions
❖ Good paragraphs have transitions between preceding
and proceeding paragraphs. These transitions are
logical and verbal.One paragraph should logically flow
to the next. The ideas in a body of work should be
organized so each paragraph transitions well to the
next. It should not be choppy.Additionally, verbal
transitions within and between paragraphs should help
the reader move seamlessly through the piece of
writing.
 How Long is a Paragraph?

❖ There is no set length to a paragraph. Some paragraphs are only one

sentence in length. However, a short paragraph like that should be left
only to the expert writer—or a specific style of writing. You wouldn’t find
a single-sentence paragraph in a research paper or academic
journal.Paragraphs need to be long enough to express any given idea
(long enough to thoroughly explain the topic sentence).Research papers
may call for paragraphs ten sentences or longer.The overall topic of the
writing and content will determine the length of a paragraph.
Unfortunately, there is no single number of sentences to a good
paragraph.A general rule of thumb is to begin with a topic sentence;
develop that topic well with evidence, examples, and explanations; and
conclude the paragraph appropriately.
 Prewriting In Composition
❖ In composition, the term prewriting refers to any activity that helps a writer think about a topic, determine
a purpose, analyze an audience, and prepare to write. Prewriting is closely related to the art of invention in
classical rhetoric.

❖ "The objective of prewriting," according to Roger Caswell and Brenda Mahler, "is to prepare students for
writing by allowing them to discover what they know and what else they need to know. Prewriting invites
exploration and promotes the motivation to write" (Strategies for Teaching Writing, 2004).

❖ Because various kinds of writing (such as note-taking, listing, and freewriting) usually occur during this stage
of the writing process, the term prewriting is somewhat misleading. A number of teachers and researchers
prefer the term exploratory writing.
 The Aim of Prewriting
❖ Usually, the prewriting activities help you find a good topic,
narrow topics that are too broad, and look at purpose. You
should finish the prewriting activities with at least a sentence
and a list. Or you may have something as formal as a three-
part thesis sentence and a fully developed outline. Either
way, you'll have laid the groundwork." -Sharon Sorenson,
Webster's New World Student Writing Handbook. Wiley,
2010
❖
 Five Prewriting Strategies for Essay Writing

❖ Prewriting can be defined as organizing and

formulating ideas before writing. It is the starting
phase of the writing process and it is at this stage that
a writer explores and puts their idea on paper. This
process will help a writer create an organized outline
containing potential topics or ideas that will be the
body of her work. Learning prewriting strategies will
assist the writer in fine-tuning the process.
 1. Brainstorming
❖ Picking a topic that inspires and interests you as a
writer positively influences the overall quality of
the end product. Make a list of topics that you
can comfortably write about and number them
for easier reference. Leave spaces between the
individual topics and add any other relevant ideas
that arise and create a coherent outline. Choose
the appropriate subject by selecting a topic which
has generated the most ideas.
 2.Freewriting
❖ This is a type of brainstorming that involves jotting
down all the thoughts you have on a specific topic.
Write everything that you think about the topic for at
least 10 minutes, without worrying about the
sentence structures, grammar or punctuation. Note
down the reason why you chose this topic and what
is so interesting about it. Free writing provides the
writer with an opportunity of focusing on the actual
content of the paper without worrying about
producing a polished piece.
 3. Clustering
❖ Cluster your written ideas visually using graphic
designs in creating a logic structure. Draw a circle
containing the main idea in the middle and then
sketch other smaller circles containing the supporting
issues that relate to the main topic. Connect these
smaller circles with the main one using a line.
Grouping similar ideas together helps you in
formulating an organized and cohesive outline. A
writer may also use a chain-events graphic organizer
by outlining in details the steps of the story or the
actions of a certain character.
 4. Journalist’s questioning
❖ Analyze the topic carefully and formulate a
variety of questions that relate with the main
subject. This generates specific ideas that will
guide you during writing. Formulate simple
questions and break them down in form of
“who,” “where,” “when,” “what” and “how;” for
example, “What is the theme of your writing?”
 5. Answering

❖ By comprehensively answering all the asked

questions, you cover the essential information
required for the topic. These answers guide the
writer in completing a rough draft of the work.
 6. Mind mapping
❖ Concept maps or mind-mapping are great strategies to use during the
pre-writing stage. Both are visual ways to outline information. There are
many varieties of mind maps that can be quite useful as students work in
the prewriting stage. Webbing is a great tool that has students write a
word in the middle of a sheet of paper. Related words or phrases are
then connected by lines to this original word in the center. They build on
the idea so that, in the end, the student has a wealth of ideas that are
connected to this central idea. For example, if the topic for a paper were
the role of the US President, the student would write this in the center of
the paper. Then as they thought of each role that the president fulfills,
they could write this down in a circle connected by a line to this original
idea. From these terms, the student could then add supporting details. In
the end, they would have a nice roadmap for an essay on this topic.
❖
 7. Outlining
❖ Outlining is practically a dirty word to many students. The painstaking organization of thought required in outlining
intimidates and discourages many writers. But students who diligently outline their ideas, even roughly, before starting
a first draft almost always find the actual writing a much easier task.

❖ We don’t have time to teach formal outlining in this lesson, but if you have not learned how to create an outline, we
recommend you find a good text or teacher who can help you. Basic outlining is a skill every student should know well.

❖ We believe no prewriting strategy is more helpful than outlining. Strategies like freewriting and clustering can help you
loosen the clogged ideas in your brain and get something onto an otherwise blank sheet of paper, but only old-
fashioned outlining will put those scattered ideas into a manageable order.

❖ We think the best strategy is to combine freewriting or clustering with outlining. Use one of the first two
“brainstorming” strategies and then fashion an outline to corral your scattered ideas. Below is the cluster example
above converted into a simple outline. Before this outline would be helpful to the writing process, however, the writer
should fill in some detail and perhaps eliminate some of the less significant points.

❖
 Stages of writing process

❖ 1. Prewriting
❖ Prewriting covers all the thinking and planning
you do for a writing assignment. It includes
thinking about the assignment, identifying a
topic, collecting details, and creating a writing
plan.
❖ 2. First Draft
❖ Writing the first draft means getting your ideas
on paper. A first draft is your first look at your
writing and your first chance to see how well
things are coming together.
❖ 3. Revising
❖ Revising refers to changing and improving your
first draft. Its your opportunity to think about
what you’ve written and then add, cut, or
change it as needed. Your goal is to make all of
your ideas clear and complete.
❖ 4. Editing
❖ Editing is checking your revised writing line by
line for errors. Also proofread for errors after
writing the final copy of your writing.
❖ 5. Publishing
❖ Publishing refers to sharing the final copy of your
writing. Publishing comes in many different
forms depending on the purpose and audience
for your writing.
 Types of paragraphs

❖ There are four types of Paragraph Writing:-

❖ 1. Narrative Paragraph
❖ 2. Descriptive Paragraph
❖ 3. Expository Paragraph
❖ 4. Persuasive Paragraph
 1. Narrative Paragraph

❖ This type of paragraph tells a story. There's a

sequence of action or there's a clear
beginning, middle, and end to the paragraph.
 2. Descriptive Paragraph

❖ This type of paragraph describes something

and shows the reader what a thing or a
person is like. The words chosen in the
description often appeal to the five senses of
touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste.
Descriptive paragraphs can be artistic and
may deviate from grammatical norms.
 3. Expository Paragraph

❖ This type of paragraph explains something or

provides instruction. It could also describe a
process and move the reader step by step through
a method. This type of paragraph often requires
research, but it's possible that the writer is able to
rely on his or her own knowledge and expertise.
 4. Persuasive Paragraph

❖ This type of paragraph tries to get the reader

to accept a particular point of view or
understand the writer's position. This is the
type of paragraph that many teachers focus
on because it's useful when building an
argument. It often requires the collection of
facts and research.
 References

❖ https://writingexplained.org/grammar-
dictionary/paragraph
❖ https://www.time4writing.com/writing-
resources/paragraph-writing-secrets/
❖ https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_E
nglish/WL10_types_of_paragraphs.html
❖ http://blog.writeathome.com/index.php/2011/08/3-
prewriting-strategies-for-any-writing-project/
❖ https://www.thoughtco.com/prewriting-composition-
1691676
❖ https://www.thoughtco.com/prewriting-stage-of-the-
writing-process-8492
❖ https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/FAQ/what-are-steps-
writing-process