Writing a

Paragraph
Module 4
Objectives
• Write a unified paragraph, and
• Illustrate in examples the
development of a paragraph,
arrangement of ideas,
emphasis and coherence
What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of
sentences that deals with one
point or that which expresses
as single thought. Unified
paragraph means all the ideas
express in sentences
contribute to the development
of single thought.
 What is a paragraph?
• A paragraph is a group of
sentences that relate to the same
main idea. Paragraphs are the
building blocks of all documents.
Creating coherent and well-
developed paragraphs, therefore,
is one of the most important skills
for any writer to learn.
Elements of a paragraph
A paragraph has two elements
namely: the topic sentence and
supporting details. The topic sentence
holds or summarizes the general idea of
the paragraph. It serves as the fastener
of all the sentences in a paragraph. On
the other hand, the supporting
sentences are details of the main idea
that are expressed in the topic sentence.
 Using a topic sentence
• Although the main idea of a
paragraph may be merely implied, it is
more often stated outright in a topic
sentence. In primarily informational
documents, such as business letters
and memos, paragraphs usually
begin with a topic sentence followed
by sentences that explain or support
it.
 Using a topic sentence
• The second most common
position for a topic sentence is the
end of a paragraph. In this case, the
final sentence draws a conclusion
from the details offered by the
previous sentences.
 Organizing Your Ideas
• Wherever you position the topic
sentence, you should present the
information in a paragraph in a
logical order. Common methods of
organizing material within a
paragraph include:
 Organizing Your Ideas
• presenting a sequence of events in
chronological order
• describing the spatial relationship
between items in the same place
• moving from specific ideas to a
generalization that they suggest
• moving from a generalization to
specific ideas that support it
 Organizing Your Ideas
• The information you want to convey should
dictate the way you organize a paragraph. A
variety of organizing techniques can keep the
structure of your paragraphs from becoming
too stale and predictable. On the other hand, a
series of similar points are often best
presented in a parallel format. Too much
variety can at times be more confusing than
enlivening, especially in business documents.
 Making Transitions
• As important as arranging sentences
in the appropriate sequence is
establishing thoughtful and smooth
transitions between the sentences.
Without adequate transitions, the
reader may not be able to see how
the ideas presented in a paragraph
relate to one another.
 Making Transitions
• Among the ways to create
transitions between sentences are:
• inserting transitional words and
phrases
• Teresa is difficult to work with.
• For example, she never arrives at
meetings on time.
 Making Transitions
• Among the ways to create
transitions between sentences are:
• using repeated phrases and parallel
constructions
• When we work hard, we succeed.
When we are lazy, we fail.
 Making Transitions
• Among the ways to create
transitions between sentences are:
• using the same subject (or words
that refer to the same subject)
• Becky went home early. She could
barely stay awake at the party.
 Making Transitions
• Among the ways to create
transitions between sentences are:
• referring to the topic discussed at
the end of one sentence at the
beginning of the next
• Ms. James explained the problem. It
was not as serious as we had
feared.
 Length of Paragraph
• To lend variety to a document, use paragraphs
of several different lengths. In most cases, your
paragraphs will naturally range from three to
eight sentences long.
• If you are discussing a complicated point, you
may be tempted to keep all related points in
the same paragraph. Remember, though, that
a reader’s attention is likely to wander without
the relief of an occasional paragraph break.
 Length of Paragraph
• A very short paragraph of one or two
sentences can jar the reader and therefore is a
good device for emphasizing a point or
signalling an abrupt change of thought. In a
printed document, too many short paragraphs
can make your prose seem choppy and your
argument hard to follow. If a document will be
read on a computer, however, using many
short paragraphs is usually preferable because
they are much easier to read on-screen.
 Formatting Paragraphs
• Mark the beginning of each new
paragraph by indenting its first word
slightly from the left margin or
inserting an extra line space
between it and the previous
paragraph. Either of these methods
is acceptable for most documents,
but do not use both in one
document.
 Mozart and Schubert
Their ways of working were
different. Schubert could compose
from nine noons, and again four to
six, and from eight to midnight, with
complete efficiency, summoning,
aspiration as the clock struck. Mozart
was a deadline pusher, living
basically as a celebrity between
incredible orders of solitary, forced
draft creation…
 The Freshman
He cannot depend on his mother who
wakes him up every morning. In college
he meets new friends and tries to adjust
himself to their style. During enrollment
there are several student assistants that
assist him like when he was in high
school. He must get the form by himself
and fill it out like a grown man. A high
school graduate must become a man and
learn to live independently when he
enters college.
 Exercise 1
Example:
Topic Sentence:
Children today have no interest in reading.
Supporting details:
Books for them are boring.
- They prefer to play computer games than
to read books.
- For children watching TV is relaxing
compared to reading.
- Children have found no return in reading.
 Exercise 1
A. The following are the topic sentences.
Think of at least four supporting details.
1. Topic Sentence: The traffic problem in
Manila is getting worse.
Supporting details:
 Exercise 1
2. Topic Sentence: Life in the province is
better than the life in Manila.
Supporting details:
 Exercise 1
3. Topic Sentence: Education is more
important than money.
Supporting details:
 Exercise 1
4. Topic Sentence: Filipinos are the
happiest people in the world.
Supporting details:
 Paragraph Development
A paragraph can be developed
using (1) description, (2)
narration, (3) exposition.
 Paragraph Development
Description – answers the
question ”What does he/she/it
look like.” A painter uses paint and
brush in describing something.
Writer uses words to describe
something.
Description
Example
The house was located near the century old Acacia tree. Its gate
was unpainted and the cemented foundation that held it had cracks
in which big and small vines sprung up and coiled into the intricately
decorated bars. I pulled up the knocker and released it. It sounds
riveted the silence and the hunchback appeared from the kitchen.
He scampered on the cable stones. I tried to look at him in the eyes
but he invaded. The old gate clanged as the hunchback opened it. I
went in and trotted few steps then I saw that the cable stone branch
off into two. One led to the vestibule while the other disappeared
among the fallen leaves. The short stairway to the vestibule had two
burst of facing lion. I passed through them and into the house I came
in. inside I saw a highboy chandeliers, upright piano and there was a
grandfather’s pendulum. But the picture of the man in the
daguerreotype captivated my eyes. The man in the picture was
wearing a dress like that of a bull fighter in Spain.
 Determining the Purpose
and the Readers
The last parts to be considered
before the actual writing are:
purpose and your expected
readers.
Can you write without a
purpose? Purpose is the main
point you want to develop.
 Writing Stage
The second stage in the
process of writing is making the
final draft. In this stage, writers
are suggested to go back to the
basic principle of the free writing.
However, free writing in this stage
is no longer to find for topic.
 Post writing
The draft as product of this writing
stage is called rough draft. The
grammar is to be fixed in this stage.
Weak words shall be replaced with
the strong ones. Spelling, preposition
and tenses are checked. Since this is
the final copy, the kind of paper to be
used, the typing style, margins and
spacing shall be looked seriously.