A Review on

Making Paragraphs

Prepared and written by Ms. Armelinda O. Danao

Exclusively for the Students
of TLMII Candelaria, Quezon

Sourced from varied online grammar websites and dictionaries

 What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a part of a written

composition which is made up of many
sentences that pertain to a main topic.

In other words, paragraphs are the

main body of most writing forms.
What is the main feature of a paragraph?

The main feature of a paragraph is that

the first sentence is most of the time
“indented”, like this way…
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

*** Indented means moved or started farther from the margin.

 Nowadays, it is accepted to write the paragraphs of articles,
reports, and correspondences without indentation, like this way…
____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

This style is called flush left stagger right. Lines are aligned on the left side,
while they are not on the right side. The paragraphs are separated by spaces.
 Why do we need to write good paragraphs?

1.Since paragraphs are the main body of a written composition,

therefore, if you have good paragraphs then you have a great
article.

2. All the information and ideas you want to write will be more
organized and orderly.

3. They give readers direction to the information and messages

you want to convey, thereby making your article interesting,
captivating, and worth reading.

4. They make your article easy to read, understand, and

comprehend.
How many paragraphs should an article have ?

A composition can have one (1)

to as many paragraphs as a writer needs
to have.
The problem in writing an article is that most of the
time, you have a plethora of ideas in your mind
and tons of information you would like to write.

How can you convey them well in an article?

The answer lies in the secret to making good paragraphs?

Only three words…

ORGANIZE

YOUR

THOUGHTS!
 Another secret is to have

MINI TOPICS.

Each paragraph contains a mini topic

that is related to the main topic of
your whole composition.
 Let’s take your composition
“Describe Yourself”
as an example.

Ideally, one paragraph tackles how you describe

yourself, another paragraph is all about how your family
describes you, and another expounds how your friends
see you.

Now, you have three mini topics but they are all
centered around the main topic of your whole composition
which is describing yourself.
 What are the parts (or components) of a paragraph?

Just like in a letter, a paragraph should have a

beginning, a body, and a closing.

Usually, the first sentence briefly explains the mini

topic. It is like an overview. It is called the topic
sentence.

The proceeding sentences support the mini topic. They

are called supporting sentences.

The last sentence is the closing sentence. It wraps up the

written ideas in the paragraph. This could be an overall
reaction, result, or conclusion.
What is the foundation of a good paragraph?

It is knowing and putting in mind the

”4 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
OF A GOOD PARAGAPH”
 Element # 1 – UNITY

All the sentences in a paragraph should be

related to one another and centered around
the topic of the paragraph.

All wayward, unrelated, and unnecessary

ideas, information, and sentences must not
be included!
 Element # 2 – ORDER
All the sentences in a paragraph should be organized by arranging
them in an order or in an organized manner.

Chronological – according to the sequence or time of events

(narration of stories, police reports)

Importance – from the most important to the least important

detail (news reports)

Procedural – according to steps or procedures (how-to)

Logical – what makes sense (reviews or product description)

Having well-organized paragraphs enables the readers to follow and understand

your ideas easily. Most importantly, it avoids confusion.
 Element # 3 – COHERENCE
Just like in a team, sentences should connect with each other and work as a whole.

Each sentence should be transitioned from one idea to the next by using transition words.

Transition words show….

Order (first, second, third, next, finally, last, etc.)

Space (on the right, below, in the distance, at the bottom, beneath, etc.)
Illustration (for example, specifically, in particular, etc.)
Contrast (on the contrary, on the other hand, nevertheless, while that may be true, however, yet, etc.)
Addition (furthermore, moreover, another, equally, next, in addition, etc.)
Time (afterwards, later, previously, meantime, immediately, regularly, daily, etc.)
Admission or compromise (at any rate, although, admittedly, granted that, well, etc.)
Similarity or comparison (likewise, similarly, in like manner, etc.)
Emphasis (in fact, without a doubt, indeed, truly, certainly, for sure, of course, etc.)
Details (specifically, particularly, namely, to enumerate, especially, etc.)
Example (for example, for instance, etc.)
Consequence or result (so, because, in other words, as a result, thus, therefore, hence, accordingly, due to)
Summary (as a whole, overall, in short, in conclusion, in other words, etc.)
Suggestion (with this in mind, in line with this, in this regard, due to, considering, etc.)
 Element # 3 – COHERENCE
Examples of the use of transition words:
Without transition words…
David studied diligently. He passed the exams. He graduated.

With transition words…

David studied diligently. As a result, he passed the exams. Eventually, he graduated with honors.

*** Transition words can be put in the beginning, in the middle, or in the end of a sentence.

in the beginning…
As a result, he passed the exams.

in the middle…
He, as a result, passed the exams.

in the end…
He passed the exams as a result.
 Element # 3 – COHERENCE
Here is another example of how sentences with “transition words” make
a paragraph coherent.

“Describing the view from my former house”

(most transition words used - show “space”)

My house, which sits on top of a hill, has the best panoramic view in
the country. To the left you can see the hills of Pililia, on top of which
are the now famous 27 gigantic windmills. To the right there’s
Thunderbird Resort of Binangonan. In the distance is the magnificent
Laguna de Bay. On its edge are the rice fields of Morong and Cardona.
Around the bend there’s a rustling brook. And just right below my
property is a lovely floral garden. Truly my million-dollar view is the envy
of many.
 Element # 3 – COHERENCE
Another very important thing to remember in making your
supporting sentences coherent is to

USE CONSISTENT VERB TENSE.

If the article is in the past, most, if not all sentences should
be in the past tense. If you would like to write in the present
tense, then all sentences should be in the present tense. Same
goes with future tense. (see previous examples)
 Element # 4 – COMPLETENESS

A paragraph should have the feel that it’s

well-developed.

If all the sentences clearly

support the main idea,
then your paragraph is complete.
 Element # 4 – COMPLETENESS
“Mina, My Doll”

Paragraph A

Among the many toys I have, Mina is the doll I treasure the most. She was given to me
by my grandmother on my sixteenth birthday. She kept me company every night at my
bedside. When I am sad or happy, I talk to her. When I am scared, I hug her. She’s like a
friend and a sister to me. I can’t live without her.

Paragraph B

Mina is my favorite doll. Sometimes, I style her hair. She’s a talking doll. She’s like a
person. I made a doll house for her. My friends would borrow her because she is a beautiful
doll. My mom gets mad when I forget to put her in the closet. My mom doesn’t want
scattered toys because they’re a mess. She hides Mina when she sees her scattered on the
floor. I will look for her and cry.

Which paragraph is complete?

Now, let’s try making a paragraph!

Let’s do

One paragraph

with

Five sentences.
 Main topic of the paragraph:

“My dog during his play time.”

 Sentences or ideas in mind:

A. He wiggles his tail a lot.

B. He rubs my legs with his snout to tell me he likes to play with me.

C. I like playing throw-catch with my dog, though it could be tiring at times.

D. He gets a toy bone and gives it to me.

E. Sometimes, he wants his fur to be rubbed so he could sleep.

F. My dog likes to play a lot during the day in the yard.

G. There are times when he couldn’t sleep because he is sick.

H. I throw the bone as far in the yard as I can. He gets it and gives it back to me.

I. His favorite food is our leftover food, except for chicken because he is allergic to it.

J. He barks loudly when there is a visitor and it’s embarrassing.

 Use this as an outline / template:

Topic Sentence (1):

1.

Supporting Sentences (3):

1.
2.
3.

Concluding Sentence (1):

1.

Now, write them in a paragraph form below:

 This is all for now.
More re-learnings in the next sessions. In
the meantime, view this PPP over and over
and study the lessons thoroughly.

Thank you very much.

God bless our Class!