Saima Umer

Spring-2023
What is a paragraph?
 A paragraph is a group of sentences with
one topic.

 A paragraph consists of more than one

sentence.

 Form, content, and structure are very

important in a paragraph.
 Indent

Basic
Paragraph

Capital
Letter
Period
Use a period at the end of every
sentence.
Parts of a Paragraph
 A Paragraph has three parts:

Supporting
Sentences

Topic
Conclusion
Sentences

Parts of a
Paragraph
 Topic Sentences
Itis usually the first sentence in a paragraph.
It is also the most general sentence in a paragraph.
It introduces the main idea of a
paragraph.
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph.
Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will
be about.
Example: The trip to the National park was a
great success for all of the students.
 Supporting Details
Supporting Details come after the topic
sentence.
 Write at least 3 supporting sentences.
They support the information of the topic
sentence.
You should give supporting facts, examples,
and details.
 This will help the reader understand your
topic better.
 Cont’d--
• Example: First, the visitors learned a lot
from their guide about the park. Second,
the guide informed the group about how
the park came to be named the National
park. He also highlighted the year it was
named as the National Park, and how
the land for the park was acquired.
Second, the now well informed visitors
had a chance to ask their guide some
questions that were not covered during
the tour.
Conclusion Sentences
This is the last sentence in a
paragraph.
It reminds what the topic sentence
was about.
It restates the main idea of a
paragraph using different words.
Cont’d--
• The concluding sentence summarizes
the points and restates the topic
sentence using OTHER WORDS.
• Example: In short, the tour to the
National park was so entertaining and
rewarding.
An Effective Paragraph;
 presents a single idea
 begins with a topic sentence that makes this
single idea evident
 contains support in form of sentences that
convey this single idea
 is strategically organized to maintain
flow
 informs and entertains your reader about your
paper’s overall idea
 Uses transition words
A Good Paragraph has . . .
Unity One main
- idea, topic
sentence,
other
Support supporting
sentence
-
Supporting ideas,
evidences and
 Cont’d
 Coherence- well organized details,
clear and sensible
connection, linkers or
connectors

 Good Language- grammatical accuracy,

correct punctuation, apt
vocabulary, variety of
structure
 Common Types of Paragraphs
Narrative---- to express/to entertain
Expository----- to inform/to explain

Descriptive----- to tell/ to describe

Persuasive----- to influence/to persuade

Compare & Contrast ----- to find similarities and differences

and to analyze and evaluate two or more concepts.

Cause & Effect----- to explain why something happened as a

result of something .
Process to Write a
Paragraph
 Brainstorming

Organizing
Ideas

Final Work First Draft

Editing
 For a Good Paragraph;
 Brainstorm ideas around a central topic.
 Arrange your points in a logical order.
 Write the topic sentence.
 Add supporting details and evidence.
 Use clear, simple sentences with transition words.
 Tie it all together with a conclusion
sentence.
 Edit your paragraph for grammar, style, and
coherence.
Transition Words
• Transition words are linking words that
improve the
flow of the paragraph. Each sentence
with
supporting evidence and the
concluding sentence will begin with
the transition word.
• Example: First, second, third, also,
however, as a result, in conclusion,
finally, then, after, meanwhile, during,
etc.
Example: Transition Words
There are three reasons why Canada is one of
the best countries in the world. First, Canada
has an excellent health care system. All Canadians
have access to medical services at a reasonable
price. Second, Canada has a high standard of
education. Students are taught by well-trained
teachers and are encouraged to continue studying
at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and
efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many
parks and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
 Style & Organization
1. Make sure that your paragraph has a topic

2. Make sure that that your supporting sentences

focus on main idea

3. Make sure that you have a concluding sentence

 Guided Writing
Write a paragraph of about15 sentences (250-300
words) using the hint below:

English --- a global language--- more than 100

countries--- nearly 50% of the world population---
internal & international communication--- library
language--- publication & research language--- web
language et cetera
Free Writing

Write a paragraph of about 15 sentences (250-

300 words) on

My Mother
 Peer Editing
“Showing your work to another student is a very
useful way to improve your writing. This is called
peer editing”.

You read your partner’s writing and your partner read

yours. You comment on your partner's reading your
partner comments on yours. You might talk together,
write comments on a sheet that your instructor gives
you or write directly on your partner’s paper.
ANY QUESTION???