ENG - 889

UNIT – FIVE
WRITING PROCESS
 WRITING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS

Paragraphs are distinct blocks of text which section out a larger piece of
writing—stories, novels, articles, creative writing or professional
writing pieces—making it easier to read and understand. Good
paragraphs are a handy writing skill for many forms of literature, and
good writers can greatly enhance the readability of their news, essays,
or fiction writing when constructed properly.
 EXAMPLE

Paragraph On Friendship: A friend keeps a lot of importance in

our life, and everybody enjoys the company of a friend. True
friendship is tough to get. Through every hardship and failure, the
faithful friend will stand by. They will care for you every time, and
gaining a true friendship is a real present.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
PARAGRAPH

• A good paragraph is composed of a topic sentence (or key sentence),

relevant supporting sentences, and a closing (or transition) sentence.

This structure is key to keeping your paragraph focused on the main

idea and creating a clear and concise image.

 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
PARAGRAPH
While creative writing does not necessarily follow the traditional
paragraph structure, it’s more about scene building and continuing a
narrative. Efficient, well-written paragraphs are a staple of good flash
fiction and short fiction writing, as short stories need to stay more
focused on a central idea. As long as your sentences form cohesive ideas
and connect to one another, you can write a good paragraph.
 WAYS TO WRITE BETTER
PARAGRAPHS
• Make the first sentence of your topic sentence. The first line of your
first paragraph sets up what information is to come as your audience
reads on. Even in fiction, the introduction of a paragraph either
establishes an idea or scenario or continues one from the paragraph
before. Regardless of what format or genre you’re writing for, every
good paragraph starts with a central focus that the rest of the
paragraph will aim to support.
 WAYS TO WRITE BETTER
PARAGRAPHS
• Provide support via the middle sentences. These sentences include
follow-up information to your key sentence or previous paragraph.
Whatever idea you aim to convey, these sentences are where you
convince your reader to believe or envision what you do, and give
them everything they need to see your point of view.
 WAYS TO WRITE BETTER
PARAGRAPHS
Make your last sentence a conclusion or transition. Even if it’s not at the
end of the piece, a conclusive sentence can refer to the last line of its own
paragraph, which concludes a particular idea or train of thought before
moving on to start a new line for the next paragraph. This next paragraph
can continue on the same idea, but the ending of each paragraph should
briefly summarize the information that was provided before moving on.
 WAYS TO WRITE BETTER
PARAGRAPHS
Know when to start a new paragraph. A paragraph break is necessary when
starting a new topic, introducing a new speaker, contrasting other POVs or
ideas, or providing white space to give readers a pause from a longer
paragraph. For example, in a novel, you may start a new paragraph when
bringing in a new character, or specify when a different character is speaking,
which can help the reader separate action text from dialogue more readily.
Paragraph breaks can control the pacing of your writing, and generate
particular feelings or moods for your reader. While there is no set amount of
sentences required per paragraph, in some instances, a single paragraph may
consist of a single sentence, but it is acceptable as long as it supports your
central idea, and doesn’t overwhelm your audience with too much information.
 WAYS TO WRITE BETTER
PARAGRAPHS
Use transition words. Transition words help tie together separate
paragraphs, connecting them to form a coherent idea. Phrases like “in
addition” or “moreover” can help readers track your ideas and understand
how they relate to each other, making for a smoother, more pleasant
reading experience. This is especially useful for essay writers and bloggers,
who often focus on a singular idea at a time to share with their audience.
 Four (4) main types of writing:
• Expository
• Descriptive
• Persuasive
• Narrative
 Expository Writing

The word expository contains the word expose, so the

reason expository is an apt descriptor for this type of writing is that it
exposes, or sets forth, facts. It is probably the most common writing
genre you will come across throughout your day. In an expository piece,
a topic will be introduced and laid out in a logical order without
reference to the author’s personal opinions.
Expository writing can be found in
• Textbooks Journalism (except for opinion and editorial articles)
Business writing Technical writing Essays Instructions
• All of these kinds of writing are expository because they aim to
explain and inform.
Example of Expository Writing
The municipal government of Happyville unanimously approved the
construction of sixty-two miles of bike trails in 2017. Made possible by
a new tax levy, the bike trails are expected to help the city reach its
sustainability and clean air goals while reducing traffic and congestion.
Eighteen trailheads with restrooms and picnic areas have been planned
at a variety of access points. The city expects construction to be
complete in April 2021.
Because this paragraph supplies the reader with facts and figures about
its topic, the new bike trails, without offering the author’s opinion on it,
it is expository.
 Descriptive Writing

The aim of descriptive writing is to help the reader visualize, in detail, a

character, event, place, or all of these things at once. The author might
describe the scene in terms of all five senses. Descriptive writing allows
the writer a great deal more artistic freedom than expository writing
does.
Example of Descriptive Writing
The children pedaled leisurely down the Happyville Bike Trail, their
giggles and whoops reverberating through the warm spring air. Sweet-
scented wildflowers brought an array of color to the gently undulating
landscape, tempting the children to dismount now and then so they
could lay down in the springy, soft grass.

Through description, this passage paints a vivid picture of a scene on

the new bike trail.
 Persuasive Writing

The aim of persuasive writing, or argumentation, is to influence the

reader to assume the author’s point of view. The author will express
personal opinions in the piece and arm him- or herself with evidence so
that the reader will agree with him or her.
Example of Persuasive Writing
The bike trail is the glittering gem of Happyville’s new infrastructure. It
winds through sixty-two miles of lush landscape, dotted by clean and
convenient facilities. If you haven’t experienced the Happyville Bike
Trail yet, ditch your car and head outside! Could life in Happyville get
any more idyllic?
A number of statements in this paragraph are opinion rather than fact:
that the bike trail is a glittering gem, that the facilities are clean and
convenient, and that life in Happyville is idyllic. Clearly, the author’s
aim here is to use these depictions to persuade readers to use the bike
trail.
 Narrative Writing

The purpose of narrative writing is to tell a story, whether that story is

real or imaginary. Pieces in a narrative style will have characters, and
through the narrative, the reader learns what happens to them. Narrative
writing can also include dialogue.
• Narrative writing can be found in:
• All types of fiction (e.g., novels, short stories, novellas) Poetry
Biographies Human interest stories Anecdotes
Example of Narrative Writing
As I cycled down the trail, I heard children giggling and whooping just
around the bend. I crested a small hill and coasted down the curving path until
I found the source of the noise. Three little girls sat in the grass by a big oak
tree. They were startled to see me, and I smiled kindly to put them at ease.
“Whatcha doing?” I asked.
“Nothing,” they chirped in unison.
In this passage, the author sets the scene on the bike trail from his or her own
point of view (which is referred to as narrating in the first person). Using
both description and dialogue, the story that takes place is laid out in
chronological order.
 Reader-Centred Writing
• Who is my target audience?
• What are their perspectives on the topic, on me, and on the
document, I will write?
• What is my goal or purpose in writing to these readers?
• What is my reader’s goal?