QUALITIES OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH

A good paragraph is like a miniature essay. It has a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Strong paragraphs combine focus and attention to detail to develop a single idea thoroughly, and they help the reader transition from one idea to the next.

Qualities of a Good Paragraph 1. UNITY - singleness or "oneness" of purpose. All the detail sentences clearly point to or support the topic sentence. 2. COHERENCE - all the sentences and ideas in the paragraph flow smoothly together to make clear and logical points about the topic. Coherence can be achieved through the use of: A. A natural or easily recognized order : > Time Order (Chronological) - arranging details or sentences as they happen according to time; usually used in writing narratives > Space / Direction Order (Spatial) - arranging evidence in relation to space, direction or location > Importance Order (Emphatic) - arranging details in order of importance or emphasis > Step-by-Step (Sequential or Procedural) - arranging information according to numbers.

B. Transition Words and Phrases - used to show the connection from one sentence to another, or to signal a new train of thoughts Some common transitions: a. For continuing a common line of reasoning: consequently, clearly, then, furthermore, additionally, and, in addition, because, besides that, in the same way, also, in the light of... b. To change the line of reasoning: however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary c. For the final points of a paragraph or essay: finally, lastly d. Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically: - first, second, third... - generally, furthermore, finally - in the first place, also, lastly/finally - in the first place, just in the same way, finally - basically, similarly, as well as e. To signal conclusion: therefore, this, hence, in conclusion, indeed f. To restate a point within a paragraph in another way or in a more exacting way: after, afterwards, as soon as, at first, at last, before, before long, finally, in the first place, in the meantime, later, meanwhile, next, soon, then

C. Repetition of Key Words - important words or phrases (and their synonyms) may be repeated throughout a paragraph to connect the thoughts into a coherent statement. D. Substitution of Pronouns for Key Nouns - use a key noun in one sentence and then use a pronoun in its place in the following sentences. When using pronouns consider the nouns to be replace by checking the nouns: 1. number - is the noun to be substituted singular of plural, 2. function in the sentence - is the noun to be replaced use as a possessive, a subject, or object, 3. gender - is the noun to be replaced a male, a female, a common noun or a neutral noun, 4. Person - is the noun to be replaced in the first, second, or third person. E. Parallelism - use of the same grammatical structure in several sentences to establish coherence. The use of similar phrasing helps tie ideas and sentences together.

3. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT --> Support and evidence provided by the writer can be explained in different ways, These details can be provided by giving or using: a. narration – telling a story b. description – painting something or someone by use of words c. comparison – showing how two subjects are similar d. contrast – pointing out how two subjects are different from each other e. example – providing illustrations or representatives of an idea or topic f. classification – organizing or grouping together subjects with the same qualities or characteristics g. division – taking out a part from the whole to fully discuss or emphasize how the part is integral to the whole h. definition – giving the meaning of a term, idea, or concept i. process analysis – telling how something is achieved or came to be; or telling how to do something j. cause and effect – showing reasons/results of a phenomena/process

Example of a bad paragraph Women in the past were not granted civil rights. Women in Sparta were considered citizens. Their rights were respected. Divorce was accepted there. Most importantly, they were considered important members of the household.  This is a bad paragraph because it doesn’t lead to any main point of view; it’s scattered. Its message is unclear and the statements seem unrelated. It doesn’t give much information about the topic.

Example of a good paragraph Women of ancient civilization prove to be “victims” of early human rights violations; they were not given any domestic rights. But there was one race of women who became distinct in terms of these rights. They were the Spartan women. Comparing it with other civilizations, Sparta was the first to respect women and annihilate misogyny. First and foremost, women in Sparta could own land and were considered citizens. Considering all things, that’s a very big deal. Why? Because that was extremely rare at that time and there are lots of places even today where women don’t even get that much. They were even allowed to vote, as compared to their Athenian neighbours, who preferred to keep their wives at home, doing absolutely nothing. Second, women’s rights were respected. Spartan women were given small knives so that if their husbands came home and tried to hit them or assault them, they had a weapon within reach. That weapon was for cutting their husbands’ faces so that when he went out in public, everyone would know he was an abusive husband, giving them the right to publicly shame him. Third, divorce was totally fine, and a woman could expect to keep her own wealth and get custody of the kids because paternal lineage wasn’t very important. And it didn’t make her a pariah! She could totally remarry, no big deal at all. Lastly, they were thought of as brave and important members of the household. Spartan men only got their names on their graves if they died in battle. And women? Women only got their names on their graves if they died in childbirth. The Spartans compared childbirth to battle and it was viewed as the most honourable way to die. Spartan civilization was the first to consider the potential of women and their importance in society. They were the first feminists.

 The aforementioned paragraph was a good one because although it was quite lengthy, it was coherent, unified, and it gave examples and a background on the topic being discussed.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! ©Cath Manuel 2013