Paragraph writing

Learning outcomes At the end of the Week 5 students should be able to: describe what a paragraph is identify different types of paragraphs form & develop paragraphs express ideas completely and clearly in paragraphs understand what makes a good paragraph write a paragraph competently

The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic

Different types of paragraphs 1. The Narrative – tells a story Normally chronological (though sometimes uses flashbacks) 2. The Descriptive – describes something. Records a series of detailed observations. 3. The Expository or explanatory – gives information or explains something. Exposition can be an incidental part of a description or a narration, or it can be the heart of an article.

Different types of paragraphs 4. Process analysis: Describes how a process happens or how to perform a series of actions, 5. The Persuasive – tries to convince the audience

Parts of the paragraph- topic sentence The Topic Sentence - The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called the topic sentence. A topic sentence may be developed : by giving examples. developed by giving details. developed by telling an incident

Parts of the paragraph – support sentences The rest of the paragraph consists of sentences that develop or explain the main idea.

The concluding or clincher sentence Restate the topic sentence in different words. A clincher sentence or concluding sentence clinches the point made in the paragraph. It summarizes the paragraph

How to Write a Paragraph? Articulate thoughts into words. e.g. Global Warming Follow a system of organizing and writing down thoughts. Pre-Writing: thinking stage -think of a topic or a question that really interests you -ask questions that need to be answered -research if it is a question that you cannot answer based on your experience or knowledge. -write down answers to develop your main idea.

Pre-writing: Thinking stage Global warming? What is global warming? What are effects of global warming? How can we prevent global warming?

How to Write a Paragraph? ii) Writing Stage -collate facts and the things you want to share. begin with the topic sentence then supporting sentences and closing sentences. focus on the main idea of the paragraph so that all the other sentences will support your assertion or declaration. vary the sentence structure transition words like for instance, however, on the other hand, in particular, afterward, etc.

How to Write a Paragraph? iii) Editing Paragraphs - check or proof-read for mistakes and other necessary corrections. -checking for misspellings or improper usage of words, -be mindful about the content of sentences used; each and every sentence must relate to the topic or main idea -ensure that paragraph is not boring

How to Write a Paragraph? iv) Writing the Final -ask your parent, teacher or friend to read your work and use their inputs to improve your writing. -the key to good writing entails knowledge -learning “How to write a paragraph?” is more than just being knowledgeable for writing takes practice. “Practice makes perfect” is a fitting description in good writing.

“What Makes a Good Paragraph?” “We have to be able to understand it!” “What can we do to make our reader understand our writing?”

“What do all of these mean?” 3 Things Make a Good Paragraph: Unity Coherence Elaboration “What do all of these mean?”

“What does unity mean to you?” Let’s Start with Unity… “What does unity mean to you?” When a paragraph has unity, all the sentences relate directly to the main idea. If there is a sentence off topic at all, this begins to create confusion for your reader. Use only the most important details!

Unity in the Paragraph main idea Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence. main idea sentence sentence sentence sentence

LET’S SEE AN EXAMPLE… Find the sentence in the paragraph that destroys the unity and doesn’t belong. The disappearance of Amealia Earhart remains a mystery. Earhart, who was the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, crashed into the Pacific Ocean while attempting to fly around the world. She was born in Atchison, Kansas, in 1897. Some researchers believe that she survived the crash into the Pacific, because radio distress calls were received. An intensive search for the source of the signals was made. Searchers were not able to find her, however. Finally, the distress signals ceased. In spite of continued searches by airplane and ship, no clue about what became of Amelia Earhart has yet been found.

#2: COHERENCE A coherent paragraph is one in which all of the sentences logically fit together. When a paragraph has coherence, your reader can easily see how all of the details are connected.

“How can we create coherence?” There are 2 ways! Order details in a way that makes sense. 2. Show a connection by using transitional words.

Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph Transition words chronological order first meanwhile later afterwards finally objects in relation to one another next to in front of beside between behind

Transition words in order of importance however furthermore as a result in fact yet

“Order Please!” “Look at the chart!” Not that kind of order! Organizing your details in a specific order is 1 way to make your paragraph clear and coherent. Coherence Chronological Order Presents details in the order they occur Spatial Order Presents details according to location Order of Importance Details are least important to most or the reverse Logical Order Groups related details together “Look at the chart!” Coherence

2nd Way to Create Coherence: Transitional Words “We want to see a connection!” Transitional words help the reader see a relationship between ideas. after finally soon later meanwhile first next before then They tie things together! across beyond under around inside down because therefore consequently

# 3: Elaboration “Give us more detail! Elaboration means: to add more detail, so your reader can get a clear picture of what you mean!

Here are are Nine Ways to Elaborate! Use Highly Descriptive Words: vivid adj.’s & adv.’s, precise V’s & N’s. 2. Give a detailed Definition of the subject or detail. 3. Provide an Example that shows your point. 4. Use Comparison: Similes and/or Metaphors. 5. Use Contrast to show how your idea is different from something else. 6. Include a Fact to support your main idea. 7. Use a Statistic (a fact in numerical form) to support your main idea. 8. Use Sensory Details that appeals to one or more of the 5 senses. 9. Use Cause & Effect to explain how 1 thing causes another.

Summary Paragraphs provide a structure for your writing which enables the reader to identify and follow the developing stages in your treatment of the material. Paragraphs have their own internal structure whilst fitting into the larger structure of the whole piece of writing. Be clear what the main idea for each paragraph is, deal with it as fully as is necessary for your purpose, but be alert to digression or irrelevancies. 

Summary Check your own use of paragraphs by reading the first sentence to see if it outlines the paragraph's main idea. The effective use of paragraphs can be seen in writing when the reader can gain an overview of the content by reading the first sentence of each paragraph.

“Now we see what you’re talking about!”