1. Writing Paragraphs
Types of Paragraphs

2. 4 Types of Paragraphs
Expository
Descriptive
Narrative
Persuasive

3. Expository Paragraphs
Present facts
Give directions
Define terms
Example: textbooks

4. Descriptive Paragraphs
Presents a single, clear picture of a person, a place, a thing or an idea.
Includes sensory details (imagery)
Example: Word Photos

5. Narrative Paragraphs Tell a story
Answers the 5 W’s about the experience
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
Example: short stories

6. Persuasive Paragraphs
Express an opinion and tries to convince the reader the opinion is valid
Contains supporting points that help solidify argument
Example: An essay/paragraph on why capital punishment should be abolished.

7. Understanding Details
To enhance your paragraphs, there are many types of details you can include. Your reason for writing (purpose) determines which details are important to your work.

8. Types of Details Facts (details that can be proven; remain consistent)
Statistics (significant numerical information about the topic)
Examples (individual samples to illustrate the main point)
Anecdotes (brief stories that help make your point)
Quotations (words from another person that provide powerful supporting evidence)
Definitions (provide meaning of unfamiliar terms; add clarity)

9. Types of Details cont.
Reasons (justify ideas or actions, expand motives, answer the “why” question)
Explanations (clarify; answer the “how” question)
Summaries (give a shortened version of something said, written or done)
Comparisons (show similarities/differences)
Analyses (break down a complex whole into its major parts)

10. Arranging Your Details
7 main methods of organization
Classification
Order of location
Chronological
Illustration
Climax
Cause/effect
Comparison

11. Classification Effective for explaining a complex term or concept
To clarify, you break down a topic into categories and subcategories to help readers understand
Example: the 3 kingdoms of Egypt

12. Order of Location Effective for organizing description
Provides unity by arranging details in a logical way (left-right, right-left, top-bottom, etc.)
Example: describing a statue in Westminster Abbey

13. Chronological Effective for sharing a story or explaining a process
First, second, third, etc.
Example: telling someone about your day

14. Illustration General to specific
General topic (topic sentence) is stated and followed with specific details that clarify or support the idea.
Example: Main point about whales and follow with an explanation about the current research on the subject

15. Climax Specific to general
Specific details lead up to an important summary statement
Topic sentence would be placed at the end
Example: excitement building anticipating the start of a concert

16. Cause and Effect
Shows the relationship between events and their results
Can begin with either the cause or the effects

17. Comparison Shows similarities and differences between two subjects
Example: comparing writing for the stage vs. screenwriting

18. Connecting Details
Once you’ve arranged your details, you need to tie them together so they read smoothly.
Use TRANSITIONS!!!!