About paragraph writing
Paragraph writing is structuring a group of sentences to make sense and deliver an idea. Every sentence in writing a paragraph works together as one unit to form an overall impression or idea. A paragraph is known to be the smallest unit or group of sentences within which one thought or message can be accomplished in deliverance. Paragraphs can stand solo or be shown as a part of some essay, but in writing paragraphs you must remember to cover only one idea with each paragraph.
The most vital sentence in the body paragraphs is the one relevant to the topic which covers the subject of the paragraph. This is the topic sentence which is mostly the first sentence of the paragraph as it provides an overview of the rest of the sentences. An ending sentence mostly restates or concludes the main concept of the paragraph.
There are different types of paragraphs but a well written paragraph is usually always unique. To write a paragraph that is well structured, you must remember to have:
- A topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph
- The kind of sentences that are supported with details and good examples as evidence to prove your point
- Reasonable, logical and consistent thoughts that are in proper form from one sentence to the other
- And a relevant conclusion that finalizes the idea of the paragraph and confirms deliverance.
Writing a perfect paragraph
A good paragraph is something more than just a combination of phrases relevant to the same topic. In the writing of a healthy defense in a composition, it needs a range of well written paragraphs. The topic paragraph should contain details that support the main point of the argument and then prove how that specific point is relevant to your study.
A 3-step guide shows how to write a good, proper and convincing paragraph:
Step 1- Understand the topic of the paragraph so that as you form it, you are aware of the point that you have to make in it. This step can be considered the understanding of the “main idea” of the argument.
Step 2- Keep in mind or gather good and interesting yet relevant examples and quotes for supporting your point as you write paragraphs. This step is meant to quote fiction or non-fiction examples within the paragraph to make your argument strong and clear. This step can also be known as an “illustration” that may comprise of examples quoted from your own experience, direct quotes with correct citations and even paraphrased references.
Step3- Write an elaboration on how your stated example or quote is relevant to your main point of argument. This will be your thesis and support for the background of the entire essay. This step will help you explain how your quoted examples and the topic actually form a connection. Paragraphs for proving significance carry a lot of marks and grading weight age.
Structure of a paragraph
The proper paragraph structure consists of four parts: paragraph topics/topic, a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. This basic paragraph format will help you to write and organize an effective and well-structured essay and make each paragraph lead to the next. Paragraph writing activities should be conducted properly and must comprise of its four components mentioned above.
TOPIC SENTENCE
The main idea of each paragraph is stated in a topic sentence that shows how the idea relates to the thesis or overall focus of the paper. Generally, the topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph. All subsequent points made in the paragraphs should support the topic sentence. Definition of paragraph topics is given with the help of the topic sentence.
SUPPORTING DETAILS
The supporting details help explain and elaborate the topic sentence further. In teaching paragraph writing, supporting details are the most important thing to make the student practice. They should be derived from different kinds of sources and have a good research background as well as experience. Paragraph worksheets given for practice often ask for the writer’s own evaluation for supporting details. The most effective and strong support to make an excellent paragraph in writing paragraphs worksheet is to have a combination of various supports. Below are given some common supporting details to write in a paragraph:
- Facts and Statistics
- Expert Opinion
- Others’ Experiences
- Your own Experience
- Short Stories
- Journal Entries
- Research Studies
- Personal Analysis
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
If we observe a concluding paragraph example, it would contain at the end a final statement that wraps up the ideas combined within a sentence and stress upon the main idea for the final time. Suppose your assignment is longer, the concluding sentence would help you move on to the next idea in the paragraph.
Paragraph Development
Students often develop the habit of writing snappy and short paragraphs that are not linked with each other. This habit of concise writing leads to missing out on the proper structure starting from intro paragraph till the concluding paragraph. If you review any good high school level handbook it will give you an idea of how long the paragraphs can develop until a good and sufficiently concise closing paragraph is made. The strongest component of an essay is how well developed your paragraphs are in representing each idea and thought beautifully.
Development of an idea
An idea is developed when it is supported by references, the significance of it is described in detail and it is shown how connections are made with the rest of the essay. All this development takes place throughout the essay in the form of supporting paragraphs. If one is able to cover all of these three elements in a consistent manner, then writing body paragraphs that are strong and well-structured in your papers would be no issue at all.
There are four main groups which are followed in the process of paragraph development. This can also be termed as four main kinds of paragraphs. First, we will shed some light on the descriptive paragraph. There are many good ways to start a paragraph but a descriptive one calls for some healthy details. The descriptive paragraph topics are usually not that specific in nature because only then can a person go into deeper details. Some factual materials related to the concept behind the idea have to be researched in support of the topic sentence. The approach of a descriptive paragraph is as such that it breaks down the subject, whether it is a place or a relationship, into specific details and each element is further treated individually. The main objective behind this kind of paragraph writing exercise is that appearance of things, people and places are brought to depiction. The job of the writer is to recreate all those sensory impressions of touch, sound and taste that he or she experienced earlier and was now putting down into words. What has to be always kept in mind by the writer is not to lose focus and purpose of writing the essay or paper while building these body paragraphs for his or her audience. The aim is to express everything clearly and in an attractive way. An expository paragraph can also be incorporated here because there is also the objective to fully explain the reader all the gathered information in the writer’s mind. Expository paragraphs can actually be really interesting for diligent readers.
Then we come down to the second mode or group of paragraph writing and that is Narrative Paragraph. The main objective behind writing narrative paragraphs is recreating a chain of events that have taken place and been experienced by the writer. A good example of a narrative paragraph would be the retelling of a plot or an ongoing dialogue between two or more people. More examples of narrative paragraphs would be character-sketches of different people or a natural sequence of time. These can also be called as its elements.
Next up is the evaluative group of paragraph writing. The main theme of this kind of paragraph is to add a certain value to an element or subject being described in the paragraph or paper. Examples are inclusive of different kinds of objects, drama, food, literature, etc. In order to evaluate something or in order to write an evaluation about something, it is extremely necessary that certain criteria are set against which words of evaluation will be formulated and the subject would be judged.
Lastly, we come to Analytical Paragraph writing. As is clear from its title, it employs an analytic stance and breaks down the subject of the essay or paper into various parts in order to explain their cause and effect relationship. Very carefully, the subject is scrutinized and sometimes, it takes up the narrative approach and sometime, a descriptive one.