1

PARAGRAPH- a group of sentences organized around a central topic.

“A solidly written paragraph takes its readers

on a clear path, without detours.”

2

PARAGRAPH

PARTS OF A

Topic Sentence - tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. - It also helps the writing under control. - sometimes called the “controlling idea" of a paragraph.

1

2Supporting Sentence – make the topic more interesting or help explain it more clearly .- It helps support a topic sentence through providing sensory details, facts, or examples that expand upon, explain, or prove a paragraph’s main idea or topic sentence.

Clincher/Concluding Sentence –provides a logical conclusion based on the information found in the supporting sentences.-also used to cement the main idea in the reader’s mind.

3

3

My mother is neither tall nor heavy, but she’s the biggest person in my life. There has been no other person with a greater influence on me. Most mothers feed, wash, and clothe their children, and my mother is no exception. But more than this, she made sure that I received the finest education possible. This education was not at expensive schools or famous universities, but at home, by her knee, patiently. My mother explained to me the difference between right and wrong; the virtues of generosity, honesty, and hard work; and the importance of family and social ties. From her I understood who I was, where I belonged, and how I should spend my energy. No matter how big I might grow to be, I hope to be as great as my mother.Topic SentenceSupporting SentenceClincher © Jam

Olazo

4

FOUR ESSENTIA

L ELEMENT

S

UNITY

ORDER

COMPLETENESS

COHERENCE

© Jam Olazo

5

UNITY•Refers to the extent to which all of the ideas contained within a given paragraph ‘hang together’ in a way that is easy for the reader to understand.

•Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence.

© Jam Olazo

6

ORDER• Refers to the way you organize your

supporting sentences.Whether in chronological order,

order of importance, or another logical presentation detail.• Helps the reader grasp the meaning

and avoid confusion

© Jam Olazo

7

COHERENCE

• The quality the makes your writing understandable.

• Closely related to UNITY.

• Uses transition words that show order (first second, third); logic (furthermore, in addition, in fact)

Paragraphs need to connect each other and work together as a whole.

© Jam Olazo

8

COMPLETENESS• Completeness means a paragraph is

well-developed.• All sentences should clearly and

sufficiently support the main idea.

© Jam Olazo

9

Paragraph writing is the foundation of all essay

writing, whether the form is expository, persuasive,

narrative, etc.

© Jam Olazo

10If you take the parts of a paragraph and expand them, you can create an essay.

ESSAY1. generally much

shorter than an essay

2. should be centered on one idea only or write about only one topic

1. Consists of many paragraphs

2. you could explore many ideas while talking about one general topic

PARAGRAPH

DIFFERENCE?

11

1. Create an Outline.

• Write down the main points that you wish to discuss in the paragraph first. Aim for two or three main points.

• Underneath each main point, add a piece of supporting evidence from a journal, novel, poem, etc.

• After the evidence, offer a brief explanation.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo

12

2. Develop your topic sentence.

How to write it?

It should sum up the main idea or the central argument of the paragraph, without being excessively wordy or

going into detail.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo

13

.

3. Give supporting details

For example, a piece of support in an essay about drug usage could read, "Drug usage is becoming an increasing problem in the United States." After that, introduce a statistic showing the rise of drug usage over the last decade.• Use quotations and evidence. Analyze these and/or

give further explanation for their relevance or connection to the topic.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo

14

.

4. Provide strong, relevant information.

Important facts, textual analysis and all of the information must be relevant. Stay focused!5. Using concise and specific language.

Words such as "good," "nice," "bad,“ “stuff,” “things” are extremely vague and should not be used in professional writing. Find clearer words - "respectful," “beneficial" “negative,“ “items,” and “features,” for example -- with which to replace these vague words.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo

15

6. Use colorful and clear words.

Furthermore, do not use confusing words or words whose meaning you are not sure of, because your lack of understanding will translate to the reader.7. Craft a strong conclusion statement.

At the end of one paragraph, suggest that there is another idea that piggybacks on top of the one that you have discussed, or state that there are some disagreeing ideas in the field.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo

16

8. Utilize appropriate transition words

Ex: Order (first,second,last),

Spatial Relationships (above, below),

Logic (furthermore, in addition, in fact), etc.9. Edit for correct grammar and mechanics.

Ensure that your paper is free of mistakes in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, verb tense, word choice and syntax.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

© Jam Olazo