The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic



The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic.

The Topic Sentence

The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called the topic sentence.

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

A topic sentence may be developed by giving details.

Development by giving examples

Write the topic sentence

Give an example for the topic sentence

Explain the example

Give a second example

Explain the second example

Write a concluding sentence

Development by giving examples

A complex skill has mental and physical components. Driving a car is an example of a complex skill. The physical components are easy to spot. A driver has to be able to see the road, turn the steering wheel, brake and accelerate. The mental components may not be so obvious. Drivers have to have some reading skills to interpret road signs. They also must be able to judge distances. Drivers also need to be able to decide how to respond to potential hazards in the road. These mental components form a significant part of the complex skill we call driving a car.

Development by giving details

Development by telling an incident

Rain in Oklahoma falls hard, often coming down sideways or in the form of mud due to chronic strong winds. One particular rain I remember was when I was a member of Third Corp, stationed at Lawton. One of the Sergeants from our unit was retiring, and we were preparing his retirement party at the club. We had finished setting up and realized that we had forgotten the flag that was to be given to him from our unit as a gift. I and a fellow soldier rushed back to the unit retrieve it when it began to rain. At first, the rain was just those big, pregnant drops that sometimes fall from a clear summer sky, but it quickly transformed into a raging monsoon. Driving in the military jeep, neither of us could see twenty feet in front of us. Not being the driver, I was forced to exit the jeep and walk immediately in front, waiving a flashlight and tapping the hood to signal the driver to advance. The water rose so fast in the road, that within minutes it was washing over the tops of my boots, leaving me drenched. Pay much attention to weathercast before you drive in Oklahoma

Unity in the Paragraph

The concluding sentence

Restate the topic sentence in different words.

A concluding sentence clinches the point made in the paragraph.

It summarizes the paragraph.

Coherence in a Paragraph

Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other.

Put details or examples or incidents in logical order.

Chronological order

To make the perfect peanut and jelly sandwich you will need a plate, a bowl, one tablespoon, peanut butter, grape jelly, and two slices of white bread. First place two slices of white bread on the plate, then mix four tablespoons of peanut butter and four tablespoons of grape jelly into a bowl. Later spread evenly the peanut butter and grape jelly mix on both slices of bread. Next, put the slices of bread together. Finally cut the completed sandwich into four triangles, eat and enjoy.

Order of importance

There are three important qualities necessary in a good boss. In fact the most important is fairness. If the boss is fair, workers can feel that if they do a good job, their work will be appreciated, and their efforts will be rewarded. However, the second most important quality is leadership. The boss should be an example and a teacher. This, in turn, allows workers to learn from a boss so that they can increase their job skills and get promoted. Yet, third most important factor is that the boss acts with consistency. That way the workers know what to expect each day. They know how they’ll be treated and what their share of the workload will be. I would hire a boss with these qualities for myself.

Types of Paragraphs

The narrative paragraph

tells a story

The persuasive paragraph.

tries to convince the audience

The descriptive paragraph

describes something

The expository or explanatory paragraph

gives information or explains something

The narrative paragraph

Narrative paragraphs tell a story or an event or series of events, usually in chronological order. Most short stories and newspaper articles are examples of narrative writing.

The narrative paragraph

Larry suddenly woke up from a deep sleep. The sun was dazzling his half-open eyes, and he couldn’t figure out what time it was. The door to his room was closed; the house was immersed in some sort of reckless silence. He slowly got out of his bed and approached the bench right next to the window. For a moment, he thought, he heard a tapping sound coming from the attic. Then again he heard the sound, only this time it seemed to be somewhat closer. He looked outside the window and saw a man going by the left side of the road. On seeing Larry, the man approached his garden’s fence and whistled. At this point, Larry recognized Nick and waved his hand. He quickly got dressed and was about the get down to open the gate, but he again heard someone murmuring in the other part of the house. Larry decided to go to the attic and see what was causing this, now buzzing, sound. He got to the second floor of his house and looked toward the attic. He quickly opened its door and looked inside. Nothing was found. He was about to turn back and attend to his guest when he, suddenly, slipped on the stairs and fell. He called out to Nick to help him get up.

The narrative paragraph

Elements of a Narrative Paragraph

Narrative paragraphs contain several regular elements:

Protagonist – in the above paragraph, the protagonist is Larry who is introduced at the very beginning of the story;

Setting – Larry’s house is the setting. From the paragraph, reader can learn about his bedroom (where he woke up), it is also clear that it’s a two-storey house with an attic, and a fenced garden;

Goal – the goal of the story is Nick visiting Larry;

Obstacle – what stops Larry from coming down, and earlier on, from concentrating on getting dressed are repeating bizarre sounds coming from all parts of the house;

Climax – Larry trying to check what was causing the sound;

Resolution – Larry falls from the stairs and calls out to Nick to help him get up.

The persuasive paragraph

Persuasive paragraphs are used to share an opinion about a particular subject. Writers of persuasive paragraphs try to convince readers to agree with the opinions in the paragraphs and, sometimes, to take action. A persuasive paragraph often uses order of importance

The persuasive paragraph

Homework is an important part of the learning process in middle school. One reason is that homework gives students additional practice of skills covered in class. Middle school classes are too short to teach a new concept and practice it sufficiently for students to master. Students need both guided practice in class and independent practice at home. Another reason for homework is that it provides time to complete longer assignments. For example, the ideal composition process allows time for students to think and to reflect on their ideas, as well as time to revise and to proofread their writing. Also, reports and special projects often require research that can not always be done at school. In addition, since all students do not work at the same speed, giving students time at home to finish work keeps them from falling behind. Finally, the most important reason for homework is that it ensures review. New material and old material are practiced in daily assignments. Students who do their homework daily are prepared for tests and make better grades. In conclusion, not only is homework essential to mastering new skills and maintaining previously learned skills, but it also guarantees constant review and provides time for longer assignments, as well as additional time for students who need it. Students, do your daily homework, make better grades, and learn more!

The descriptive paragraph

It describes a person, an object, or a scene in detail.

Watson and the Shark is a painting by John Copely. In the foreground of the painting, a man is being attacked by a huge gray shark in the cold and choppy seawater. One small overloaded rowboat is near the man and the frightening shark. There are nine horrified men in this rowboat. They are trying to rescue the man. One young man takes a long spear and wants to kill the shark. Some people are reaching for his hand, and some are throwing a rope for him to catch. In the background of the painting, under the dark and cloudy sky, there are many ships stopping in the stormy harbor. The whole painting makes people feel tension and fear.

The expository or explanatory paragraph

is used for explanation. it can list facts, give directions, or explain ideas.

You can make pizza at home by combining the right ingredients and then cooking it at the proper temperature for the correct amount of time.

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