What is Paragraph Writing?
It's a set of sentences that are interrelated and connected to one core idea. That’s called paragraph writing. Let’s see an example.
Alexei is an outstanding student. She is bright. She is responsible. Alexei is always on time for class and always completes her assignments. Alexei is one of the best students in the school as a result of her dedication.
You can see that our example has five sentences. Remember that a paragraph's first sentence is indented. This indicates that the first sentence is preceded by a space.
So what do you think of how many sentences are in a paragraph? This is a great question. Many teachers differ on this subject.
A paragraph is usually five or six sentences and 100 to 200 words in length. But usually, five sentences is a good number of sentences in a paragraph.
Sometimes you can have less, and sometimes you can have more. And also remember a good paragraph should not be measured in letters, words, or sentences.
In general, Paragraphs are divided into 3 parts.
- Topic Sentence
- Detail Sentences
- Conclusion Sentence
1. The Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is frequently the first sentence of a paragraph. It's introductory, which means it should not contain details. It should express the core point that the body of your paragraph will support.
The topic sentence tells the main idea. What the paragraph is about and what is the main idea. It’s the most important idea in the paragraph.
The topic sentence has two parts.
- The topic
- The main point
Let's look at an example.
Alexei is an outstanding student.
In this sentence, Alexei is the topic of our topic sentence.
The main point is what you are saying about the topic (Alexei).
Our main point is that “she is an outstanding student”.
So the topic and main point give us the topic sentence and the main idea.
2. Detail Sentences (Supporting Sentences)
The next three sentences are explaining and supporting the main idea. They explain and support why Alexei is an outstanding student.
Sometimes detailed sentences give examples. Sometimes detailed sentences give reasons. Sometimes detailed sentences give steps in a process.
They all give reasons that why the topic sentence is true. Because she's bright, she's responsible, and she is always on time for class and always completes her assignments.
Let's change one of the detailed sentences. She is responsible. We'll change that sentence to, she is so beautiful.
Now, does the new detail sentence explain or support the topic sentence? So, does, she is beautiful, explain why Alexei is an outstanding student?
No, it doesn't, because all detailed sentences must explain and support the topic sentence.
3. Conclusion Sentences (Transition Sentence)
The conclusion or transition sentence reminds us of the topic sentence. It uses different words to repeat the main idea from the topic sentence. It does not give new details.
In this paragraph, our conclusion sentence reads, as a result of her dedication, Alexei is one of the best students in the school.
This conclusion sentence reminds us of the topic sentence, Alexei is an outstanding student. It uses a different term to convey a very similar message.
Let's change the conclusion sentence. Instead of what we have now, let's change it to Alexei is a top student because she works hard in school.
So does the new conclusion sentence remind us of the main idea that Alexei is an outstanding student?
Yes, it does because Alexei is a top student because she works hard in the school.
This is very similar to the idea that Alexei is an outstanding student, but it uses different words.
Let's change it again. Now the sentence reads, Alexei is a very good friend to many people at our school.
So does the new conclusion sentence remind us about the main idea that Anna is an outstanding student?
No. The main idea in the new conclusion sentence and the topic sentence is completely different.
One is about Alexei being a friend to people, and the other is about Alexei being an outstanding student. The new conclusion sentence doesn’t match this paragraph.
Types of paragraphs
Descriptive, narrative, explanatory, and persuasive paragraphs are the four types of paragraphs. These four categories provide you complete freedom to write whatever you desire! The English world is your oyster if you grasp the many types of paragraphs and what they're used for. Continue reading to find out more about these paragraphs and how to use them.
1. The descriptive paragraph
The descriptive paragraph explains something or a person and shows the reader what it's like. The five senses of touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste are frequently appealed to in the description. Descriptive paragraphs can be creative and break grammatical rules.
2. The Narrative Paragraph
The narrative paragraph tells a story. There is a definite beginning, middle, and end to the paragraph, or there is a sequence of action.
Descriptive paragraphs are like the building blocks you need to tell a story. This type of paragraph describes something that happened. He probably then told you a story about an incident that happened to him. This is what a narrative paragraph is but in writing.
3. The Expository Paragraph
The expository paragraph clarifies or instructs the reader. It could also be used to describe a procedure and guide the reader through it step by step. Although this type of paragraph frequently needs research, the writer may be able to rely on his or her own knowledge and expertise.
4. The Persuasive Paragraph
This sort of paragraph attempts to convince the reader to accept or understand the writer's point of view. Many teachers emphasize this style of a paragraph because it is useful in constructing an argument. It frequently needs fact gathering and study.
Essential Features of a Paragraph
- A paragraph must have UNITY. It should deal with one topic or idea.
- Every sentence must be closely connected with the topic.
- A paragraph general begins with a sentence that gives a clue to the subject matter.
- A paragraph should have COHERENCE. The facts and ideas should be arranged in a logical order of thought.
- In a good paragraph, sentences should differ in length and form.
- Generally, a paragraph is written in 100 words or the prescribed word limit.
- Some writers often end their paragraphs with a sentence that concludes what has been said in the paragraph.