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Types f Paragraph

Dr. Sarwet Rasul

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Previous Session• What is a paragraph?• Selection of topic sentence and controlling idea• Types of paragraph in a composition:

– introductory, – body, – transitional – And concluding

• Techniques and Devices to Develop Good Paragraphs• Exercises and Activities

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Current Session

• Types of paragraph: Another way of looking at paragraphs

– Descriptive paragraph

– Narrative paragraph

– Expository paragraph

– Argumentative and Persuasive paragraph

– Defining paragraph

– Comparison and classification paragraph

– Process oriented paragraph

– Evaluative paragraph

Tips for writing each type

Exercises and activities

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• In order to write coherent essays, students need to learn about the basic functions of various paragraphs in college writing. Most paragraphs will have several functions to fulfill at a time and it is important to know under what circumstances their functions can be conjoined, if at all.

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Sources for types of paragraphs: (http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/), www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources, suite101.com/article/seven-types-of-paragraphs-a99946 www.write.armstrong.edu/handouts/Modes.pdf, and (https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:cF5VsSt2YPIJ

Different Types of Paragraphs 1. Descriptive Paragraph• When writing this type of paragraph, you describe something

with words that allow your reader almost to "see" what you are describing.

• A descriptive paragraph provides specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like.

• The basic objective of descriptive writing is the depiction of the appearance of people, places, and things. The writer helps recreate for the reader sense impressions (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) that have been experienced or observed by the writer.

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Cont… 1. Descriptive Paragraph• Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic.

• In a paragraph developed by detail, the topic sentence is supported by factual material, either sense impressions or conceptual facts. Almost all writing has some detail in it.

• Description is not what you saw, but what readers need to see in order to imagine the scene, person,

• object, etc.• • Description requires you to record a series of detailed

observations. Be especially careful to make real observations.

• The success of a description lies in the difference between what a reader can imagine and what you actually saw and recorded; from that gap arises a spark of engagement.

• •Use sensory language. Go light on adjectives and adverbs. • Look for ways to describe action. • Pay special attention to the sound and rhythm of words; use

these when you can.

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Cont… Descriptive Paragraph

• Use strong verbs and colorful adjectives in a descriptive paragraph

• Verb Examples: run, leap, jump, shout, whisper

• Adjective Examples: smelly, disgusting, gorgeous, radiant, brilliant, black, tall

• Sample Sentences with strong verbs and colorful adjectives:

• "The petite young girl merrily skipped around the blossoming, fragrant bushes."

• "A strong, putrid odor flowed through the musty air outside the garbage dumpster."

• Each sentence lets the reader see (and smell!) what is being described.

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• Examples of Descriptive Paragraphs.doc

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Cont… 2. Narrative Paragraph• This type of paragraph describes one primary topic and

narrates or tells a specific story.• It usually involves one main happening, event, adventure,

scene etc.• The basic objective of narrative writing is the recreation of a

sequence of events. The elements of a good narrative are characters, a natural time sequence, plot, dialogue, and a point worth considering.

• Tips: • 1. To tell the story go chronologically, from start to finish. A

sequential presentation of the events adds up to a story.

• 2. Normally be chronological (though sometimes use flashbacks)

• •3. Start with a topic sentence that grabs the reader's attention.

• 4. A narrative paragraph provides lots of detail but stays on topic so use plenty of interesting details.

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Cont… 2. Narrative Paragraph

• A narrative differs from a mere listing of events. Narration usually contains characters, a setting, a conflict, and a resolution. Time and place and person are normally established. Specific details always help a story, but so does interpretive language. You do not just lay the words on the page; you point them in the direction of a story.

• Example of how to start your narrative paragraph with a strong topic sentence and beginning:

"This past weekend I had the time of my life since I had my best friend over. We made a delicious, mouth-watering pizza for dinner, after which we had a friendly video game competition."

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Cont… 2. Narrative Paragraph• Use transition words to move from event to event • "On Saturday, my dad took us out on the boat. The weather

was perfect and the water was warm. It was a great day to go for a swim. Later that night, we went to the movies. We saw an action-packed thriller and ate a lot of popcorn. Finally, on Sunday, we rode our bikes all over town. By the end of the day, my legs were very tired. I only hope that next weekend can be as fun as this one."

• Do you see how the some words help move the narrative naturally from one thing to the next?

• This paragraph keeps everything in order and gives lots of detail about one thing: the weekend.

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• Examples of Narrative Paragraphs.doc

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Cont… 3. Expository Paragraph

• Often times, this kind of a paragraph is used as a component of other types of writing. It’s written in order to clarify or explain problems and phenomena. Writing exposition paragraphs requires strict focus on evidence and objective language. It can contain elements of comparison and contrast, or cause and effect writing as both facilitate accurate exposition of the subject-matter.

• When writing this type of paragraph, you provide information.

• You write it in a logical sequence so your reader can follow the ideas.

• Three parts of an Expository Paragraph are: 1. topic sentence,2. supporting sentences in a logical sequence, 3. concluding sentence

• Exposition is explanatory writing

• Exposition can be an incidental part of a description or a �narration, or it can be the heart of an article

• Aside from clarity, the key problem with exposition is credibility. �What makes your explanation believable?

• Normally, writers solve this problem by citing authorities who have good credentials and good reason to be experts in the subject.

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• Examples of Expository Paragraph.doc

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Cont… 4. Argumentative or Persuasive Paragraph

• This paragraph is of the kind of writing used widely in editorials and columns, and it uses a direct, exhortatory approach: Believe Me and Do It!

• A persuasive paragraph may also serve as the message of “OK, now get up and act!"

• To persuade people to change their minds or take an action, more is needed than your opinion or sense of conviction.

• You need to supply them with the information, analysis, and context they need to form their own opinions, make their own judgments, and take action.

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• Examples of Argumentative Paragraph.doc

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Cont… 5. Defining Paragraph • Definition paragraphs are used in order to explain the meaning,

origin and function of things. They are used both in academic writing and fiction. To write a definition paragraph, writers should concentrate on the role of its subject in the context of the essay and account for evidence as well as examples accordingly.

• Defining paragraphs demand more accuracy in presentation.

• You can define in different ways such as using an authentic source such as dictionary; or you can define by characteristics.

• Be careful of the danger that it may become monotonous when you define anything by the "according to Webster's" method. Meaning is found in the world, not in the dictionary; so relate it to real world as well.

• Sometimes saying what something is NOT can help readers; but make a strong effort to say what it IS.

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Cont… 6. Comparison and Classification paragraph • There is a helpful technique for writing a comparison. If you

follow it, your comparisons will benefit.• •• Before writing a comparison, draw up a chart and fill it in, to

make certain you have all the elements necessary to write a comparison.

• If you do not make such a chart, there is a chance you will have loop- holes in your comparison.

• Devise a system of presenting comparisons.

• Above all tell at the beginning about that system.

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Cont… 6. Comparison and Classification paragraph

• The classification paragraph is usually expository and is a process of grouping terms or ideas that are related in some specific way.

• Writing classification paragraphs requires a more varied approach. It should be concentrated on defining as well as making relevant comparisons. In other words, writers should classify the subject of the paragraph in a specific context providing comparisons to corresponding ideas. Classification can be performed on multiple levels – semantic (comparing different meanings of things), linguistic (using vocabulary to show contrast), and more.

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Cont… 7. Process Analysis Paragraph• Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow

a sequence—first, second, third. Writing about a process is a rhetorical strategy that reports a sequence of actions by which something is done or made. A process usually proceeds chronologically—first do this, then do that.

• In describing how a process happens or how to perform a series of actions, always think of your readers: can they follow this?

• Analyze the process into a series of steps. Put the steps into sequence.

• Then isolate the steps: number them or give a logical sequence

• Use illustrations keyed to the steps when appropriate: people can often read diagrams better than they can read lists of steps

• Always ask an outsider to read your process analysis to see if it can be followed. Once you are close to a subject, it is difficult to know when you have left something out.

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Cont… 8. Evaluative paragraph

• The basis of an evaluative paragraph or essay is to put a value on something (literature, drama, objects, food, movies, etc.) To begin an evaluation the writer must first set the criteria on which the object is being judged.

paragraph types exercise.doc

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Once you have worked on a paragraph……..

Edit for

Coherence

Redundancy(repetition)

Sentence errorSpelling and

grammar

Check that thoughts are

linked

Check appropriacy of

language

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Review of the session

• Types of paragraph– Descriptive paragraph– Narrative paragraph – Expository paragraph– Argumentative and Persuasive paragraph– Defining paragraph– Comparison and classification paragraph– Process oriented paragraph– Evaluative paragraph Tips for writing each typeExercises and activities

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Thank you !