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Effective Paragraph Writing

Body of the

Paragraph

Unity

Topic SentenceConcluding Sentence

CoherenceEmphasis

Effective Paragraph Writing

5-Steps

Techniques

Before

Principles

DuringAfter

5 Steps in Paragraph Writing

• Decide on the controlling idea and create a topic sentence.• Explain the controlling idea.• Give an example/s.• Explain the example/s.• Complete the paragraph’s idea or

transition into the next paragraph.

example/s

Techniques in Good Writing

• Keep in mind that the reader doesn’t have much time.

What you write must be clear on first reading.

• Know where you are going.Start with an outline to organize your

argument.

• Make what you write easy to read.Short sentences and short paragraphs are

easier to read than long ones.


• Make your writing vigorous and direct.Use active verbs and avoid passive voice.

• Avoid clichés. Find your own words.

• Avoid vague modifiers.Search for the word or phrase that precisely

states your meaning.


• Use specific concrete language.Avoid the use of technical jargon.

• Find the right word.Know its precise meaning.

• Don’t make spelling mistakes.If your writing is careless, the reader may

reasonably doubt the thoroughness of your thinking.


• Don’t overwrite or overstate.No more words than necessary.

• Come to the point.Say what you think in simple declarative

sentences.

• State things as simply as you can.Use familiar words and uncomplicated

sentences.


• Handle numbers consistently.Spell out numbers from 10 and under and

numerals from 11 and above.

• Avoid needless words.If its not important, remove/replace it.

• Be concise, but readable.Don’t leave out words. Write full sentences

and make them count.


• Don’t write like a lawyer or bureaucrat.The slash – as in and/or is bureaucratese.

• Never be content with your first draft.Rewrite, with an eye toward simplifying and

clarifying. Rearrange. Revise. Above all, cut.

• Have somebody to look over your draft.

Articles are reviewed many times even though they are written by professional writers.

Principles in Writing Effective Paragraphs

• Focus on a Main IdeaThe main idea is simply what the paragraph is

about and may be stated in a topic sentence.

• Use specific details.Too little detail produces boring and abstract

paragraphs.

• Develop using a pattern.The structure of a paragraph can take almost an

infinite variety of forms.

Principles in Writing Effective Paragraphs

• Make paragraphs coherent.A paragraph has coherence when the details of

the paragraph fit together in a way that it’s clear to the reader.

• Observe cohesion. Cohesion refers to how group of sentences

“hang together”.

Question/s – Before Writing a Paragraph

• What is my paragraph all about?Specify the topic or idea to be tackled.Mistakes and word-order are to be overlooked.

Question/s – During Writing a Paragraph

• Are my supporting details related to my main idea?• Are my examples enough for the

readers to understand?• Is my paragraph too long?

One or two supporting ideas make the paragraph less convincing and not worth the effort done to provide it. There should be at least three supporting details.

Question/s – After Writing a Paragraph

• Do I have any “obvious” grammar or spelling errors?• Do my paragraphs stand alone and

include transitions?• Does my paragraph/article make

sense?

Make your paragraphs short, clear and effective.

Example/s:

We should raise city taxes. First of all, we need money to repair old roads and build new roads. We also need more to pay teachers’ salaries and to pay for services such as trash collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to give financial help to the poor citizens of the city. It is clear that the city will have serious problems if taxes are not raised.

Outline/Draft:Topic sentence:

A. Supporting Idea 11.2.3.

B. Supporting Idea 11.2.3.

C. Supporting Idea 11.2.3.

Concluding sentence:

Outline/Draft:Topic sentence: Choosing a college or university can be difficult for high school graduates.

A. Good preparation1. Thorough, solid curriculum2. Qualified professors

B. Affordability1. Ability to pay tuition and living

expenses2. Possibility of scholarships

C. Good location1. Study environment2. Possibilities of part time job in major

Concluding sentence: Students should consider these points carefully so they can choose the most appropriate college of university for them.

Passive and Active Voice:Passive Voice: the subject is being acted upon by the verb (object)Active Voice: the subject performs the action

Passive VoiceAt each concert, at least one tune from a well-

known opera was sung by the soprano.

Active VoiceAt each concert, the soprano sang at least one

tune from a well-known opera.

Passive and Active Voice:

Passive Voice• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.• Five hamburgers must have been eaten by the

man.

Active Voice• Marilyn mailed the letter.• The man must have eaten five hamburgers.

Avoiding Clichés:

turn over every rock for a solution (try hard)

put it to the acid test (test thoroughly)

few and far between (few)

iron out (remove)

last but not the least (last)

Avoiding Vague Modifiers:

very overspent(overspent by Php500)

slightly behind schedule (one day late)

Avoiding Jargons:

parameter(limits, boundaries)

implement (carry out)

optimum(best)

finalize(complete)

Avoiding Needless Words:

take action(act)

have a discussion (discuss)

at the present time(now)

in the majority of instances(most)

Paragraph Patterns:

• Narration• Description• Definition• Example and Illustration• Cause and Effect• Process

and a lot more…

Style is which indicates how the writer takes himself

and what he is saying. It is the mind skating circles

around itself as it moves forward.

-Robert Frost

Thank you…