PARAGRAPH WRITING

By Bhavya Ramdas

What is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is often defined as a group of related sentences in which one single, main idea is developed.

In a typical paragraph, the first sentence declares the main topic of the paragraph and the rest of the sentences develop or support the main idea.

A paragraph is most often a part of a longer composition comprising of several paragraphs.

WORDS

SENTENCES

PARAGRAPH

In short, a paragraph is. . .

A group of sentences A clear main idea Supporting information Part of a longer composition A miniature essay!

A good paragraph has . . .

Unity Support Coherence Good Language Variety of Structures

Unity

One main idea Topic Sentence Other sentences support

Coherence

Well organized details• Spatial

• Chronological

• Importance

• logical

A clear, sensible connection Linkers/connectors

Activity 1Rearrange the below sentences:-

1. It contains, of course, the meanings of difficult words.

2. One of the most important reference tools that you must possess is a dictionary.

3. It also gives you the pronunciation of the words.

4. You do possess one, perhaps, but I doubt whether you are aware of the different kinds of information it contains.

5. The dictionary can be referred to for the various grammatical forms of the words.

6. Every college dictionary should provide at least these four kinds of information about words, namely, pronunciation, meaning, grammatical patterns and usage.

7. Finally, a good dictionary contains illustrative sentences or phrases, showing how words are actually used.

2One of the most important reference tools that you must possess is a dictionary.

4You do possess one, perhaps, but I doubt whether you are aware of the different kinds of information it contains.

1It contains, of course, the meanings of difficult words.

3It also gives you the pronunciation of the words.

5The dictionary can be referred to for the various grammatical forms of the words.

7Finally, a good dictionary contains illustrative sentences or phrases, showing how words are actually used.

6Every college dictionary should provide at least these four kinds of information about words, namely, pronunciation, meaning, grammatical patterns and usage.

2One of the most important reference tools that you must possess is a dictionary.

4You do possess one, perhaps, but I doubt whether you are aware of the different kinds of information it contains.

1It contains, of course, the meanings of difficult words.

3It also gives you the pronunciation of the words.

5The dictionary can be referred to for the various grammatical forms of the words.

7Finally, a good dictionary contains illustrative sentences or phrases, showing how words are actually used.

6Every college dictionary should provide at least these four kinds of information about words, namely, pronunciation, meaning, grammatical patterns and usage.

TOPIC SENTENCE

LinkersCause & Effect

as a result

because

hence

since

so

Difference

although

but

however

instead

Though

Importance

at first

last

least

most important

next

Place

above

around

behind

here

Nearby

Similarity

also

another

and

in addition to

like

Time

after

before

then

when

finally etc. . . .

More Linkers

above all

additionally

although

apart from

besides

especially

even

for example

for instance

furthermore

further

fortunately

in contrast

in other words

in this case

in the same way

in spite of

Indeed

more importantly

moreover

of course

on the contrary

on the other had

surely

similarly

such

thus

whereas etc . . .

Support

Supporting ideas Evidence Examples Detail

Good Language

Grammatical Accuracy Correct Punctuation Apt Vocabulary Variety of Structures

Types of Paragraphs

DESCRIPTIVE tell/

describe

NARRATIVE express/ entertain

INFORMATIVE inform/explain

PERSUASIVEinfluence/persuade

Descriptive Paragraph describes something or someone

Informative Paragraph explains an idea and inform facts

Persuasive Paragraph tries to convince the reader of somethingHow much homework is too much? Everyday students stays up very late to finish their homework. After a stressful day in school, after hard practice for school sports team and maybe some hours of work, they come home and only thing they want to do is going to bed. But they can't because they have to do a bunch of homework. An average student gets about 30 minutes of homework a day per class. If one has 7 periods a day, that makes 3.5 hours of homework every night! Sure, it’s important to review things you have learned at school to keep it afresh in mind. But the students need to schedule time for leisure and entertainment as well.

Narrative Paragraph decribes an event or tells a story

Process of Writing

Gather - relevant information

Organize - meaningful sequence

Draft - first/rough draft

Edit - check, revise, refine

Publish - final version

QUESTION TIME!!!

Which are the types of paragraphs?

This type of paragraph gives you important facts about something…

Which type of paragraph describes or tells a story?

Which type of paragraph describes a person?

This type of paragraph tries to convince you about something…

Activity 2

Write a paragraph in 100-120 words using the hints below:

English – global language – more than a 100 countries – nearly 50% world population – internal and international communication – library language – research and publications – web language