CHAPTER 2

Paragraph Writing Skills

INTRODUCTION

Effective writers employ a variety of techniques in their writing to make it

readable and effective for readers. However, the kind of writing dictates the
techniques to be employed by the writer. Good paragraphs should have a definite
structure with an opening, development, and ending. Each paragraph should have
a purpose and it should be clear to the reader what the main idea is in each
paragraph.
So in this lesson, you are expected to do the following task:
1. determine the main and controlling ideas in sentences; and
2. develop a well-written paragraph.

LESSON PROPER

ELEMENTS OF A
GOOD PARAGRAPH
[ paragraph ]
Paragraphs are comprised of sentences, but not random
sentences. A paragraph is a group of sentences organized around a
central topic. In fact, the cardinal rule of paragraph writing is to
focus on one idea. A solidly written paragraph takes its readers on a
clear path, without detours. Master the paragraph, and you’ll be on
your way to writing “gold-star” essays, term papers, and stories.

A basic paragraph structure usually consists of five

How to Write a
sentences: the topic sentence, three supporting sentences,
and a concluding sentence. But, the secrets to paragraph Paragraph Using the
writing lay in four essential elements, which when used Four Essential
correctly, can make an ‘okay’ paragraph into
a great paragraph. Elements?

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 ELEMENT NO. 1

Unity. Unity in a paragraph begins ELEMENT NO. 3

with the topic sentence. Every paragraph
has one single, controlling idea that is Coherence. Coherence is the quality
expressed in its topic sentence, which is that makes your writing understandable.
typically the first sentence of the paragraph. Sentences within a paragraph need to
A paragraph is unified around this main connect to each other and work together as
idea, with the supporting sentences a whole. One of the best ways to achieve
providing detail and discussion. In order to coherency is to use transition words. These
write a good topic sentence, think about words create bridges from one sentence to
your theme and all the points you want to the next. You can use transition words that
make. Decide which point drives the rest, show order (first, second, third); spatial
and then write it as your topic sentence. relationships (above, below) or logic
(furthermore, in addition, in fact). Also, in
writing a paragraph, using a consistent verb
tense and point of view are important
ingredients for coherency.

ELEMENT NO. 2

Order. Order refers to the way you

organize your supporting sentences.
Whether you choose chronological order, ELEMENT NO. 4
order of importance, or another logical
presentation of detail, a solid paragraph Completeness. Completeness means
always has a definite organization. In a a paragraph is well-developed. If all
well-ordered paragraph, the reader follows sentences clearly and sufficiently support
along easily, aided by the pattern you’ve the main idea, then your paragraph is
established. Order helps the reader grasp complete. If there are not enough sentences
your meaning and avoid confusion. or enough information to prove your thesis,
then the paragraph is incomplete. Usually
three supporting sentences, in addition to a
topic sentence and concluding sentence, are
needed for a paragraph to be complete. The
concluding sentence or last sentence of the
paragraph should summarize your main
idea by reinforcing your topic sentence.

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Paragraph Development
Basic paragraph structure

In many languages, the fundamental unit of composition is the

paragraph. A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped
together. This group of sentences together discusses one main subject.
In U.S. formal academic English, paragraphs have three principal parts.
These three parts are the topic sentence, body sentences, and the
concluding sentence. We will also talk briefly about details in
paragraphs.

A strong paragraph contains three (Notice how the first sentence begins
distinct components: with "My hometown..." a few spaces to
1. Topic sentence. The topic sentence is the right of the paragraph edge. This
the main idea of the paragraph.
is an indentation. All paragraphs in
2. Body. The body is composed of the
English MUST begin with an
supporting sentences that develop the main
point. indentation.)
3. Conclusion. The conclusion is the final Note how the first sentence, my
sentence that summarizes the main point. hometown, Wheaton, is famous for
several amazing geographical features,
- The Topic Sentence -
is the most general statement. This
A topic sentence usually comes at
the beginning of a paragraph; that is, it is sentence is different from the two
usually the first sentence in a formal sentences that follow it, since the
academic paragraph. (Sometimes this is second and third sentences mention
not true, but as you practice writing with specific details about the town's
this online lesson site, please keep to this geography, and are not general
rule unless you are instructed otherwise.) statements.
Not only is a topic sentence the first
sentence of a paragraph, but, more Here are some examples of sentences
importantly, it is the most general sentence that cannot be used as topic
in a paragraph. What does "most general" sentences. Can you figure out why
mean? It means that there are not many they are inappropriate?
details in the sentence, but that the
sentence introduces an overall idea that My hometown is famous because it is
you want to discuss later in the paragraph. located by Wheaton River, which is
very wide, and because it is built near
For example, suppose that you want an unusually steep hill called Wheaton
to write a paragraph about the natural Hill.
landmarks of your hometown. The first
part of your paragraph might look like this:
There are two reasons why some
My hometown is famous for people like to buy cars with automatic
several amazing natural features.
transmission and two reasons why
First, it is noted for the Wheaton River,
others like cars with manual
which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on
transmission.
the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill,
which is unusual because it is very steep.
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The problem with sentence #1 is that it (Again, note how this paragraph is
contains too many details. Topic indented on the first line, about five or
sentences are general, and details should seven spaces in from the left-hand edge
appear later in the paragraph. A better of the paragraph. Always remember to
topic sentence would be like the one indent your paragraphs!)
mentioned above, my hometown is famous
for several amazing geographical features. When a reader reads a topic sentence,
such as My hometown, Wheaton, is
Sentence #2 is not appropriate as a topic famous for several amazing natural
sentence because it mentions two topics, features, a question should usually
not just one. Paragraphs are usually appear in the reader's mind. In this
about one main thing and so their topic case, the question should be like, "What
sentences should also be about only one are the natural features that make
main thing. Wheaton famous?" The reader should
then expect that the rest of the
The problem with sentence #3 is that it is paragraph will give an answer to this
too general. It is also very boring! Would question.
you like to read a paragraph with this topic
sentence? Most people would not. Now look at the sentences after the
topic sentence. We can see that the
We can rewrite sentences #2 and #3 in the second sentence in the paragraph, First,
following ways to make it better: it is noted for the Wheaton River, which
is very wide and beautiful, indeed gives
There are two reasons why some people an answer to this question. That is, the
like to buy cars with automatic second sentence gives some explanation
transmission. for the fact that Wheaton is a famous
OR (in a different paragraph): town. Similarly, we can see that the
third sentence also gives some
There are two reasons why some people explanation for the fact that Wheaton is
like cars with manual transmission. famous by giving another example of an
"amazing natural feature," in this case,
The shapes of clouds are determined by Wheaton Hill.
various factors.
The second and third sentences are
- Supporting Sentences - called supporting sentences. They are
Consider again the above-mentioned, short called "supporting" because they
paragraph: "support," or explain, the idea
expressed in the topic sentence. Of
My hometown, Wheaton, is famous for course, paragraphs in English often have
several amazing natural features. First, it more than two supporting ideas. The
is noted for the Wheaton River, which is paragraph above is actually a very short
very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other paragraph. At minimum, you should
side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is have at least five to seven sentences in
unusual because it is very steep. your paragraph. Here we can see our
paragraph about Wheaton with a few

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My hometown is famous for several My hometown is famous for several
amazing natural features. First, it is amazing natural features. First, it is
noted for the Wheaton River, which noted for the Wheaton River, which is
is very wide and beautiful. Also, on very wide and beautiful. Also, on the
the other side of the town is Wheaton other side of the town is Wheaton Hill,
Hill, which is unusual because it is which is unusual because it is very
very steep. The third amazing feature steep. The third amazing feature is the
is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands Big Old Tree. This tree stands two
two hundred feet tall and is hundred feet tall and is probably about
probably about six hundred years six hundred years old. These three
old. landmarks are truly amazing and
make my hometown a famous
In this lesson, we will talk about place.
supporting sentences again in the
section, “Details in Paragraphs," below. Notice how the concluding sentence,
these three landmarks are truly amazing
- The Concluding Sentence - and make my hometown a famous
In formal paragraphs you will place, summarizes the information in
sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph.
the paragraph which summarizes the
information that has been presented. Notice also how the concluding sentence
This is the concluding sentence. You is similar to, but not exactly the same
can think of a concluding sentence as, the topic sentence.
as a sort of topic sentence in Not all academic paragraphs contain
reverse. concluding sentences, especially if the
paragraph is very short.
You can understand concluding
sentences with this example. Consider However, if your paragraph is very long,
a hamburger that you can buy at a fast- it is a good idea to use a concluding
food restaurant. * A hamburger has a sentence.
top bun (a kind of bread), meat, cheese,
lettuce, and other elements in the - Details in Paragraphs -
middle of the hamburger, and a bottom The short paragraph in this lesson is a
bun. Note how the top bun and the fairly complete paragraph, but it lacks
bottom bun are very similar. The top details. Whenever possible, you should
bun, in a way, is like a topic sentence, include enough details in your
and the bottom bun is like the paragraphs to help your reader
concluding sentence. Both buns "hold" understand exactly what you are writing
the meat, onions, and so on. Similarly, about. In the paragraph about
the topic sentence and concluding Wheaton, three natural landmarks are
sentence "hold" the supporting mentioned, but we do not know very
sentences in the paragraph. much about them. For example, we
could add a sentence or two about
Let's see how a concluding sentence (in Wheaton river concerning HOW wide it
bold font) might look in our sample is or WHY it is beautiful. Consider this
paragraph about Wheaton: revision (and note the additional details
in bold):

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My hometown is famous for several A Note on Formality. In addition to
amazing natural features. First, it is having a particular kind of structure,
noted for the Wheaton River, which is academic paragraphs (and multi-
very wide and beautiful. On either side paragraph essays, which will be topic of
of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are another lesson) are different from
many willow trees which have long "ordinary writing" (such as letter
branches that can move gracefully in the writing) in that certain kinds of
wind. In autumn the leaves of these expressions are not allowed. For
trees fall and cover the riverbanks like example, in formal essays, you
golden snow. Also, on the other side of should not use contractions such as
the town is Wheaton Hill, which is don't or aren't. Instead, you should
unusual because it is very steep. Even write out the words in full, for example,
though it is steep, climbing this hill is do not and are not.
not dangerous, because there are some
firm rocks along the sides that can be Also, in formal essays you should
used as stairs. There are no trees avoid the first and second person. That
around this hill, so it stands clearly is, do not use the pronouns I or you.
against the sky and can be seen from The pronouns we and us are sometimes
many miles away. The third amazing used in formal essays in some major
feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree fields, but in general you should not use
stands two hundred feet tall and is these unless you are certain that they
probably about six hundred years old. are customary in your field and/or your
These three landmarks are truly professor allows them. It is safer simply
amazing and make my hometown a to use the third person.
famous place.

If we wished, we could also add more

details to the paragraph to describe the
third natural feature of the area, the Big
Old Tree.

Why are details important? Consider

the example of the hamburger,
mentioned above.* If the hamburger
buns are the topic and concluding
sentences, then the meat, the cheese,
the lettuce, and so on are the
supporting details. Without the food
between the hamburger buns, your
hamburger would not be very delicious!
Similarly, without supporting details,
your paragraph would not be very
interesting.

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