ELT 207 – ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING

(2:00-5:00PM)
“Paragraph Development”

“A solidly written paragraph takes its readers on a clear path, without detours.”

A paragraph is a section of writing that covers a single point that explains something
specific or argues a specific thing to support the thesis of the whole writing or an essay. This
paragraph contains a collection of sentences that argue about the specific item.

You can approach each new paragraph by beginning it on a new line. In some cases, you can
construct indented or numbered paragraphs.

Pre-Test

Identification:

Direction: Read each statement carefully and identify what is being asked. Write your answer on
the space provided before each number.

________1. It is a group of sentences organized around a central topic.

________2. It is a part of the paragraph which tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be
about.

________3. It is a part of the paragraph which provides a logical conclusion based on the
information found in the supporting sentences.

________4. Element of a paragraph which refers to the way you organize your supporting
sentences.

________5. Element of a paragraph which means a paragraph is well-developed.

________6. Type of paragraph which are most frequently used in fiction and personal statements.

________7. Written in order to clarify or explain problems and phenomena.

________8. Used in order to explain the meaning, origin and function of things.

________9. Concentrated on defining as well as making relevant comparisons.

 ________10. Help the readers to understand a story setting by creating visual pictures and giving
readers a mental image of a scene.

Let’s Ponder!

It is a group of sentences organized around a central topic. This paragraph contains a collection of
sentences that argue about the specific item.

PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH

1. Topic Sentence – tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about
- it also helps the writing under control.
- sometimes called the “controlling idea” of a paragraph.
2. Supporting Sentence – make the topic more interesting or help explain it
more clearly
- it helps support a topic sentence through providing
sensory details, facts or examples that expand upon,
explain or prove a paragraph’s main idea or topic
sentence.
3. Clincher/Concluding Sentence – provides a logical conclusion based on the information
found in the supporting sentences.
-Also used to cement the main idea in the reader’s mind.

FOUR ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

1. UNITY - Refers to the extent to which all of the ideas contained within a given paragraph
‘hang together’ in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. Unity in a paragraph begins with
the topic sentence.

2. ORDER - Refers to the way you organize your supporting sentences.

Whether in chronological order, order of importance, or another
presentation detail
- Helps the reader grasp the meaning and avoid confusion

3. COHERENCE - The quality makes your writing understandable.

Closely related to unity.
Paragraphs need to connect each other and work together as a whole.
- Uses transition words that show order (first, second, third); logic (furthermore,
in addition, in fact)
4. COMPLETENESS - This means a paragraph is well developed.
If all sentences clearly and sufficiently support the main idea.

TYPES OF PARAGRAPH

NARRATION PARAGRAPH

 Are most frequently used in fiction and personal statements.

 Requires consequently, accounting for sequential order of events and chronology.
 Like telling the reader a story.
 ELEMENTS: Protagonist, Setting, Goal, Climax, Resolution

Example of Narrative Paragraph

The one day I spent in Morocco, Africa was an experience of a lifetime. When I finally
reached Morocco and got off the bus, there were four little girls standing shoeless in the hot sun.
After I swallowed my tears, I could not even try to picture this in America as it is not something
you often see in the U.S. Meanwhile, my tourist guide instructed me not to give them money as it
encouraged the children to beg; however, I was wearing four silver bracelets. As I walked over to
the girls, their eyes watched my every move. Then I kneeled down to their level while I gave each
girl a bracelet. They stood there gleaming at me, for they were pleased. I felt completely in disbelief
that this tiny gesture could mean so much. Though this experience was upsetting, and a huge
culture shock, it will stay with me forever.

EXPOSITION PARAGRAPH

 Written in order to clarify or explain problems and phenomena, and requires strict focus on
evidence and objective language.
 Provides essential examples as well as comparison and contrast, or cause and effect writing
as both facilitate accurate exposition of the subject matter.
 ELEMENTS: Formal Language, Evidence, Explanation, Background

Example of Exposition Paragraph

A disease that causes chronic gastrological disorders, IBD, is envisioned in a spectrum of

severities. Cats can vomit heavily, and suffer from continuous diarrhea. Reasons for the disease
are yet unknown. Bacterial infections, gastrological irritation, lack of vitamins are often quoted as
factors contributing to the development of the disease. Veterinarians, treating IBD in management
as well as make surgical choices. If untreated, IBD, can be fatal for cats. Research-conducted
mostly by pet owners-shows that a cat’s diet can be critical. Further research will include
inspection of several vaccines. So far, grain-free, raw meat diet has already proved to be largely
beneficial.
DEFINITION PARAGRAPH

 Used in order to explain the meaning, origin and function of things. They are used both in
academic writing and fiction.
 Serves the purpose of giving a reader a complete definition of a concept, a term or an idea.
 ELEMENTS: Explanation of Meaning, Account of the Origin of Things, Methods,
Examples and Comparisons, Citing Verifiable Sources

Example of Definition Paragraph

The IAU has so far recognized five dwarf planets differentiated from planets by a parameter
of “planetary discriminant” which allows estimating the capacity to dominate orbits. According to
Nation Master Encyclopedia dwarf planets follow orbits which are not free from other minor
celestial bodies. Simultaneously, they always circulate the Sun and not other celestial objects (they
are not satellites).
Several dwarf planets have already been scrutinized effectively. Their physical properties have
been calculated through routine Earth-based observations as well as advanced image-searching
software. Since current data may not be entirely accurate, further examinations are undertaken by
astronomers and physicists world-wide.

CLASSIFICATION PARAGRAPH

 Concentrated on defining as well as making relevant comparisons.

Performed on Multiple Levels:
Semantic – comparing different meanings of things
Linguistic – using vocabulary to show contrast
 ELEMENTS: Descriptive Vocabulary, Multiple Contextualization, Definition,
Comparison

Example of Classification Paragraph

A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a clingy, a boastful or awkward.
Successful first dates include both parties expressing information about what they like, who they
are, and so forth. Usually, these dates will end up with one of the parties practically begging for
information about the other. However, the non-clinger is not interested. On boastful dates, one
member of the duo talks about all of his or her skills, talents and abilities. The listening end of the
pair is never asked about his or her life. Awkward first dates generally involve lots of silence or
one or both of the partners not knowing how to act appropriately. While many dates occur every
day, they can generally fall into one of these categories.
DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPH

 Describing and creating a dominant sensory impression to the readers.

 Help the readers to understand a story setting by creating visual pictures and giving readers
a mental image of a scene.
 Should be detailed, clear, and render the represented reality chronologically.
 ELEMENTS: Information, Context, Descriptive Language
Example of Description Paragraph
“Let’s walk,” she says serenely, slipping her arm in mine and heading into Central Park.
As she strolls along, folks check her out and occasionally point. She is tall, strong and straight-
backed, glowing with vegan health and moving confidently through the crowds in her all-black
ensemble. In videos and photos, she looks like she has prominent jaw, but in person it is much
softer, as are her other features (Windex-blue eyes, glossy black hair). Her voice is gentle and
melodious, and she looks you square in the eye when she speaks.
--from Jancee Dunn’s “The Cole Truth,” Rolling Stone 786, May 1998.
PROCESS ANALYSIS PARAGRAPH

 Very concise and uses formal, non-descriptive vocabulary.

 It should be written in chronological order accounting for subsequent actions or events.
 ELEMENTS: Chronology, Clarity, Explanation
Example of Process Analysis Paragraph

The problem of hairballs that have already formed in cat’s fur can be solved by proper
brushing. In order to brush your cat’s hairballs, you’ll need two kind of brushes: a wide-teeth wipe
and a metallic one. The former will help you dissolve and, partially, remove tightly knotted
hairballs without causing any pain or discomfort to your cat. The latter, used subsequently, will
remove excess of loose puffy hair and decrease the possibility of reoccurrence the next day. Once
brushing is over, make sure to polish your cat’s fur all over his body with the help of a clean, cotton,
or woolen cloth.
PERSUASION PARAGRAPH

 Require exhortatory and dynamic language.

 Are aimed at persuading the reader into taking a particular action or adopting a certain
point of view.

Example of a Persuasion Paragraph

Plan ahead before you go camping in Florida. Don’t wind up in the wilds when you want
to be near Disney World, and don’t wind up on a concrete RV pad when you really want the forest
primeval. Find out what parks are available, and what to expect, and what options are. This can
make all the difference in the quality of your vacation.

WAYS IN DEVELOPING A PARAGRAPH

1. CREATING AN OUTLINE – Write down the main points that you wish to discuss in the paragraph
first. Aim for two or three main points.

- Underneath each main point, add a piece of supporting evidence from a journal,
novel, poem etc.
 2. TOPIC SENTENCE DEVELOPMENT – It should discuss an idea only in generic terms without
proving too many details

3. SUPPORTING DETAILS

4. USING QUOTATIONS AND EVIDENCE

5. ANALYZING QUOTATIONS AND EVIDENCE

6. PROVIDING STRONG, RELEVANT INFORMATION – Important facts, textual analysis and all of the
information must be relevant. Stay focused!

7. USING CONCISE LANGUAGE – Words such as “good”, “nice”, and “bad”, are extremely vague
and should not be used in professional writing. Find clearer words – “respectful”, “giving”,
and “selfish”

8. USING COLORFUL AND CLEAR WORDS – Furthermore, do not use confusing words or words of
which you do not know the meaning, because your lack of understanding will translate to
the reader.

9. CRAFTING A STRONG CONCLUSION STATEMENT – At the end of one paragraph, suggest that there is
another idea that piggybacks on top of the one that you have discussed, or state that there
are some disagreeing ideas in the field.

10. UTILIZING APPROPRIATE TRANSITION words – Example: Order (first, second, last)
Spatial Relationships (above, below)
Logic (furthermore, in addition, in fact)
11. FOLLOWING PROPER GRAMMAR rules – Ensure that your paper is free of grammar errors.

Post-Test

I. Identification:

Direction: Read each statement carefully and identify what is being asked. Write your answer on
the space provided before each number.

________1. It is a group of sentences organized around a central topic.

________2. It is a part of the paragraph which tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be
about.
________3. It is a part of the paragraph which provides a logical conclusion based on the
information found in the supporting sentences.

________4. Element of a paragraph which refers to the way you organize your supporting
sentences.

________5. Element of a paragraph which means a paragraph is well-developed.

________6. Type of paragraph which are most frequently used in fiction and personal statements.

________7. Written in order to clarify or explain problems and phenomena.

________8. Used in order to explain the meaning, origin and function of things.

________9. Concentrated on defining as well as making relevant comparisons.

________10. Help the readers to understand a story setting by creating visual pictures and giving
readers a mental image of a scene.

II. True or False

Direction. Read each statement carefully. Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is
false. Write your answer on the space provided before each number.
_____1. Clincher sentence also used to cement the main idea in the reader’s mind.
_____2. The four essential elements of a paragraph are unity, order, coherence and completeness.
_____3. Unity in a paragraph begins with a quotation.
_____4. Paragraph writing is the foundation of all essay writing, whether the form is expository,
persuasive, narrative, etc.
_____5. Paragraph is generally longer that an essay.
_____6. Narration paragraph is like telling the reader a story.
_____7. The elements of expository paragraph are information, context and descriptive language.
_____8. Process analysis paragraph is very concise and uses formal, non-descriptive vocabulary.
_____9. One way of developing a paragraph is creating an outline.
_____10. In some cases, you can construct indented or numbered paragraphs.

References: www.slideshare.net/jam18/paragraph-23498654
Types of Paragraphs: based on Writing, Structure and Format (learnpar.com)

Prepared by: Miss Joan A. Almanon – MAED - ELT