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Organizing Principles of Paragraphs - Notes&QA

A paragraph is a unit of written discourse centered around a single idea, typically structured with a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding statement. The basic structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, with essential elements being unity, clarity, coherence, and development. Various organizational principles can be used to structure paragraphs effectively, and the usual length is around 250 words or 5-6 sentences.

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272 views5 pages

Organizing Principles of Paragraphs - Notes&QA

A paragraph is a unit of written discourse centered around a single idea, typically structured with a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding statement. The basic structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, with essential elements being unity, clarity, coherence, and development. Various organizational principles can be used to structure paragraphs effectively, and the usual length is around 250 words or 5-6 sentences.

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sania.vashishthh
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES OF PARAGRAPHS

The Structure of a Paragraph

A paragraph is a unit of written discourse with one or more than one sentence
woven around a central idea. The main idea is usually given in the topic sentence (the
sentence that talks about the topic of the paragraph). The basic rule of paragraph
writing is that it focuses on one idea only. This idea is further elaborated with
supporting details in other sentences in the form of suitable examples, proofs, statistical
details, anecdotes etc. The paragraph normally ends with a concluding statement which
rephrases the main idea powerfully.

A paragraph is usually around 250 words and consists of five or six sentences,
although this can vary depending on the purpose of the paragraph, and the length of
the piece you are writing. Paragraphs play an important role in writing because they
provide a framework for organizing your ideas in a logical order.

TSC is an abbreviation that can be used to remember the structure of the paragraph.

T—Topic sentence (Introduction)

S—Supporting details (Body-Discussion)

C – Concluding statement (Conclusion)

Basic structure of a paragraph

The structure of a coherent paragraph includes- Introduction, Body and Conclusion.


Each part of the paragraph plays an important role in communicating the meaning you
intend to convey to the reader.

Introduction: the first section of a paragraph includes - the topic sentence which
focuses on the main idea. The first few sentences also provide background information
about the topic.

Body: follows the introduction; the topic sentence is followed by supporting sentences
that develop the idea using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, and other information.
Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the information
discussed in the body of the paragraph and add a concluding sentence to tie up all
together.

Elements of a good Paragraph

There are four essential elements of paragraph writing and each element contributes to
the whole. The four elements essential to good paragraph writing are:
 Unified—All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single
controlling idea
 Clearly related to the main idea—The sentences should all refer to the central
idea, or the thesis, of the paper.
 Coherent—The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should
follow a definite plan for development.
 Well-developed—Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately
explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain
the paragraph's controlling idea.

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Without well-written paragraphs


that flow logically from one idea to the next and that inform and help support in
some meaningful way the central research problem being investigated, your paper
will not be viewed as credible and, well, you'll probably receive a poor grade.

Structure and Writing Style

I. General Structure

Most paragraphs in an essay parallel the general three-part structure:

Introduction: the first section of a paragraph; should include the topic sentence and
any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background information
or provide a transition.

Body: follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments,
analysis, examples, and other information.
Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the information
discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling idea. For long
paragraphs, you may also want to include a bridge sentence that introduces the next
paragraph or section of the paper. In some instances, the bridge sentence can be
written in the form of a question. However, use this rhetorical device sparingly,
otherwise, ending a lot of paragraphs with a question to lead into the next paragraph
sounds cumbersome.

NOTE: This general structure does not imply that you should not be creative in your
writing. Arranging where each element goes in a paragraph can make a paper more
engaging for the reader. However, do not be too creative in experimenting with the
narrative flow of paragraphs. To do so may distract from the main arguments of your
research and weaken the quality of your academic writing.

Ways to organize a paragraph in academic writing include:

 Narrative: Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish.


 Descriptive: Provide specific details about what something looks or feels like.
Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic.
 Process: Explain step by step how something works. Perhaps follow a sequence—
first, second, third.
 Classification: Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic.
 Illustrative: Give examples and explain how those examples prove your point.

Paragraph organisation principles:


Different ways of organising ideas in a paragraph include:
1. General to specific: Start with the most general idea in your topic sentence and
then use the following sentences to bring in specific examples. Paragraphs 1 and 2
above are both examples of this organising principle.
2. Problem and solution: Start by stating a problem in the topic sentence and then
use the following sentences to explain how the problem might be solved.
3. Claim and evidence: Present a claim in your topic sentence and then provide
evidence in the following sentences.
4. Claim and counter-claim or counter-argument: Present a claim in your topic
sentence that you don’t agree with and then present an opposing claim or argument
against that claim. This is used when you are trying to argue against an objection
that your reader might make to your argument. Chronological order (time): Start with
the topic or main point in your topic sentence, then introduce events relating to that
topic or point in time sequence in the following sentences. This is especially useful
when you need to present a historical overview of something.
5. Most important to least important: Start with the topic or main point in your topic
sentence, then introduce supporting points in order of importance in the following
sentences.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:


Q.1.What is a paragraph?
Ans. A paragraph is a series of sentences that talk about a specific subject. It focuses
on one idea only and this idea is further elaborated with supporting details.
Q.2. What is the basic structure of a paragraph?
Ans. The basic structure of a paragraph is Introduction, Body and Conclusion.
Q.3. What is a supporting detail sentence?
Ans. A sentence which gives reasons, examples and other details that support the
main point of the paragraph is a supporting statement.
Q.4. What are transitions/transitional words or devices in a paragraph?
Ans. Signal words that help organize a paragraph, using time order or listing order are
transitions in a paragraph.
Q.5. What is a concluding sentence?
Ans. A concluding sentence is a way to conclude the paragraph so that the reader
knows what the paragraph was about.
Q.6. What is the usual length of a paragraph?
Ans. A paragraph is usually around 250 words and consists of 5-6 sentences but the
word limit can be increased depending on the purpose and the matter.
Q.7.What are the elements of a good paragraph?
Ans. The four essential elements of a good paragraph are: Unity, Clarity, Coherence
and Well Developed.
Q8. What is the most important element in a paragraph? Coherence or length?
Ans. Length and appearance do not determine whether a part in your paper is a
paragraph. It is the unity and coherence of ideas represented in a sentence or among
sentences that constitutes to a good paragraph.

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