Welcome to this topic entitled, Paragraph! Paragraph is much more than a collection of connected sentences. A paragraph is a group of sentences that fleshes out a single idea. A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors,116). Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea It is a building block of essay development, and paragraphs provide the structure needed to develop the thesis of a paper.
“If you rewrite a paragraph fifty times and forty-nine of them are terrible, that’s fine; you only need to get it right once.” ~ Tana French
Intended learning outcome (ILO)
At the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of an effective paragraph
What is a Paragraph?
The Paragraph is the basic unit of prose. It is usually composed of several sentences that together develop one central idea. A paragraph is a collection of sentences that are all related to one main topic.
The main sentence in a paragraph is called the topic sentence. The main topic is basically what the paragraph is about. A main topic is not necessarily a complete sentence, but it is often simply one word or a phrase. The first sentence of a paragraph is slightly indented (to the right) in relation to the rest of the paragraph. It is possible to write a very short story by using a single paragraph.
In fact, a useful way to think about a paragraph is as a “mini-essay,” or an essay within an essay, with its own mini-thesis (the topic sentence), middle or body (the supporting details) and end or conclusion (the concluding sentence). To understand how paragraphs help to develop a thesis, think of them as landmarks on a map. With each paragraph, you describe where you are standing and point the direction for your readers to make sure they complete the journey to your conclusion.
Parts of a Paragraph
A paragraph usually has three parts: a topic sentence (beginning sentence), detail sentences, and an ending sentence.
The topic sentence tells generally what the paragraph is about, but it does not provide specific detail about the paragraph. As the first sentence, its primary purpose is to get the attention of the reader.
The detail sentences form the body of the paragraph. All detail sentences should be related to the topic sentence.
The ending sentence restates the topic sentence (using different words) and can also summarize the information contained in the detail sentences.
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions below.
Hand tools are items that help us accomplish tasks. There are many kinds of hand tools. Most hand tools are made of metal because they must be sturdy in order to be used repeatedly without breaking. A hand tool is used on something else to accomplish a task. Without tools it would be impossible for us to have cars or many other things.
- Is there one sentence that tells what the paragraph is about?
- Does the paragraph only talk about the main topic?
- Write the topic sentence that tells the main topic of the paragraph.
- Write the detail sentences that supports the main topic of the paragraph.
- Write the ending sentence that summarizes the main topic of the paragraph.
An Effective Paragraph
- presents a single idea
- begins with a topic sentence that makes this single idea evident
- contains support in form of sentences that convey this single idea
- is strategically organized to maintain flow
- maintains your essay’s objective
- informs and entertains your reader about your paper’s overall idea
The Basic Rule: Keep one idea to one paragraph
The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. You can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. If the single points start to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the route to go.
Elements of a paragraph
To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following:
- Unity
- Coherence
- A Topic Sentence and
- Adequate Development
As you will see, all of these traits overlap. Using and adapting them to your individual purposes will help you construct effective paragraphs.
Unity
The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.
Coherence
Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. You can help create coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal bridges.
Logical bridges
- The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence
- Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form
Verbal bridges
- Key words can be repeated in several sentences
- Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
- Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
- Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences
A topic sentence
A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all paragraphs have clear-cut topic sentences, and despite the fact that topic sentences can occur anywhere in the paragraph (as the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle), an easy way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. (This is a good general rule for less experienced writers, although it is not the only way to do it). Regardless of whether you include an explicit topic sentence or not, you should be able to easily summarize what the paragraph is about.
Adequate development
The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately. Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author’s purpose, but writers should be wary of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It’s a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.
Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well-developed:
- Use examples and illustrations
- Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others)
- Examine testimony (what other people say such as quotes and paraphrases)
- Use an anecdote or story
- Define terms in the paragraph
- Compare and contrast
- Evaluate causes and reasons
- Examine effects and consequences
- Analyze the topic
- Describe the topic
- Offer a chronology of an event (time segments)
How do I know when to start a new paragraph?
You should start a new paragraph when:
- When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
- To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
- When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short “break” for your readers—adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
- When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer’s purpose.
Transitions and signposts
Two very important elements of paragraphing are signposts and transitions. Signposts are internal aids to assist readers; they usually consist of several sentences or a paragraph outlining what the article has covered and where the article will be going.
Transitions are usually one or several sentences that “transition” from one idea to the next. Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs flow one into the next.
References
- Fernandez, E. et al. (2013). A Worktext in English 2: Writing in the Discipline. Quezon City: C & E Publishing.
- Serrano, J. & Ames, T. (2009). Advanced Composition. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, Inc.
- Calderon, J. & Gonzales, E. (2012). Methods of research and thesis writing. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.
- Tendero, E. (2011). Developing English Competency for College Students. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
- Dana Lynn Driscoll, Allen Brizee. 2015. On Paragraphing. The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. Accessed at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/