1. RIZAL COLLEGE OF TAAL
Taal, Batangas
READING AND WRITING SKILLS
Quarter 4 – Module 6:
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS WITH
TOPIC SENTENCES AND SUPPORTING
DETAILS
SELF – LEARNING MODULE
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
2. INTRODUCTION
Think back to the most impressive monuments and structures that you have heard of. The Pyramids
of Egypt, the Great wall of China, the Banaue Rice Terraces of the Philippines—all of these are considered
by many to be manmade wonders of the world. They are awe-inspiring, not just because of their majesty,
but also because of how much work was involved in creating them.
Have you ever heard of the saying “Rome was not built in a day?” Whenever we see something as
massive and marvellous as the aforementioned structures, we may not realize just how long they took to
be built, how many people were involved, how many resources were used and how much effort was put in.
All we see is the finished product but as you see, these structures began with a brick or stone that
eventually became a beautiful building. The structure underwent a process before it was finished.
Writing an essay is similar to constructing a building. We may not see right away how putting two
bricks together can form a wall, or how this wall will be part of a taller structure. But as you saw in the
previous lessons, using pre-writing strategies, finding a thesis statement, and making outlines are helpful
as you write your essay. They function as a blueprint to guide you in writing. A blueprint alone does not
make a building-its design needs to be executed on the raw materials with which the building is built.
As such, paragraphs are the building blocks of essays. This lesson will teach you how to write
effective paragraphs by defining paragraphs, differentiating their parts, and enumerating the
characteristics of effective paragraphs.
Defining Paragraphs
A paragraph is a group of sentences that deals with one particular idea. Paragraphs are defined by
the point that they support, the controlling idea, and not just by how long they are. This is the
fundamental rule in writing paragraphs: Only one idea should be discussed per paragraph.
Put together, paragraphs are used as building blocks in organizing longer pieces of text into prose.
They basically function in order to introduce a new idea, develop an old one, compare and contrast
information, or provide readers with a pause.
Developing Effective Paragraphs with Topic
Sentences and Supporting Details
Lesson
6
3. Identifying the parts of a paragraph: Topic Sentence
In order to compose a paragraph effectively, you should be familiar with its parts: The topic
sentence and supporting details.
A topic sentence tells the reader the main idea of your paragraph. It reveals what you generally
plan to propose, argue or explain. When it is part of a longer essay, the topic sentence contains a main
point that supports the thesis statement. Think of the topic sentence as a mini thesis statement for the
paragraph. The topic sentence can be found anywhere in the paragraph: In the beginning, at the end, or in
the middle. It is usually a good practice to include the topic sentence near the start of the paragraph so
your readers have an idea of what you are talking about early on.
A topic sentence is either explicit, or clearly states the ideas that will be elaborated in the
paragraph. However, a topic sentence can also be implied.
A topic sentence is implied if there is clear controlling idea that the paragraph is about. Also, a
good topic sentence reveals your attitude toward the subject. It is helpful to include details like facts and
examples that turn the topic sentence into something more specific and concrete.
Identifying the parts of a paragraph: Supporting Details
Every paragraph needs supporting details to elaborate on the topic sentence. These supporting
details may range from facts, examples, or instances. Good supporting details expound on the main idea
and act as adequate support; they are specific stem from the general idea established by the topic
sentence. How much detail you should include in a paragraph depends on your purpose and the topic
sentence.
Making your paragraphs effective
Now that you have identified the parts of paragraph, the following characteristics will help you
develop your paragraphs into more effective ones.
The first characteristic of an effective paragraph is unity. Unity simply means that all of the
sentences in the paragraph are related to the topic sentence. The whole paragraph should begin and end
with one focus only. Each of the details should have a clear and consistent connection to the topic
sentence.
The second characteristic of an effective paragraph is adequate development. The topic sentence
in the paragraph should be elaborated on using concrete evidence, different examples, relevant facts, and
specific details. Having specific details helps your readers become interested in your topic, understand your
message, and convince them of the validity of your topic sentence.
The third characteristic of an effective paragraph is coherence. This means that the sentences are
arranged in a logical manner, making them easily understood by the reader. Coherence is achieved when
ideas flow smoothly within and between paragraphs. Your paragraph can become more coherent through
the use of logical order and signal devices.
4. First, the details of a paragraph can be organized according to chronological, spatial or emphatic
order. When a paragraph’s arrangement is in chronological order, the details are arranged in order in
which they happened. Meanwhile, spatial arrangement is when the sentences of a paragraph are arranged
according to geographical location such as left to right, up to down, etc. Finally, emphatic order is when
information found in a paragraph is arranged to emphasize certain points depending on the writer’s
purpose.
Next, you can also achieve coherent paragraphs through the use of signal devices, or words that
give readers an idea how the points in your paragraph are progressing. The following are examples of
signal devices:
1. Transitions (these are words and phrases that connect one idea to another)
a. Time (first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after, earlier, simultaneously,
finally, next, in the meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile, now, subsequently, etc.)
b. Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first, second, third, besides,
additionally, etc.)
c. Space (above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.)
d. Illustration (for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to illustrate, etc.)
e. Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison, too etc.)
f. Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although, on the
contrary, otherwise, conversely, etc.)
g. Cause and effect (because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since, etc.)
h. Conclusion (thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.)
2. Repetitions ( repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and highlight important ideas)
3. Synonyms (these are words similar in meaning to important words and phrases that prevent
tedious repetitions)
4. Pronouns (words that connect readers to the original word that pronouns replace)
5. Parallelism (using similar sentence structures)
