Types of paragraphs, by Angelica Sofia Hurtado and Sebastian Palacio

1. Types of paragraphs
Angélica Sofia Hurtado
Sebastián Palacio

2. According to their location in the text
→ Opening or introductory paragraph
→ Transition paragraph
→ Closing or concluding paragraph

3. Opening or introductory paragraph:
→ Introduce the topic with the most relevant information
and clear definition of the most important terms in text.
→ Indicate the structure and methodology of the text
→ Indicate the thesis of the text.
In this type of paragraph, it is possible to use:
→ Interrogative phrases
→ Anecdote
→ Summary

4. Transition paragraph
➔It is used to make a change in the topic, continue with
another text or change from one part to another.
➔It uses expressions such as: Consequently, therefore,
nevertheless, however.
➔Usually it is short
➔Summarize ideas of one part of the text in preparation
for the next part.

5. Closing or concluding paragraph
➔Recapitulate the thesis statement of the text.
➔It emphasizes the purpose and the importance of the text.
➔Offers conclusions on the subject treated.
➔Explain the consequences of the finding in the text.

6. According to their contents
→ Argumentative paragraph
→ Conceptual or definition paragraph
→ Chronological paragraph
→ Enumeration paragraph

7. Argumentative paragraph
➔Its purpose is to convince or persuade the reader, about
an idea or an argument.
➔It use evidence in order to convince.

8. Conceptual or definition paragraph
➔Explains the meaning of a term or centers a thought that
will be used later.
➔they are essential for the reader to understand the
author's ideas.
➔This type of paragraph is used in technical and
scientific texts.

9. Chronological paragraph
➔Defines the temporal sequence of an event.
➔Organize in a time-sequential order of actions or events
in a text.

10. Enumeration paragraph
➔This type of paragraph has an organizing phrase and helps
to the reader to understand the text's organization.

11. According to their logical structure
→ Comparison paragraph
→ Cause and effect paragraph
→ Process paragraph
→ Deductive and inductive paragraphs
→ The descriptive paragraph

12. According to their logical structure
Comparison paragraph
The purpose of this type of paragraphs is to highlight
similarities and differences between two things or phenomena.

13. According to their logical structure
Cause and effect paragraph
This type of paragraphs gives reasons why something happened.

14. According to their logical structure
Process paragraph
The purpose of this type of paragraphs is to describe a
process. It’s made up of a series of steps on how to make
something.

15. According to their logical structure
Deductive and inductive paragraphs
Deductive paragraphs present a generalization and provide a
series of particular cases that support it, whereas inductive
paragraphs draw a generalization from specific examples.

16. The descriptive paragraph
This type of paragraph tells the reader what a thing, person
or phenomena is like.

17. The narrative paragraph
Narrative paragraphs are especially good when it comes to
telling a story.

18. The expository paragraph
This type of paragraphs are useful for giving information and
explaining a subject.

19. The persuasive paragraph
The purpose of this type of paragraph is to persuade the
reader of something, to get her to accept the point of view
put forward by the writter.