This presentation is a brief overview of the academic paragraph. It includes an explanation of the different elements that belong in a paragraph.

1. Paragraph Basics

2. Types of Paragraphs
Narration
• Making a point by telling a story
• Uses first person
• Events of the story are organized in
chronological order

3. Types of Paragraphs
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Compare/Contrast
Comparison = similarities
Contrast = differences
Choose one to focus on
Organization
– Subject by subject
– Point by point

4. Types of Paragraphs
Process
• Explanation of how to do something
• Step by step instructions
• Steps are organized in the order they have
to be followed

5. Types of Paragraphs
Argument
• Persuading someone to agree with your point of
view on an issue
• Your reasons ( in any order) are supported with
evidence
• Convincing language
– Should
– Must
– Have to

6. Elements of a Paragraph
The Title
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Top of the page
Indicates your topic
Very Brief
Specific rules for capitalization and
formatting

7. Elements of a Paragraph
The Topic Sentence
• Very first sentence of your paragraph
• Includes your topic and has a controlling
idea about that topic
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Your attitude
The “why”
Your focus
Your point of view/position

8. Elements of a Paragraph
Main Ideas and Details
• 3 broad ideas
• Details to support each idea (usually 2)
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Specific descriptions
Facts
Quotes
Personal experience

9. Elements of a Paragraph
Transitions
• Provide flow between ideas
• Signals to your reader that you are moving
from one idea/detail to the next
• Specific words/phrases useful for each type
of paragraph

10. Elements of a Paragraph
Closing Statement
• Very last sentence of your paragraph
• Similar to the topic sentence
• Provides your reader with closure
– Reference to the future
– Call to action