2. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY LISTING:
The following paragraph is called a list paragraph:
SENTENCE FUNCTIONS IN PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
The SENTENCES IN MOST WELL WRITTEN paragraphs may be analysed into
FOUR general FUNCTIONS. First, there are paragraph INTRODUCERS, which are
sentences that ESTABLISH the TOPIC FOCUS of the paragraph as a whole.
Second, there are paragraph DEVELOPERS, which PRESENT examples or
DETAILS of various kinds that support the ideas set forth by the paragraph
introducers. Third, there are viewpoint or context MODULATORS, which are
sentences that PROVIDE a smooth TRANSITION BETWEEN DIFFERENT SETS
OF IDEAS. Fourth, there are paragraph TERMINATORS, which logically
CONCLUDE the IDEAS discussed in the paragraph in a psychologically satisfying
manner. Not all pieces of writing will conform to this analysis; however, most
successful PARAGRAPHS usually contain some combination of these FOUR
SENTENCE TYPES.
To avoid a shopping list appearance, certain words or phrases are used to help the
paragraph proceed smoothly. For example: FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND
FOURTH. These are called transitional words.
There are two sentences that can function as paragraph introducers. The first is a
topic introducer which establishes the topic discussion. The second sentence, the
topic sentence, more narrowly defines or delimits the topic.
3. EXAMPLES OF LISTING PARAGRAPHS :
A GOOD WAY TO HAVE SUPPER
Most people feel faint when they are fasting. There are three ways how to keep your stamina when you are fasting. First of all, when
you have supper, never drink cold water because it is very easy to make you thirsty. Maybe in several hours later you will be thirsty
again. The solution is you have to drink mineral water, warm milk or warm tea. Second, don´t eat too much, if you eat too much, you
will be hungry easier. Just eat commonly. The most important is you have to notice the composition of the foods such as protein,
carbohydrate, vitamin, calories, etc. You can get it all by eating meat, egg, tofu, vegetables and fruits. Last, you can drink supplement
to keep you stamina. Although you are fasting, you must do your daily activities. So, you can drink the supplement after having
supper.
Now, you are ready to face the fasting month . Keep doing good an do the best for yourself
TRANSITIONAL
WORD
TRANSITIONAL
WORD
TRANSITIONA
L WORD
TOPIC
INTRODUCER
TOPIC
SENTENCE
SENTENCE
DEVELOPE
R
SENTENCE
TERMINATOR
4. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY EXAMPLES:
The example paragraph is a kind of list paragraph, in which example sentences closely support the topic sentence. There is, of
course, a terminator.
TOPIC SENTENCE: It should be a general statement that would cause a reader to want more information in the form of specific
examples.
RESTATEMENT SENTENCE: This sentence should do two things: 1- repeat or restate in different words the ideas of the topic
sentence, 2- terminate the listing of examples so that the reader feels that a satisfactory conclusion has been reached.
THE PLAN OF THE PARAGRAPH CONSISTS OF ONLY THREE PARTS:
1- A topic sentence that represents a one-sentence statement of the main idea of the whole paragraph.
2- Several example sentences that give details to support the main idea of the topic sentence.
3- A restatement sentence that reaffirms the central idea of the topic sentence.
TRANSITIONAL WORDS OR PHRASES ARE IMPORTANT IN WRITING AN ESSAY. THEY HELP CONNECT AND SHOW THE
RELATIONSHIP OF THE VARIOUS PARTS, OR PARAGRAPHS, OF THE ESSAY.
5. EXAMPLE OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY EXAMPLES:
Strong Example: I was disappointed by the movie. The soundtrack was tinny and flat, and when there
was supposed to be silence you could hear popping sounds and white noise instead. There were little
starts and skips in the film where the cuts had been badly pasted together. The picture itself was grainy
and the colors were faded, as though you were seeing them through gray-tinted lenses. It didn't help
that the springs had gone in my theater seat and one of them was poking into my leg the whole time.
This movie is to cinema what Boone's Farm is to wine. It was about as action-packed as a tortoise
clipping his toenails. The characters were more like caricatures and a four-year-old could have predicted
the ending. Next time I'll give my six bucks to charity.
TOPIC
SENTENC
E
E
x
a
m
pl
e
se
nt
e
n
ce
s
Restatement sentence:
Restates the main idea of the
topic sentence in different
words.
6. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY COMPARISION:
A comparison paragraph, compares similar aspects or qualities of two subjects.
In writing comparison paragraphs additional sentence types mat be used. In many paragraphs, for example, a topic
introducer is used. The topic sentence then states more specifically the basis of comparison. Transition sentences may be
used to change from one point of view to another, from one set of ideas to another, or from one subject to another.
The purpose of a comparison paragraph is to point out the similarities between two subjects. There may be obvious
differences between the two subjects, but the similarities are emphasised.
EXAMPLE OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY COMPARISION
OF OTHER SOURCES:
MY TWO HOMES
There are two places that had a profound impact in my life. One of them is New York city, where I live now, and the other is
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, where I was born and lived the first part of my life. When you compare them, they seem like dramatically
different places, but they have some things in common and I love them both. There are many reasons why New York city (NY) seems like
my home away from home. Both cities are striking and distinctive. For example, each has its own nickname. Everyone knows New York is
“the big apple”.
“ Quetzaltenango” is known as “Xela”, which is a lot easier to say second, both cities have a “ central park” where people like to go and walk.
Although central park in Xela is smaller, its tropical flowers and colonial architecture make it just as beautiful as New York´s.
Furthermore, when you walk around Xela, you find many tourists and people from other countries, just like in NY. For me, this means
conversations in Xela are just as interesting as conversations in NY. In conclusion, these are the two cities I love. For me, both are home,
both are unique, and both are filled with interesting people. These places represent the best of both worlds.
TOPIC
INTRODUCER
TOPIC SENTENCE
TRANSITION
SENTENCE
A-E1
B
-
E
1
RESTATEMENT
SENTENCE
B
-
E
2
A-E2
7. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY CONTRAST:
Unlike the comparison paragraph, which compares similar aspects of two subjects, the contrast paragraph compares dissimilar aspects of
two subjects.
In writing comparison paragraphs, transitional words such as SIMILARLY, ALSO, TOO, BOTH are used. For contrast paragraphs,
however, other transitional words and phrases are employed: UNLIKE, ON THE OTHER HAND, IN CONTRAST.
The purpose of a contrast paragraph is to point out differences between two subjects. There may be obvious similarities between the two
subjects, but the differences are emphasised.
Singers and Sisters
Jessica Simpson and Ashley Simpson are both same in a sense that they are both famous singers and even sisters, yet they are quite
different in many ways. Jessica was always sure what she wanted to do with her life and worked very hard whereas Ashley enjoyed what
life had to offer her at the moment. Jessica was in voice lessons and started to sing Gospel music during her high school career. On the other
hand, Ashley took dance classes and learned how to perform to Hip-hop music. Jessica is more well known as the air head sister. For
example, they both did a breath mint commercial together, and it poked fun of Jessica’s blond moments by having Ashley point them out.
Jessica is more “girly” of the sisters. She loves to wear dresses, high-heels, and has the blond bombshell look, unlike Ashley who has more of
a punk style. Jessica Simpson’s music has more of a classical pop tone, while Ashley’s music has more of a pop-rock ring to it. Both of these
girls are hard workers and both are very successful singers although they are very extraordinary in their own ways.
The example sentences are
Presented in consecutive
Sentences.
TOPIC SENTENCE
TRANSITIONAL
WORD
TRANSITIONA
L
WORD
TRANSITIONAL WORD
TRANSITIONAL
WORD
RESTATEMENT
SENTENCE
A-E1 B-E1A-
E2
B
-
E
2
A-
E3
B-E3
In this case
9. ESSAY DEVELOPMENT BY COMPARISON AND CONTRAST:
The sentence developers of a paragraph or the paragraph developers of an essay may employ the combined techniques of
comparison and contrast.
A model for writing a comparison and contrast essay:
Topic paragraph ( TP), comparison or contrast paragraph (CP) and a restatement paragraph (RP).
10. COMPARE AND CONTRAST ESSAY:
Compare and contrast methods of communication used today with those which were used in the past.
Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over long distances used traditional means such as letters
and the telephone. Nowadays we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging from email to instant
messaging and video calls. While the present and previous means of communication are similar in their general form, they differ in regard
to their speed and the range of tools available.
One similarity between current and previous methods of communication relates to the form of communication. In the past, both written
forms such as letters were frequently used, in addition to oral forms such as telephone calls. Similarly, people nowadays use both of these
forms. Just as in the past, written forms of communication are prevalent, for example via email and text messaging. In addition, oral forms
are still used, including the telephone, mobile phone, and voice messages via instant messaging services.
However, there are clearly many differences in the way we communicate over long distances, the most notable of which is speed. This is
most evident in relation to written forms of communication. In the past, letters would take days to arrive at their destination. In contrast,
an email arrives almost instantaneously and can be read seconds after it was sent. In the past, if it was necessary to send a short message,
for example at work, a memo could be passed around the office, which would take some time to circulate. This is different fromthe current
situation, in which a text message can be sent immediately.
Another significant difference is the range of communication methods. Fifty years ago, the tools available for communicating over long
distances were primarily the telephone and the letter.By comparison, there are a vast array of communiction methods available today.
These include not only the telephone, letter, email and text messages already mentioned, but also video conferences via software such as
Skype or mobile phone apps such as Wechat, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
In conclusion, methods of communication have greatly advanced over the past fifty years. While there are some similarities, such as
the forms of communication, there are significant differences, chiefly in relation to the speed of communication and the range of
communication tools available. There is no doubt that technology will continue to progress in future, and the advanced tools which we use
today may one day also become outdated.
TOPIC PARAGRPH
COMPARE PARAGRAPH
CONTRAST
PARAGRAPH
RESTATEMENT PARAGRAPH
SENTENCE WHICH STATES THE MAIN
POINT IN THE PARAGRAPH
SENTENCE WHICH STATES THE MAIN POINT IN
THE PARAGRAPH
THE PARAGRAPH ALTERNATES EXAMPLES A AND B
CONTRAST / COMPARE
PARAGRAPH
11. PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT BY DEFINITION:
The definition paragraph
A definition paragraph describes, explains, or defines an unfamiliar term by relating that which is unknown to
that which is already known. It makes use of the techniques of comparison, contrast, and synthesis, often in
combination. More specifically, a definition paragraph may be developed by using comparison sentences that show
that an unknown term is the same as or like some known term. Or it may be developed by using contrast
sentences that show that an unknown term, though similar in some respects, is basically unlike some known term.
Or it may be developed by bringing together the appropriate like and unlike characteristics of two or more terms
to form a new concept, or synthesis. In any case, a given definition paragraph, whether developed by comparison,
contrast, or synthesis, or some combination of these , normally ends with a sentence that summarises the
distinctive features of the term being defined.
THE DEFINITION PARAGRAPH IS OFTEN USED AT THE BEGINNING OF A LONGER PAPER OR BOOK TO
DEFINE A NEW SUBJECT. DEFINITION PARAGRAPHS ALSO SERVE SOMETIMES AS SUMMARIES OF
LONGER ESSAYS OR CHAPTERS. IF THE PURPOSE OF A CHAPTER IN A BIOLOGY TEXT IS TO EXPLAIN
OR DESCRIBE THE CONCEPT OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS, THE FINAL PARAGRAPH MAY BE A SHORT
DEFINITION SUMMARISING THE MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.
12. Examples of paragraph development by definition :
What is meant by protein quality?
The term protein quality refers to the ratio of essential amino acids (eaa) in a protein in comparison with the ratio
required by the body. A high quality protein contains eaa in a ratio that matches human requirements. A protein which
is lacking or low in one or more eaa is termed a low quality protein. The eaa which is in the shortest supply is called the
‘limiting’ amino acid. In general, animal proteins tend to be high quality while vegetable proteins tend to be low quality.
The exception is soy protein which is quite high quality.
TOPIC SENTENCE
S
E
N
T
E
N
C
E
D
E
V
E
L
O
P
E
R
S
In this case I think that there is a lack of a
sentence terminator which concludes the
idea in the paragraph
13. An hybrid paragraph
Paragraph development by combination
Very often, a single paragraph will contain development by a combination of methods. It may
begin with a brief comparison, for example, and move on to provide detailed descriptions of the
subjects being compared. A process analysis might include a brief history of the process in
question. Many paragraphs include lists of examples.
The broad range of positive characteristics used to define males could be used to define females
too, but they are not. At its entry for woman Webster’s Third provides a list of qualities considered
distinctive of womanhood: gentleness, affection, and domesticity or on the other hand fickleness,
superficiality, and folly. Among the qualities considered distinctive of manhood listed in the entry
for man, no negative attributes detract from the courage, strength, and vigor the definers
associate with males. According to this dictionary, womanish means unsuitable to a man or to a
strong character of either sex.
This is a good example of a paragraph that combines a comparison and contrast of contemporary
notions of manliness and womanliness with an extended list of examples.
14. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
WEBSITE. What is a listing paragraph?.
WEBSITE:http://www.academia.edu/9230335/What_is_a_listing_paragraph
WEBSITE. Párrafos de enumeración.
WEBSITE: http://www.ejemplode.com/12-clases_de_espanol/2641-
ejemplo_de_parrafo_de_enumeracion.html
WEBSITE. Example of compare, contrast paragraphs.
WEBSITE:https://es.slideshare.net/abdullahkkhalifah/example-of-compare-contrast-paragraphs1
WEBSITE. Contrast paragraphs.
WEBSITE:http://english120.pbworks.com/w/page/19006879/FrontPage
WEBSITE. Compare and contrast essay.
WEBSITE:http://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/candc/
WEBSITE. Definition paragraphs.
WEBSITE:https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/10799/paragraph-definition.pdf
