There are four main types of paragraphs: narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive. Narrative paragraphs tell a story through events in chronological order. Expository paragraphs provide information to inform or explain by using facts and citations. Descriptive paragraphs use vivid details and imagery to describe a scene or object. Persuasive paragraphs aim to convince the reader of a viewpoint by presenting a clear argument and calling the reader to action.

1. TYPES OF
PARAGRAPHS
Teoría Discursiva

2. TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS
The type of paragraph you use will depend on your purpose for
writing. To entertain readers or express themselves, writers
use narration or description. Exposition and narration are used
to inform readers about something. For our purposes, here are
the basic types of paragraphs:
 Narrative used to tell a story or a sequence of events
 Exposition used to provide information, including facts,
instructions, and definitions
 Descriptive used to describe a scene or an object
 Persuasive used to share opinions and convince others to
agree or take action

3. NARRATIVE
Narrative paragraphs tell about an event or series of events,
usually in chronological order. Most short stories and
newspaper articles are examples of narrative writing.
Tells a story
Uses specific details
Is not a mere listing of events- it has characters, setting,
conflict, and resolution
 Time and place are usually established
Usually chronologically organized

4. NARRATIVE EXAMPLE
Your knuckles are white, your palms are
drenched, and it feels like your dentist has just
switched on the drill. Worse still, as the click of
the chain pulls the train skyward, you glance
back at the gum-chewing guy who strapped you
in and wonder what possessed you to put your
life in the hands of a kid you wouldn’t trust to
wrap your sandwich. That’s when you realize:
This is all a big mistake. Only now you’re at the
top, staring into the air, the track seems to have
vanished, and the car teeters on the edge of
nothingness.

5. EXPOSITION
Informative/explanatory
Can be included incidentally with narrative or descriptive, but can
also stand alone.
The challenge of writing an exposition paragraph is your credibility
– how do I know that you know what you’re talking about?
Answer: Citations! (from experts)

6. EXPOSITION EXAMPLE
Stress is defined as a state of extreme difficulty that
causes mental or physical tension. In a recent study,
teenagers were shown to experience stress as often as
adults. According to the study, the most common causes
of stressors to teens include divorce of parents, death of
a loved one, loneliness, moving to a new neighborhood,
and having difficulty in a social environment. These
stressors can greatly change the way teens act in many
circumstances.

7. DESCRIPTION
Series of detailed observations
Usually not used by itself, but rather as a part of a whole
The challenge is to make it interesting
 Imagery
 Sensory details; five senses
 Similes, metaphors

8. DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
When I think of the home town of my youth, all that I seem to
remember is dust- the brown, crumbly dust of late summer- arid, sterile
dust that gets into the eyes and makes them water, gets into the throat
and between the toes of bare brown feet. I don’t know why I should
remember only the dust… And so, when I think of that time and that
place, I remember only the dry September of the dirt roads and
grassless yards of the shanty-town where I lived.

9. PERSUASIVE
Uses direct approach
 “Believe me and do it!”
Calls reader to action or to take a stand on an important issue
More than just opinion is needed; information, analysis, and context
must be given to the reader to let him/her make a decision

10. PERSUASIVE EXAMPLE
Students are currently getting ripped off. Students who
spend an average of 10 hours or more on extracurricular
activities should receive some kind of academic credit.
Most students who are involved in sports, music,
journalism, or theater activities are actively learning on a
daily basis. They attend practice and events and
participate regularly as they would in class. Furthermore,
their participation helps them become more responsible
and disciplined students. Students are putting forth the
effort, and not getting any recognition for their time.