This document defines paragraphs and discusses their key characteristics and structures. It notes that a paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with one central idea. For effectiveness, a paragraph must demonstrate unity around a controlling idea, coherence through logical connections between sentences, and complete development of the topic. Different types of paragraphs are described, including descriptive, narrative, and expository paragraphs, which can be used for division/classification, illustration, cause/effect, comparison, contrast, and definition. Proper paragraph structure includes a topic sentence, body, and concluding sentence.

1. PARAGRAPH WRITING

2. Paragraph defined
 Paragraph is a unit of writing that begins
with an indentation – a series of
sentences put together for the
convenience of the reader.
A paragraph is a sequence of related
sentences that deal with one central idea.
Everything in the paragraph must relate
to the controlling (central) idea.
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3. Characteristics of effective
paragraph
1. Unity,
2. Coherence, and
3. Complete development.
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4. Characteristics of effective
paragraph
1. Unity: controlling idea is clearly stated
and every sentence is clearly related to
the controlling idea.
 Note1: Irrelevant sentences spoil the
unity
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5. Irrelevant sentences
 Sunday is my favourite day of the week. I like
it because on Sunday, I watch football. On other
days, I also get to watch football but not all day.
There are other sports on other days to watch on
TV. Sunday lunch is a favourite of mine because I
eat with my father in front of the TV. All the other
days, I have to eat at the table which is less fun.
Some days my dad doesn’t make it home from
work until after I’m in bed. Some weeks my dad
travels, and I don’t see him for several days. The
highlight of the day is when we watch the Dolphins
play. Dad and I get so excited, we yell and cheer
together. The thing that I like to do best in the
world is watch TV with my dad.
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6. Note
 Unity of a paragraph can be shown more
effectively through the use of connectives
that link sentences smoothly.
(Connectives: consequently, hence, so,
that’s why, as, since, because, therefore,
however, firstly…)
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7. Characteristics of effective
paragraph
2. Coherence: sentences within the
paragraph are linked smoothly for logical
progression from beginning to end.
(easy to read and easy to follow)
Note: abrupt shift from one idea to another,
even if related to main idea, create a
disjointed paragraph.
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8. Disjointed paragraph
 The ancient Egyptians were masters of
preserving dead people's bodies by making mummies
of them. Mummies several thousand years old have
been discovered nearly intact. The skin, hair, teeth,
fingernails and toenails, and facial features of the
mummies were evident. It is possible to diagnose the
disease they suffered in life, such as smallpox,
arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies. The process
was remarkably effective. Sometimes apparent were
the fatal afflictions of the dead people: a middle-aged
king died from a blow on the head, and polio killed a
child king. Mummification consisted of removing the
internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside
and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of
bandages.
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9. Coherent paragraph
 The ancient Egyptians were masters of
preserving dead people's bodies by making
mummies of them. In short, mummification consisted
of removing the internal organs, applying natural
preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the
body in layers of bandages. And the process was
remarkably effective. Indeed, mummies several
thousand years old have been discovered nearly
intact. Their skin, hair, teeth, fingernails and toenails,
and facial features are still evident. Their diseases in
life, such as smallpox, arthritis, and nutritional
deficiencies, are still diagnosable. Even their fatal
afflictions are still apparent: a middle-aged king died
from a blow on the head; a child king died from polio.
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10. Characteristics of effective
paragraph
3. Complete development: for the
development of single controlling idea,
way of explanation, illustration or other
supporting material is to be considered
carefully in accordance with the topic
sentence.
Note: a good paragraph gives a sense of
wholeness and completeness with no
unanswered questions and no loose ends.
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11. A good paragraph
 The punishment of criminals has always been
a problem for society. Citizens have had to decide
whether offenders such as first-degree murderers
should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for
life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in
society. Many citizens argue that serious criminals
should be executed. They believe that killing
criminals will set an example for others and also
rid society of a cumbersome burden. Other citizens
say that no one has the right to take a life and
that capital punishment is not a deterrent to
crime. They believe that society as well as the
criminal is responsible for the crimes and that
killing the criminal does not solve the problems of
either society or the criminal.
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12. Structure of a paragraph
1. Topic sentence,
2. Body, and
3. Concluding sentence
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13. Paragraph structure
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14. Types of paragraph
1. Descriptive paragraph,
2. Narrative paragraph, and
3. Expository paragraph
a. Paragraph of division and classification,
b. Paragraph of illustration,
c. Paragraph of cause and effect,
d. Paragraph of comparison,
e. Paragraph of contrast, and
f. Paragraph of definition
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15. Descriptive paragraph
 gives a good description and clear picture
of a thing,
 the description may be a physical thing
like a human being, animal, place or even
a process.
 Abstract ideas such as feelings, emotions,
thoughts, moods can also be described.
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16. Narrative paragraph
 refers to an account of some personal
experience of the writer,
 the writer tells the story to his readers
like some unforgettable experience.
 Sentences follow chronological order.
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17. Expository paragraph
 explains something clearly, and
 ideas are arranged in a logical order.
Expository paragraph answer the
questions-
• What is it?
• What is it for?
• What does it mean?
• How why does it happen?
• What is the result?
• How bad or good is it?
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18. Paragraph of division and
classification
1. is the best way of to explain an object,
idea or process, breaking it into several
points, arranging these divisions or
classifying them in a particular order or
pattern.
2. Classification should be logical and
consistent.
3. Body must be arranged in logical order.
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19. Paragraph of illustration
1. contains opening sentence, which is
generally a statement or an opinion (the
topic sentence).
2. This topic sentence is supported by
illustration.
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20. Paragraph of cause and effect
 This type of paragraph is written by:
1. stating an effect then explaining its
cause, OR
2. stating an effect then explaining its
causes, OR
3. Stating the cause first and then arriving
at the effect.
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21. Paragraph of comparison and
contrast
 This type of paragraph:
1. shows comparison/contrast, and
2. first the similarities are listed and then
the contrasts and vice-versa.
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22. Paragraph of definition
 Begins with definition, and
 the terms in the definition are then
explained for clear understanding.
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