The document discusses different types of paragraphs that can be used in writing. It begins by defining what a paragraph is and noting there are different types depending on location, content, or logical structure. Some main types discussed are descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, definition, comparison, process analysis, and chronological paragraphs. Examples are provided for each type to illustrate their purpose and structure. In closing, it emphasizes the importance of understanding paragraph types to improve writing skills.

1. Teoría Discursiva
Lenguas modernas
Universidad EAN
The Paragraph
 Myriam Amanda Leon Leal
 Marjorie Rocio Chacon
 Andrea Puertas

2. The paragraph
“A paragraph is a self-contained unit of a
discourse in writing dealing with a
particular point or idea. A paragraph
consists of one or more sentences (…)
paragraphs are usually an expected part
of formal writing, used to organize
longer prose”. Wikipedia
There ere are different types of paragraphs
to use in writing, each one with a
purpose.

3. PARAGRAPH TYPES
We can categorize paragraphs depending on their: place or
location, content, and logic structure within the text.
Paragraph depending on location or place within the text:
Opening
Transition
Closure
Paragraph depending on the content or style of writing:
 Argumentative
Descriptive
Persuasive
Narrative
Explanatory
Expository
Chronological
Enumeration
Paragraph depending on the logical structure:
Comparative
Cause and effect
Deductive
Inductive
Conclusive

4.  A well developed paragraph is a focused
presentation of a single unit of thought.
Based on the style of writing there are
seven main different types of paragraphs
which we will be focus at the beginning of
this presentation.
 description
 Narration
 Exposition
 persuasion
 definition
 comparison
 process analysis/enumeration

5. Descriptive Paragraph
Descriptive type of paragraphs are written in
such a way to describe something with words that
allow your reader to imagine the scene what
you're describing. It is a text full of detailed
observations. They are recorded, using sensory
language. Descriptions are like narrative
paragraphs, with visual characteristics unfolding
in a dramatic way.
Example:
"The petite young girl merrily skipped around
the blossoming, fragrant bushes."

6. Narrative Paragraph
Paragraphs written as a narration are a
chronological presentation of events that add up to
a story. Paragraphs of this type contain
characters, setting, conflict and resolution.
Example:
“It was July 21, 1969, and Neil Armstrong awoke with a
start. It was the day he would become the first human being
to ever walk on the moon. The journey had begun several days
earlier, when on July 16th, the Apollo 11 launched from Earth
headed into outer space. On board with Neil Armstrong were
Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. The crew landed on the
moon in the sea of tranquillity a day before the actual walk.
Upon Neil’s first step onto the moon’s surface, he declared,
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” It
sure was!”. http://patternbasedwriting.com/elementary_writing_success/paragraph-examples/

7. Expository Paragraph also known as explanatory
is one in which some information is presented in an
organized manner. Expository paragraphs are
explanatory in nature. They could be an important part
of a description or narration. Credibility should be
added in an expository paragraph, by citing authorities
that have good credentials.
Example:
“People often install a kitty door, only to discover that they have a
problem. The problem is their cat will not use the kitty door. There are
several common reasons why cats won’t use kitty doors. First, they
may not understand how a kitty door works. They may not understand
that it is a little doorway just for them. Second, many kitty doors are
dark and cats cannot see to the other side. As such, they can’t be sure
of what is on the other side of the door, so they won’t take the risk. One
last reason cats won’t use kitty doors is because some cats don’t like
the feeling of pushing through and then having the door drag across
their back. But don’t worry—there are solutions to this problem.”
http://patternbasedwriting.com/elementary_writing_success/paragraph-examples/
Expository Paragraph

8. This type of paragraph is used in editorials and columns. A
direct approach is the best in writing a persuasive paragraph.
The objective of a persuasive paragraph is to persuade people
to change their minds, or take action. Persuasive paragraphs
help people formulate an opinion and deepen it, by adding
conviction.
EXAMPLE:
“Immigration contributes to the overall health of the
American economy. Despite recent concerns related to the
costs created by illegal and some legal immigration to the
United States, this country has largely benefited from the
skills, talents, and ambition that immigrants bring with them.
American businesses gain from a good source of affordable
labor, while town and cities are revitalized by immigrant
families who strengthen communities through civic
participation the generation of new economic activity. The
United States must continue to welcome new arrivals and help
those who already here; otherwise, the country will lose the
advantages it has over other industrialized countries who
compete against us in the global marketplace and seek to
recruit from a vast pool of unskilled and skilled global
workers”.
http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/WL10_types_of_paragraphs.html
Persuasive Paragraph

9. Definition type of paragraphs, provide the
meaning, using events and happenings. A
strong effort should be made to clearly
explain what something is, and not what it is
not.
EXAMPLE:
What is Cholera? Cholera is an intestinal infection
that can be described according to its cause,
symptoms, and treatment. Cholera is caused by a
bacterium, called Vibrio cholera. Contaminated food,
water, or faeces can result in the rapid spread of this
disease. Patients who have been exposed to the disease
may exhibit mild to extreme symptoms.
chrome-
extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.une.edu.au/__data/asse
ts/pdf_file/0008/10799/paragraph-definition.pdf
Definition Paragraph

10. Comparative Paragraph
The objective of paragraphs written in
comparison style is to compare, two or more objects,
characters, events etc. Comparative Paragraph
disclosed the similarities and differences between
two ideas, characters, or situations.
Example:
“My hometown and my college town have several things in common. First,
both are small rural communities. For example, my hometown, Gridlock, has
a population of only about 10,000 people. Similarly, my college town,
Subnormal, consists of about 11,000 local residents. This population swells to
15,000 people when the college students are attending classes. A second
way in which these two towns are similar is that they are both located in rural
areas. Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which is devoted
mainly to growing corn and soybeans. In the same way, Subnormal lies in the
center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle . . . .”
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/compcont.html

11. A process analysis paragraph describes how a process
happens, through a series of actions. The actions are put in a
sequence.
EXAMPLE:
How to Pack a Suit So It Won't Come Out Wrinkled
"Lay the suit on its back on a flat surface such as a tennis
court. Take the sleeves and place them at the side. Take
the left sleeve and place it on the suit's hip, and hold
the right sleeve over the suit's head as though the suit is
waving in a jaunty manner. Now put both sleeves straight up
over the suit's head and shout, 'Touchdown!' Ha ha! Isn't this
fun? You may feel silly, but trust me, you're not half as silly as
the people who think they can fold a suit so it won't come out
wrinkled.”
(Dave Barry, Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need. Ballantine Books,
1991) http://grammar.about.com/od/pq/g/processterm.htm
Paragraph of process Analysis

12. Argumentative Paragraph
Argumentative Paragraph, which is characterized seeks to reason
about a viewpoint or opinion, so these reasons expressed by argument,
as the name implies.
EXAMPLE;
“Do epidemiological studies have limitations? Epidemiological
studies have severe limitations. Firstly, such studies can seldom be
made in adherence to all the requirements of experimental science
since the ‘objects’ being studied are people and they come with a
variety of behaviours and appetites. Secondly, the study can take place
only in the conditions that have occurred, and not in a laboratory re-
creation of them where certain factors can be varied systematically to
determine their influence and effect. Most seriously, epidemiological
studies can take decades to be completed, so that by the time a positive
result becomes evident, large numbers of workers may have been
damaged or injured irreversibly. Hence, the identification of
occupational disease cannot be allowed to rest on epidemiology alone
—in effect, to a policy of ‘counting the victims’. It must be backed by
experimentation and other methods of predicting the likely health
impact on workers of new chemicals, processes or technologies”.
chrome-
extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.une.edu.au/__data/asse
ts/pdf_file/0010/10540/paragraph-argument.pdf

13. Chronological Paragraph
A chronological paragraph is one that shows a sequence
of events in the order they occurred.
EXAMPLE
The Life of a Star
 “The life and death of a star begins somewhere in space.
Astronomers claim that a star begins as a cloud of hydrogen
and helium. As the cloud moves about it collects bits of dust
and more floating gases. Then the cloud begins to warm as
more dust and gases are pulled into it. After a long period of
time as the cloud becomes denser, heat and friction cause the
atoms to explode. That is how a star is born. The star will burn
for about ten billion years as it radiates heat and energy. When
the hydrogen begins to burn out the star becomes even larger.
At this stage, it gives off a lot of light but not much energy. The
star may continue to burn brightly but dies when it runs out of
hydrogen. This is the life cycle of a star”.
 http://www.sponsoravillage.ca/2010/01/chronology-sample-paragraph/

14. Enumeration Paragraph
The paragraph enumeration is used to present a
list of information, related it doesn’t necessary has to
be in order.
EXAMPLE:
"[W]hen we allow freedom to ring, when we let it
ring from every village and every hamlet, from every
state and every city, we will be able to speed up that
day when all of God's children, black men and white
men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will
be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old
Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God
Almighty, we are free at last!'"
(Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream," August
1963)
http://grammar.about.com/od/e/g/Enumeratio.htm

15. Explanatory Paragraph
Explanatory paragraphs, also known
as expository paragraphs, used to
clarify or further develop the topic being
presented. give an overall description of
something that may be difficult to
understand. It is used to give a more
comprehensive and detailed
information.
Example:
“Please refer to the slide of expository
paragraph”

16. Cause and effect Paragraph
Paragraphs cause and effect are those with a fact which followed the reasons that
have caused, or the consequences that have taken place or will take place.
Example:
“I do well in school, and people think I am smart because of it. But it’s not true. In
fact, three years ago I struggled in school. However, two years ago I decided to get
serious about school and made a few changes. First, I decided I would become
interested in whatever was being taught, regardless of what other people thought. I
also decided I would work hard every day and never give up on any assignment. I
decided to never, never fall behind. Finally, I decided to make school a priority over
friends and fun. After implementing these changes, I became an active participant in
classroom discussions. Then my test scores began to rise. I still remember the first
time that someone made fun of me because “I was smart.” How exciting! It seems to
me that being smart is simply a matter of working hard and being interested. After all,
learning a new video game is hard work even when you are interested. Unfortunately,
learning a new video game doesn’t help you get into college or get a good job….”
http://patternbasedwriting.com/elementary_writing_success/paragraph-examples/

17. Deductive Paragraph
A paragraph that uses the deductive order of organization
states the main idea in the first sentence. The body sentences of
the paragraph are statements that support the main idea.
Another name for this organization is general-to-specific order.
Example:
“There are some ways for students to earn money. First, they
work in some place. We can manage the time for it. For example, we
get home from school on 1 pm, and on 2 pm until 4 pm we are working
in some places. So, although we are working in some places, we can
also doing homework. Second, we make some efforts like
businessman. We can sell something like food, drinks, book, and many
more. Finally, teach someone who younger than us such as pre-school
students, kindergarten students, senior high school students, and many
more.”
http://www.ask.com/education/deductive-order-paragraph-341ae90b089307c1

18. Inductive Paragraph
“An inductive paragraph begins with either evidence or
reasons leading to the statement of the Writer’s claim at the
end of the paragraph. Inductive paragraphs are therefore
‘conclusion-oriented’. The main conclusion is the most
important part of the reasoning and usually comes at the end
of a paragraph”
Example:
“Oceans have ingredients which can benefit human
health. Several important medical treatments are based on
chemicals discovered in marine animals. On the other hand,
increasingly common phenomena such as harmful algal
blooms have demonstrated their negative impact on human
health. The health of marine ecosystems is affected by human
activities such as pollution, global warming, and over fishing.
But at the same time, human health depends on thriving
ocean ecosystems. We need a better understanding of the
many ways marine organisms affect human health, both
positively by providing drugs and bio-products, and negatively
by causing human ailments”.
https://www.ln.edu.hk/eng/rhetoric/Paragraph%20Development/Paragraph05.html

19. References
Under every example you can find the original
source of the material used in this presentation
 http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/WL10_types_of_par
agraphs.html
 http://patternbasedwriting.com/elementary_writing_success/paragraph-
examples/
 https://mgmpbig.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/kinds-of-paragraph-writing/
 http://www.time4writing.com/writing-paragraphs/types-of-paragraphs/
 http://www.slideshare.net/c_perez/tipos-de-parrafos-26634772?qid=da857502-
92df-42d5-9f3e-44a2000ea4ac&v=qf1&b=&from_search=3
 http://www.wordreference.com/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragraph