There are five types of paragraphs: descriptive, example, process, opinion, and narrative. A typical paragraph includes a topic sentence that introduces the topic, supporting sentences that further explain the topic, and a concluding sentence that restates the main idea. Key elements of formatting a paragraph properly include margins, double spacing, indenting the first sentence, and connecting sentences together with similar topics within the same paragraph. Effective topic sentences should be clear, short, and introduce a new controlling idea about the topic without stating simple facts or specific details. Supporting sentences add information to further the topic and controlling idea, while concluding sentences remind the reader of the main point and may restate or comment on the topic.

1. Types of paragraph?
There are five types of paragraph as follows:
1- Descriptive Paragraph.
2- Example Paragraph.
3- Process Paragraph.
4- Opinion Paragraph.
5- Narrative Paragraph.

2. No Kinds of paragraph Definition
1 Descriptive Paragraph is a paragraph in which the writer describes a
person, place or a thing.
2 Example paragraph is a paragraph in which the writer explains a topic by
giving examples.
3 Process paragraph is a paragraph in which the writer explains how to do
something step by step.
4 Opinion paragraph is a paragraph in which the writer expresses his or
her feelings , ideas , and opinion about a topic.
5 Narrative paragraph is a paragraph in which the writer tells a story.

3. The elements of formatting a paragraph
1- Margins : a paragraph must have a margin on the
right and a margin on the left. This means that the
paragraph begins 1 inch or 1 ¼ inches from the edge
of the paper.
2- Spacing : A paragraph should be double-spaced.
3-Indenting : The first sentence of a paragraph must
be indented. This means that it begins five spaces
from the left margin.
4-Connected sentences: the sentence in a paragraph
should follow each other. It is not a paragraph if every
sentence begins on a new line. A well-supported
paragraph has at least 5 sentences and often more.
5- Title: A paragraph by itself has a title. This is one
word or a group of words that tells what the topic is.

4. A typical paragraph must have three elements as
follows:
1- The topic sentence.
2- The supporting sentences.
3- The concluding sentence.

5. 1-What is a topic a sentence ?
It is a sentence that introduces the topic and tells
what the writer will say about the topic.

6. 2-What are the supporting sentences?
These are the sentences that follow further explain
and support the topic sentences.

7. 3- what is the concluding sentence?
It is the sentence that often repeats the
information in the topic sentence in a different
way and concludes the topic of the paragraph.

8. What are the characteristics of the topic sentences?
An effective topic sentence should have the following
characteristics:
(i) The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence in
a paragraph.
(ii) It introduces a new idea.
(iii) It presents the topic and explains what the writer will say
about the topic.
This explanation is called the controlling idea.
(iv) It must not be a simple fact.
(v) It must not be a specific detail.
(vi) It must be clear.
(vii) It must be short .
(viii) It must give strong idea.

9. What are characteristics of the controlling idea?
1-The controlling idea must say something about
the topic .
2-The controlling idea must not be too general.
Examples:
1. My friend is an honest man.
2. John is a lazy student.

10. The functions of the supporting sentences
1- The supporting sentences add information about the
topic and the controlling idea.
2- The supporting sentences can include definitions,
explanations, and examples.

11. * What are the functions of the concluding
sentence ?
The concluding or final sentence has the following
functions:
1- It usually reminds the reader of the topic and
controlling idea of the paragraph.
2- The concluding sentence restates the main idea.
3- It may warn the reader.
4- It may make a prediction.
5- It may give an opinion about the topic.

12. •Sometimes writers signal the concluding
sentence by using the phrase in conclusion
•Reference :
•Effective Academic Writing 1, Alice Savage &
Masoud Shafiei, Oxford Univ. Press

13. Prepared by Dr.Fawzi Eltayeb Yousuf Ahmed
Associate professor in the Department of English
Language, College of Science & Arts in Tanumah,
King Khalid University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
feltayb12@gmail.com