This document discusses different types of paragraphs based on content, location, and logical structure. It identifies descriptive, narrative, argumentative, persuasive, and expository as the most commonly used types of paragraphs based on content. Paragraphs can also be classified by their location in a document as opening, transition, or closing paragraphs. Additional types discussed include comparative, cause and effect, problem-solution, sequence, deductive, inductive, and conclusion paragraphs based on logical structure.

1. Types of
paragraphs
By Ana Karina Rubiano and Yenny Oliveros

2. Paragraph
A paragraph is a linguistic unit that presents formal characteristics and content
that differentiates it from other parts of the text.
● It consists of one or several sentences that communicate an idea.
● It offers an organization of thought that are all related to the same idea.
● Communicates the fundamental idea expressively or implicitly.

3. Types of paragraphs
Descriptive, narrative, argumentative, persuasive and expository paragraphs are the most commonly
used.
We can classify paragraphs by their: content, location and by their logical structure.
By content:
• Argumentative: is an opinion supported by facts. This paragraph presents a strong point of view and
provides evidence for the point of view chosen to defend.
• Descriptive: requires you to record a series of detailed observations. Description is not what you saw
persay, but rather, what readers need to see in order to imagine the scene, person, object, etc.
themselves.

4. Types of paragraphs By content:
• Narrative: Normally chronological (author
sometimes uses flashbacks).It is a
sequential presentation of the events that
culminate into a story. A narrative is not a
mere listing of events. Narration usually
contains characters, a setting, a conflict of
some sort, and finally, a resolution
• Persuasive : To persuade people to change
their minds or it is presented as a call to
action, more is needed than your opinion or
sense of conviction, you must provide
evidence.
• Expository: Exposition is explanatory writing.
Exposition can be either an incidental part of
a description or a narration, or it can be the
heart of an article. One problem with
exposition is its credibility.

5. Types of paragraphs By content:
• Conceptual or by definition: A conceptual
paragraph is used to express the
definition of a topic, concept, or term that
will be used later in a book or in an article.
These paragraphs are common in both
scientific and technical texts.
• Cronological: This class of paragraph
expresses a series of events in the exact
order that they occurred.
• Ennumerative: This paragraph is
composed of a series of characteristics
that allude to the same subject and an
organizing phrase that allows us to
understand what is being ordered.
• Explicative: These paragraphs are useful
for expanding upon or further specifying
the topic which is being addressed.

6. Types of paragraphs By location:
• Opening: It is the first section that
introduces the text. Its function is
fundamental, since the author presents
the problem here, raises a thesis, attracts
the interest of the reader, etc.
Typology: Synthesis, phrases or interrogative
phrases, anecdotes and outside quotes.
• Transition: Serves to smoothly change
topics, functioning as a bridge for the
continuation of the text or to move from
one part to the next. It uses expressions
such as: consequently, therefore,
nevertheless, in spite of the above, in
addition, finally, and so on, etc.

7. Types of
paragraphs By Location:
● Closing paragraphs: In these paragraphs the
general idea of the text is summarized and a
summary of it is provided as well.
It brings all previous points into a unified meaning,
and tries to leave a good impression on the reader.

8. Types of paragraphs According to their logical structure:
• Comparative: This paragraph presents
similarities and differences between two
or more objects, events, or any idea.
• Cause and effect: As its name indicates,
this paragraph presents a fact which, in
turn, creates consequences that can
result from it.
• Paragraph of approach and resolution of
a problem: It is structured in two parts:
The first part presents the problem, in a clear or
hidden manner.
In the second part the solution is revealed, and
applied in the same way that the problem was
previously presented.

9. Types of paragraphs According to their logical structure:
• Sequence or process: These types of
paragraphs describe a series of events or
a process in some sort of organized
order.
• Deductive: In this style of paragraph, the
main idea is placed at the beginning, to
build upon it is constructed generally and
then presented specifically in cases.
• Inductive: In these paragraphs the main
idea is placed at the end. In this way
specific cases are used early on to arrive
at a generalization that concludes what
was previously affirmed.
• Conclusion: These paragraphs clearly
express the closing of a section or a
certain topic.

10. Bibliography
• Enciclopedia de Clasificaciones. (2016). Tipos de párrafos. Recuperado de: http://www.tiposde.org/lengua-y-literatura/67-tipos-de-
parrafos/
• M.L.METZ. (2012, May 24). REDACCION Y ESTILO. Retrieved May, 2017, from
http://www.umla.edu.mx/PlataformaDigital/Apuntes%20de%20Alumnos/Comunicacion/2006%20REDACCION%20Y%20ESTILO/13%
20REDACCION%20Y%20ESTILO.pdf
• SANTOS, M. J. (n.d.). Tipos de párrafos (Según su contenido, su estructura lógica y su ubicación). Retrieved May, 2017, from
http://www.monografias.com/trabajos93/tipos-parrafos-segun-su-contenido-su-estructura-logica-y-su-ubicacion/tipos-parrafos-
segun-su-contenido-su-estructura-logica-y-su-ubicacion.shtml