PARAGRAPHS

PARAGRAPH A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops a main idea. The beginning of a paragraph signals that a main idea will be introduced.

Parts of a Paragraph MAIN IDEA: is clearly expressed in the topic sentence, which can appear anywhere in the paragraph. Supporting Sentence: explain the main idea of a paragraph. They develop the idea with logically related details, facts, reasons, and examples. Closing Sentence: reinforces or supports the main idea.

FEATURES OF A PARAGRAPH UNITY : Every sentence in the paragraph should support the main idea that is stated in the topic sentence. Examples of Unifying Expressions: In addition to In the same way Furthermore All together Also But

ORDER :The paragraph is easier to understand if the information is arranged in some sort of identifiable order. 1. Logical Order: a. Most important to least important b. Least important to most important c. General to specific d. Specific to general

e. Most familiar to least familiar f. Least familiar to most familiar g. Simplest to most complex h. Most complex to simplest

2. TIME ORDER This ensures that Immediately events unfold in the Now proper sequence. Before Previously Examples of Time Expressions: Then Later Within minutes Soon As time passed Eventually

SPATIAL ORDER Examples of Spatial Expressions Across Nearby Beyond focuses on where things stand physically in space. It helps describe settings and characters. Examples of Spatial Expressions Across Nearby Beyond Between Distant Next to Down Adjacent Over

COHERENCE : is every sentence flowing together and building on one another. Examples of Transitional Expressions: but, and, also, next, soon, first, later, however, another, besides, earlier, moreover, similarly, meanwhile, therefore, farther on, furthermore, in summary, in contrast, in addition, for example, as a result, nevertheless, in the same way

Descriptive Paragraphs: TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS Descriptive Paragraphs: Describes a person, place or thing as vividly as possible. It helps the reader to see, hear, and sense things that will bring the subject to life.

Helpful Hints for Writing Descriptive Paragraphs: 1. Create an overall impression of the person, place or thing that you are describing. 2. Use sensory details of sight, sound, taste, smell, colour, and touch as well as details of time, space, and motion. 3. Similes and metaphors can make your description more interesting.

Instructive Paragraphs: TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS Instructive Paragraphs: Gives detailed, step-by-step instructions. Helpful Hints for Writing Instructive Paragraphs: 1. State your main idea clearly. 2. Organize instructions step by step in logical order.

3. Warn reader of possible difficulties in the described procedure. 4 3. Warn reader of possible difficulties in the described procedure. 4. Use explanation, description, comparison and contrast, or cause-and-effect relationships whenever they may be helpful.

Explanatory Paragraphs Explain a circumstance, event or experience. They answer some or all of these questions: Who? When? Where? What? Why? How? To make an explanation clear, use comparison and contrast, or cause-and-effect relationships.

Helpful Hints for Writing Explanatory Paragraphs Clearly state the topic that needs explanation. 2. Support your topic sentence with detailed information. 3. Research can help to make your explanation accurate and complete.

Narrative Paragraphs Tell a story or relate an event Use this type of paragraph in a formal narrative as well as any form of writing to tell a story.

Helpful Hints for Writing Narrative Paragraphs 1. Establish the point of view from which you are writing (first-person, second- person, or third-person) 2. Set the scene or the tone with our opening sentence. 3. Organize the events of your paragraph in time order.