Paragraph writing is the process of writing a self-contained unit of text on a particular
idea or topic. A paragraph is a group of sentences that are related to each other and
that develop a single main idea. Paragraphs are used to organize and structure
longer pieces of writing, such as essays, articles, and reports.
A well-written paragraph has the following characteristics:
Unity: The paragraph focuses on a single main idea.
Coherence: The sentences in the paragraph are arranged in a logical order
and are connected to each other.
Development: The paragraph provides enough information to support the
main idea.
A typical paragraph has the following structure:
Topic sentence: The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It
is usually placed at the beginning of the paragraph, but it can also be placed
in the middle or at the end of the paragraph.
Supporting sentences: The supporting sentences provide evidence and
examples to support the main idea.
Concluding sentence: The concluding sentence summarizes the main idea of
the paragraph and/or transitions to the next paragraph.
Here is an example of a well-written paragraph:
Topic sentence: Reading is an important skill for everyone to have.
Supporting sentences: Reading helps us to learn new things, expand our vocabulary,
and improve our writing skills. It also helps us to understand the world around us and
to connect with other people.
Concluding sentence: In conclusion, reading is an essential skill for everyone to
have. It helps us to learn, grow, and connect with the world around us.
Paragraph writing is an important skill for all writers. By following the tips above, you
can write clear, concise, and well-organized paragraphs.
Expository paragraph:
Topic sentence: The solar system is made up of eight planets, five dwarf planets,
and countless moons, asteroids, and comets.
Supporting sentences: The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The five dwarf planets are Ceres, Pluto, Haumea,
Makemake, and Eris. Moons orbit planets, asteroids orbit the Sun between Mars and
Jupiter, and comets are icy bodies that orbit the Sun in elliptical orbits.
Concluding sentence: The solar system is a vast and dynamic place, with new
discoveries being made all the time.
Narrative paragraph:
Topic sentence: I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee
brewing.
Supporting sentences: I got out of bed and stretched, then walked to the window and
looked out at the sunrise. The sky was ablaze with color, and the birds were singing
in the trees. I felt happy and alive.
Concluding sentence: I went downstairs and made myself a cup of coffee, then sat
on the porch and enjoyed the beautiful morning.
Persuasive paragraph:
Topic sentence: We should all recycle and compost to reduce our environmental
impact.
Supporting sentences: Recycling and composting help to reduce the amount of
waste that goes to landfills, which is a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas
that is even more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. Recycling also
helps to conserve natural resources and reduce energy consumption.
Concluding sentence: By recycling and composting, we can all make a difference in
protecting our planet.
Explain how to do something, such as how to cook a dish, how to change a
tyre, or how to solve a math problem.
Describe a place, such as your favorite room in your house, your favorite
park, or a city that you have visited.
Define a concept or term, such as democracy, sustainability, or artificial
intelligence.
Summarize a news article or research study.
Compare and contrast two things, such as two different types of cars, two
different schools of thought, or two different historical events.
Narrative topics:
Write a short story about a time when you learned something important.
Write a memory about a person or place that is special to you.
Write a description of a dream or nightmare.
Write a creative story about a fantastical world or event.
Write a personal essay about a topic that is important to you.
Persuasive topics:
Argue for or against a current event or issue.
Persuade your reader to take a certain action, such as recycling, voting, or
volunteering.
Promote a product or service.
Offer advice to your reader on a particular topic.
Challenge your reader's preconceived notions about a particular topic.
