PARAGRAPH WRITING
A good paragraph is a mini-essay. It should demonstrate three components:
1. Introduction, i.e., a topic sentence
2. Body, i.e., supporting details
3. Conclusion or a transitional sentence to the paragraph that follows.
A good paragraph is characterized by unity, coherence, and adequate development.
Unity: State the main idea of the paragraph in a clearly constructed topic sentence. Make sure
each sentence is related to the central idea.
Coherence: Arrange ideas in a clear, logical order. Provide appropriate transitions to the
subsequent paragraph.
Adequate development: Develop your paragraphs with specific details and examples.
Strategies for adequate development:
Elaborate: Spell out the details by defining, or by clarifying and adding relevant, pertinent
information.
Illustrate: Paint a verbal picture that helps make or clarify your point(s). Well illustrated
pieces are easier to read and follow than those on a high level of abstraction.
Argue: Give the reasons, justifications, and rationales for the position or view you have taken
in the topic sentence. Draw inferences for the reader and explain the significance of
assertions or claims being made.
Narrate: Relate the historical development of the phenomenon at issue.
Process: Describe how something works.
Describe: Observe without preconceived categories.
Classify: Organize ideas.
Analyse: Divide ideas into elements.
Compare and Contrast: Show similarities and differences between two or more ideas.
Relate: Show correlations and causes (beware of logical fallacies, however!)
A paragraph should be neither too short nor too long. A good paragraph should be 5-6
sentences long. As a general rule, avoid single-sentence paragraphs. Look for a logical place
to make a break or reorganize the material. Indent each new paragraph five space.
Sample paragraph:
Have you ever listened about global warming? Global warming is becoming a more serious
problem and has become a threat to our planet. So, I will tell you how we can stop global
warming. Global warming is making our world a dangerous place and it is destroying the
world. Global warming is caused by the greenhouse gases that are left by factories, cars,
motorbikes etc. The air is polluted from factory emissions and car exhaust. Because of the
greenhouse gases there is acid rain. Acid rain destroys lakes and rivers and affects the fish
and wildlife. Due to global warming the ozone layer is depleting and the harmful ultraviolet
rays are reaching the earth. This causes the glaciers and icebergs to melt. First, we have work
together to reduce, reuse and recycle to stop the causes of global warming. One of the things
we could do is recycle more. Recycling is the process in which we could reuse things like
cardboard, plastic bottles and plastic bags. For example, we could use both sides of a piece of
paper. Even more useful, would be to buy washable water bottles that can be reused. Finally,
we can buy goods with less packaging and we could carry cloth bags to carry our groceries
and purchases instead of wasting plastic bags. Next we need to find more different types of
energy to use as another step to stop the effects of global warming. Using more solar, wind
and hydroelectric power would reduce pollution and consumption of fossil fuels. Less gas
and coal would be burned if people used alternate power sources. As well we can use public
transport instead of driving alone in individual cars. If people prefer not to take the bus or
train they could walk or ride a bike.
There are other ways to put global warming in check. One is to plant more trees and stop
deforesting. More trees produce more oxygen which benefits the ozone layer. Another way is
to switch off electrical equipment when not in use would stop the wastage of precious
electricity.
When people think about the consequences and how to help to prevent global warming and
take action, we could stop global warming. This would make our world a wonderful place to
live.
Topics for paragraph writing:
1. If I could make something disappear in my life what would it be and why?
2. A game that meant a lot to my childhood
3. Write about a trip to the moon, how did you get there, what did you see, was it fun or
scary?
4. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
5. Write about a time when you were very angry. What happened?
6. Think about something you are not allowed to do but wish you could. Write about
why you want to do it and why you should be allowed to do it.
7. Write about 5 things you could do better if you worked really hard and gave more
effort.
8. Here’s what a new student needs to know about my school.
9. Why weekends should be longer
10. If only I would have listened!
