WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph is a group of sentences dealing with one topic or subject. The

sentences follow one another from the beginning to the end of the paragraph. A
paragraph is usually part of a longer piece of writing, such as an essay or a short story.

A paragraph is usually about a subject or topic. It contains a topic sentence,

supporting details and sometimes, a concluding sentence.

The subject. The subject is what the paragraph is about.

The topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the
paragraph. It may also be found in the middle or at the end of the paragraph.
Sometimes, too, the topic sentence is just implied, not stated, in the paragraph. The
topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph.

The supporting sentences. The supporting sentences are usually the middle
sentences of the paragraph. They provide the details that explain, expand on, or
support the topic sentence. Supporting sentences are sometimes connected by
transition words or phrases. Transitionals promote coherence among the sentences.

The concluding sentence. A concluding sentence is sometimes used in longer

paragraphs to sum up the ideas presented. It expresses the same idea as the topic
sentence but in different words. It may start with a transition such as clearly or in
conclusion.

PRACTICE WRITING
Read the following paragraph:

My kid brother who likes to read novels is very intelligent. He learned to read at
the age of two and to multiply and divide at the age of two and to multiply and
divide at the age of three. Also, he speaks English and Filipino fluently. Although
only in Grade 2, he won the math contest for elementary pupils only recently. He
got a general average rating of 99 in Grade 1, finishing at the top of his class.
Clearly, his intelligence is off the charts.

ACTIVITY 1
Answer the following questions:

a. What is the paragraph about (subject)?

b. What is the topic sentence of the paragraph?
c. What are the sentences that explain or support the topic sentence?
d. Does the paragraph use transition words? What are they?
e. What is the concluding sentence?
ACTIVITY 2
Rearrange the following sentences to form a good paragraph. Write your paragraph in
the space provided.
a. Unfortunately, Fox was forced to end his run near Thunder Bay because of
health complications.
b. Clearly, Terry Fox had an impact on both cancer research and the millions of
Canadians who participate in the Terry Fox Run every year.
c. Terry Fox was a Canadian who suffered from bone cancer and raised awareness
for cancer research by trying to run across Canada.
d. The CTV network organized a nationwide run to continue Fox’s fundraising
efforts.
e. He attracted a lot of attention by running the distance of a marathon daily on one
prosthetic leg.
f. He also challenged each Canadian citizen to contribute one dollar for cancer
research.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS

All paragraphs have essentially the same structure. They are made up up a topic
sentence, supporting sentences, and, sometimes, a concluding sentence. Although the
same in structure, paragraphs differ in purpose. Paragraphs may be classified
according to purpose. The four major types of paragraphs are descriptive, narrative,
expository, and persuasive.

Narrative Paragraph. A narrative paragraph tells the story of an event. It provides the
relevant details of when and where the event occurred as well as who was included and
what happened. The paragraph may be about an actual or a fictional event.

Descriptive Paragraph. A descriptive paragraph is a paragraph that describes a

person, place or thing. The description allows the reader to form a better mental image
of whatever is being described. Descriptive paragraphs typically include modifiers (ex.,
adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases) and figurative language (ex., metaphors,
personification, similes) to help the reader form a mental picture of the subject.

Expository Paragraph. An expository paragraph explains and reveals information,

explains a subject, gives directions, or shows how to do something. In expository
writing, linking words like first, second, then, and finally are used to help readers follow
the ideas. Types of expository writing include sequence, cause and effect,
comparison/contrast or problem/solution. Exposition often includes techniques such as
the use of examples or illustrations to support a point or the use of some kind of
ordering (chronological or numerical, for example) to help a reader follow a process.

Persuasive Paragraph. The purpose of a persuasive paragraph is to convince the

reader to adopt or accept the writer’s position on a topic, issue, or proposal. A properly
written paragraph begins with the topic sentence, which in a persuasive paragraph
would be the position that the author wants the readers to accept. After the topic
sentence, it is important to use evidence that supports the writer’s position. The
paragraph may end with a compelling conclusion that leaves the reader with something
to consider.

ACTIVITY 3
Identify the type of each of the following paragraphs.

1. Why can't we skateboard in the halls? I think we should be able to skateboard in

the halls because then we would be more active. It would help us get to class
quicker. We could learn about teaching by demonstrating how to do tricks to
younger students. We could have competitions with other schools. It could be
part of gym class. Some kids who walk to school could skateboard instead so
they won't be late as often. We could help teachers too by helping them move
things using our skateboards. Students should have permission to use
skateboards in the halls.
2. The old car slowly chugged down the street like the caboose of a steam engine
train. The car goes up the hill and it goes Ka boom, kachunk. The car is old and
weathered with rust covering the entire body like cancer consuming its victim,
Wheels and tires wobble like a drunk bum on his way home from the bar. Hub
caps are gone along with all the mirrors and extras on the car. Black smoke flows
out the rotten tail pipes like the smoke out of an old cob pipe. The local junk yard
had seen better cars than this. The interior was a dusty brown with holes
covering almost every square inch of the seat covers. The ceiling was hanging
down and the rust had eaten through the roof like a Billy goat through a tin can.
This old car is my old car and it is as faithful as a good old dog by always starting
and getting me from where I need to go. --Jace Oeleis 2005

3. The one day I spent in Morocco, Africa was an experience of a lifetime. When I
finally reached Morocco and got off the bus, there were four little girls standing
shoeless in the hot sun. After I swallowed my tears, I could not even try to picture
this in America as it is not something you often see in the U.S. Meanwhile my
tourist guide instructed me not to give them money as it encouraged the children
to beg; however, I was wearing four silver bracelets. As I walked over to the girls,
their eyes watched my every move. Then I kneeled down to their level while I
gave each girl a bracelet. They stood there gleaming at me, for they were
pleased. I felt completely in disbelief that this tiny gesture could mean so much.
Though this experience was upsetting, and a huge culture shock, it will stay with
me forever. - Kayla Marie Anfinson 2005

4. English is the language spoken throughout most of Canada, but in Quebec, the
most populated province, and in areas near Quebec, French is the first language.
Because of this, Canadians recognize French and English as official languages
that are used in business and government. Many people are bilingual and easily
go from French to English and vice versa when speaking with tourists. The
farther west you go, the more English you'll hear, but it is common to meet
people throughout the country who are familiar with both languages.

5. If I had listened to my teachers who encouraged me to stay in college, I would be

in a much better financial position today. Instead, when I was nineteen, I dropped
out of college and drifted from one job to another. At first, It felt good to have
money while friends of mine who remained in college were always broke, but
soon I realized my mistake. Friends of mine who graduated with degrees in
business and science were suddenly making three or four times what I was
making as a manager of a shoe store. In addition, I began to feel as though my
education was incomplete. Something was missing from my life. Gradually, the
consequences of my short-term thinking became evident; therefore, At the age of
twenty-five, I returned to college to pursue a degree in business administration.

6. It was July 21, 1969, and Neil Armstrong awoke with a start. It was the day he
would become the first human being to ever walk on the moon. The journey had
begun several days earlier, when on July 16th, the Apollo 11 launched from Earth
 headed into outer space. On board with Neil Armstrong were Michael Collins and
Buzz Aldrin. The crew landed on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility a day before
the actual walk. Upon Neil's first step onto the moon's surface, he declared,
'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It sure was!

7. Sunset is the time of day when our sky meets the outer space solar winds. There
are blue, pink, and purple swirls, spinning and twisting, like clouds of balloons
caught in a blender. The sun moves slowly to hide behind the line of horizon,
while the moon races to take its place in prominence atop the night sky. People
slow to a crawl, entranced, fully forgetting the deeds that still must be done.
There is a coolness, a calmness, when the sun does set.

8. Immigration contributes to the overall health of the American economy. Despite

recent concerns expressed about illegal and some legal immigration to the
United States, this country has largely benefited from the skills, talents, and
ambition that immigrants bring with them. American businesses gain from a good
source of affordable labor, while towns and cities are revitalized by immigrant
families who strengthen communities through civic participation and the
generation of new economic activity. The United States must continue to
welcome new arrivals and help those who are already here; otherwise, the
country will lose the advantages it has over other industrialized countries that
compete against us in the global marketplace and seek to recruit from a vast pool
of unskilled and skilled global workers.