Paragraph : Definition, Types and Structure

DEFINITION OF PARAGHRAPH :

A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in which a group of ralated sentences develops one main idea

TYPES OF PARAGRAPH :

Based on the purposes, here are the basic types of paragraphs:

• expository: informative or persuasive
• narative
• descriptiv

1. Expository Writing

    There are two kinds of expository writing. 

     -  Informative

   The informative is used when you have only facts to communicate. Informative expository writing deals with facts only. If you write a set of instructions for cleaning your automatic coffeepot, you are using informative writing. If you write the facts about a city, you are doing informative writing. Informative writing is very important in the world of work. Much of the writing that takes place in an office is informative: a letter ordering stationery, a report on a work-related accident, a memo about contributions to the social fund.

    When writing informative material make sure the introductory sentence clearly identifies the topic and gives general idea of the facts the reader is about to learn. For example, Cleaning an electric coffee maker is a five step process.

-  Persuasive

Persuasive is sometimes referred to as argumentative. Persuasive expository writing is used to persuade the reader to change his/her mind or to accept your point of view. Persuasive writing allows you to express an opinion and then support it with convincing reasons. 

 2.  Narrative Writing

    Narrative writing is the way to present a story that consists of events that happen one after the other. The story you tell can be true or fictional. Any time you relate actions that take place over a period of time you are writing a narrative.

Here are some of the requirements for writing a narrative.

1.    Use the writing process, just as you did for expository writing.

2.    The incident you tell should have a point to it (e.g. a story about a car accident might focus on what real fear is like).

3.    Use a narrator to tell the story.

4.    Include lots of specific details. Give people and places names. (e.g. My friend Susan and I were driving to Lake Simcoe when...)

     5.    Use quotations (dialogue) if it will make the story seem more real and believable. 

3. Descriptive Writing

   The last kind of writing is descriptive. Descriptive writing is like painting a still life picture. The writer has a picture in his/her mind that he/she wants to communicate to the reader. The writer describes that picture by presenting specific details in an organized way (as viewed from right to left, or back to front, or top to bottom, etc.) Descriptive writing requires the use of specific details and vocabulary that carries a strong meaning. For example, an old man in a worn-out bathrobe could be described as "a scarecrow draped with a tattered teal-blue bathrobe that hung from his bony shoulders like a rag."

STRUCTURE OD PARAGRAPH :

      The structure of a paragraph parallels the structure of an essay in order as well as content.  Both contain a coherent argument, supporting evidence/analysis, and a conclusion.  Specifically, the contents of a paragraph are as follows:

• The Topic Sentence serves two functions: first, it functions as the thesis of your paragraph; second, it pushes the thesis of your essay forward and presents an arguable point.  The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence of a paragraph.  Occasionally, you may find it interesting or necessary to place the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph, but don’t make a habit of it!
• Supporting Evidence/Analysis makes your claim digestible.  You need to find a balance between evidence you provide (facts, quotations, summary of events/plot, etc.) and analysis (interpretation of evidence).  If your paragraph is evidence-heavy, you haven’t presented an argument; if it is analysis-heavy, you haven’t adequately supported your claim.
• The Concluding Observation closes your paragraph with an observation that is more than just summary of the contents of the paragraph.  The concluding observation provides a final idea that leads to the next step in your argument.  The observation is usually the last or second-to-last sentence in the paragraph.