WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

• A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops one main idea.

• A paragraph may stand by itself as a complete piece of writing, or it may be a section of a longer piece of writing, such as an essay.

• A paragraph should be neither so short that the subject is underdeveloped and insufficiently explained, nor so long that it tends to break down into too many subtopics that would be better organized into separate paragraphs. [As a practical guide, a paragraph should be written in approximately eight to twelve sentences (75-125 words)].

Elements of a Paragraph

One or more Introductory Sentence (optional)

A Topic Sentence (compulsory)

Some major supporting sentences (comp.)

Some minor supporting sentences (comp.)

An emphatic sentence (opt.)

A concluding sentence (opt.)

Discussion part; interchangeable or complimentary

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH

• Contains ONLY ONE MAIN IDEA

• Has unity (Focuses on a topic)

• Coherent (Use of repetition and transitional words and pronouns)

• Adequately developed

Proper Proportion of an adequately developed paragraph:

Introduction (10 %)

Discussion (80%)

Conclusion (10%)

Introductory &Topic sentence

Major & Minor Supp. Sentences

Emphatic/ Concl. sentence

TOPIC SENTENCE

• A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph. It is the most general sentence of the paragraph. All the other sentences serve to explain, describe, extend, or support this main-idea sentence.

• Most paragraphs you read will begin with the topic sentence. However, some topic sentences come in the middle of the paragraph; others come at the end. Some paragraphs have no stated topic sentence at all; in those cases, the main idea is implied.

• Students are usually advised to use topic sentences in all their work to be certain that the writing has a focus and develops a single idea at a time.

REQUIREMENTS OF A TOPIC SENTENCE

A topic sentence should be: (1) a complete sentence (2) clear (3) specific

1. To be a good neighbor. (incomplete)

2. To be a good neighbor, one should be generous, friendly and patient. (complete)

3. Living in a village offers many advantages (unclear)

4. Living in a village offers four advantages (clear)

5. To play sports, one needs some requirements. (too general)

6. To play basketball, one needs strong hands, speed, and tall body. (specific)

Examples:

PARTS OF A TOPIC SENTENCE

The topic sentence of a paragraph should contain:

(1) The topic (general subject)

(2) The specific parts of the general subject (controlling idea), i.e. the point the writer makes about the topic

Examples:

1.Living in a big city offers three advantages.

2.There are three advantages of living in a big city.

3.Over a million people visit Bali every year because of its wonderful scenery and fine weather.

4.Due to its wonderful scenery and fine weather, over a million people visit Bali every year.

Topic + controlling idea

Paragraph Sample 1

I went through a difficult period after my father died. I was moody and sullen at home. I spent most of the time in my bedroom listening to music on the radio, which made me feel even worse. I stopped playing soccer after school with my friends. My grades in school went down. I lost my appetite and seemed to get into arguments with everybody. My mom began to look worried, but I couldn’t bring myself to participate in an activity with any spirit. It seemed life had lost its joy for me.

Paragraph Sample 2

A neighbor is the closest “relative”. However, a good neighbor should have three qualities. First, trustworthy, meaning that one should be reliable. For instance, one shouldn’t worry to leave his house for a long time. Second, tolerating each other, such as preventing excessive noise, stop being jealous with new goods belong to people living next door and refraining from interfering other business. The last quality is helpful, which means one should care of others, for instance, everyone will certainly be able to create a pleasant neighborhood.

Topic Sentence Vs. Title

• The topic sentence works like a title by announcing to

the reader what the paragraph is about. However, a title

indicates the general subject to be discussed. It is

usually a single word or short phrase, whereas the topic

sentence must always be a complete sentence.

• Title: Living in a big city

• Topic sentence: Living in a big city offers three advantages.

• Title: The stress of college registration

• Topic sentence: College registration can be stressful.

Types of Sentences in a Paragraph

(1) Computer chips have changed our way of life in many ways. (2) With computer chips we can make very small computers. (3) Space scientists use these small computers in satellites and space ships. (4) Large companies use these small computers for business. (5) We can make very small calculators with computer chips. (6) Some calculators are as small as a credit card, and these calculators are not very expensive. (7) Computer chips are also used for making digital watches. (8) A normal watch has a spring and moving hands, but a digital watch has no moving parts. (9) A digital watch show the time and date with numbers, and some digital watches even have an alarm and a stopwatch. (10) The computer chip makes all of this possible.

Writing Practice

• Develop each of the following topics into a good paragraph. Do it in three successive stages: (1) decide on controlling idea (the point you wish to make about the topic); (2) write this controlling idea as part of your topic sentence; and (3) develop a paragraph based on the topic sentence.

1) Cheating 2) Noisy neighbors

• Write in this way: Topic : Cheating Controlling idea : ……………… Topic sentence : ………………. Paragraph : …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Reference

Scarry, Sandra & Scarry, John. 2011. The Writer’s Workplace

with Readings: Building College Writing Skills (7th ed.)

Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning