Parts of a Paragraph

What is a Paragraph?• A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic. It

contains a topic sentence, supporting details and sometimes a concluding sentence. 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 a letter or essay.

Three Parts of a Paragraph

Three

Part I: Topic Sentence

A Topic Sentence may:

• Summarize a Point• Introduce a Topic• Suggest an Interpretation, or•May have all of these.

Tips to make a Good Topic Sentence:

1. Use thought provoking words so your readers will be prodded to read.

2. Should be made interesting or innovative to catch the reader’s attention.

3. Should clearly state thee main idea and not overcrowd it with two or more ideas.

4. Should NOT be too broad.

Three Parts of a Paragraph

Part II: Supporting Sentences (Body)

Supporting Sentences may be:

• In Two to Three or more sentences, depending on the topic you have.

Supporting Sentences are those that will:

• Explain

• Provide reasons

• Make classification

• Describe

• State the process

• Give examples

• Prove with Statistical Information

• Make Comparison and Contrast

• Make an argument

• Provide the cause and effects on the topic being talked about.

Note:

Writing a paragraph may either be informal or formal (in terms of language, tone and purpose).

Three Parts of a Paragraph

Part III: Concluding Sentence

A Concluding sentence:

• Indicates that the writer has completed his discussion of the paragraph’s topic sentence.• Is also referred to as a 'clincher’ because it clinches or holds together all sentences that support the main idea intended to be conveyed in a paragraph.• Is found at the last sentence of the paragraph.

Tips to end your paragraph:

1. Restate the main idea presented in the topic sentence.2. Serve to Signal that the writer will go to another paragraph to expand

his ideas.3. In a paragraph that aims to give Comparison and Contrast, conclude the

paragraph with Comparing and Contrasting the topic being discussed.4. If the aim is to describe, wrap up what with finality what you intended to

impress on the reader about the topic.5. If the aim is to classify, make a summary of the items being classified as

one unit of class or group.6. If the aim is to give examples, make a summary on how the examples

provided serve to embody or exemplify that item being expounded.7. If the aim is to make a narrative, draw a concluding sentence where you

emphasize your point in giving the narrative.