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    Composing Effective Paragraphs

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    JP Garces
    A paragraph contains a main idea or topic sentence supported by additional sentences that develop that central idea. There are two types of topic sentences: expressed, where the main idea is directly stated, and implied, where the reader must infer the topic from the details. For a paragraph to be effective it must have unity, with all ideas focused on the central topic sentence, and coherence where the sentences logically connect and flow together through transitions. When writing a paragraph, the author should brainstorm ideas, write a draft with a clear topic sentence and supporting details, edit for clarity and flow, and receive feedback before publishing the final version.

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    Composing Effective Paragraphs

    Uploaded by

    JP Garces
    379 views2 pages
    A paragraph contains a main idea or topic sentence supported by additional sentences that develop that central idea. There are two types of topic sentences: expressed, where the main idea is directly stated, and implied, where the reader must infer the topic from the details. For a paragraph to be effective it must have unity, with all ideas focused on the central topic sentence, and coherence where the sentences logically connect and flow together through transitions. When writing a paragraph, the author should brainstorm ideas, write a draft with a clear topic sentence and supporting details, edit for clarity and flow, and receive feedback before publishing the final version.

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    A paragraph contains a main idea or topic sentence supported by additional sentences that develop that central idea. There are two types of topic sentences: expressed, where the main idea is directly stated, and implied, where the reader must infer the topic from the details. For a paragraph to be effective it must have unity, with all ideas focused on the central topic sentence, and coherence where the sentences logically connect and flow together through transitions. When writing a paragraph, the author should brainstorm ideas, write a draft with a clear topic sentence and supporting details, edit for clarity and flow, and receive feedback before publishing the final version.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    379 views2 pages

    Composing Effective Paragraphs

    Uploaded by

    JP Garces
    A paragraph contains a main idea or topic sentence supported by additional sentences that develop that central idea. There are two types of topic sentences: expressed, where the main idea is directly stated, and implied, where the reader must infer the topic from the details. For a paragraph to be effective it must have unity, with all ideas focused on the central topic sentence, and coherence where the sentences logically connect and flow together through transitions. When writing a paragraph, the author should brainstorm ideas, write a draft with a clear topic sentence and supporting details, edit for clarity and flow, and receive feedback before publishing the final version.

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    Composing Effective Paragraphs

    A paragraph is a group of sentences that belong together that represent a unit of thought. It is marked by
    indention of the first word of the first sentence.

    A good paragraph is a unit of thought in which all sentences work together to present and develop one main
    idea. This main idea is called the topic sentence. The other sentences that support or explain the topic sentence
    are called supporting details which often suggest the purpose of the paragraph -- to explain, to describe, to
    narrate, to persuade, and so on.

    There are two kinds of topic sentence. These are the following:

    1. Topic Sentence Expressed

    It means that the topic sentence is directly stated or expressed in the paragraph. It is usually found at the
    beginning, at the middle or at the end of the paragraph.

    2. Topic Sentence Implied

    It means that the topic sentence is indirectly or not stated in the paragraph. However, after reading the
    paragraph, and if all sentences and details in a paragraph clearly refer indirectly to a certain point, the reader can
    formulate the topic sentence.

    A good paragraph must have the following characteristics:

    1. Unity

    It means oneness or singleness of idea. All the ideas presented in the paragraph must be unified and directly
    focused on the central idea or topic sentence.

    2. Coherence

    It means that the sentence in a paragraph leads right to the next, showing organization that develops the idea. In
    a coherent paragraph, the writer guides the reader by using transitions or parenthetical expressions. To establish
    coherence in a paragraph, the writer should establish the following techniques:

    a. Repeat key or main words or phrases.


    b. Create parallel structures.
    c. Be consistent in point of view, verb tense and number.
    d. Use transition words/parenthetical expressions or phrases between sentences and between paragraphs.

    The following are steps in writing a good paragraph:

    1. Prewriting
    a. Carefully think of what you are going to write and organize your ideas for your paragraph.
    b. Collect facts related to your topic.
    c. Write down your ideas.
    d. Find the main idea of your paragraph. Choose the most important point you are to present based on your
    gathered or collected facts.
    e. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea.
    2. Writing the Paragraph
    a. Get your notes or collected facts.
    b. Write the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and closing sentence.
    c. Write clear and simple sentence to express meaning.
    d. Focus on the main idea of your paragraph.
    e. Use the dictionary to help you find the additional words to express your ideas.

    3. Editing the Paragraph


    a. Read your paragraph carefully and check the spelling.
    b. Make sure each sentence has a subject and must agree with verbs.
    c. Check the verb tenses.
    d. Make sure that the sentences make sense.

    4. Styling the Organization


    a. Your paragraph should have a topic sentence.
    b. Your supporting sentences are focused on the central or main idea.
    c. Be sure you have a closing sentence.
    d. Find out if your sentence is interesting.

    5. Publishing the Paragraph


    a. Make a paper copy of your paragraph.
    b. Show your work to your teacher or parent. Request them to edit your paragraph.
    c. Elicit or get points or hints on how to improve your paragraph.
    d. After a thorough editing and revision, produce the final copy of the paragraph.

    There are different ways on how to begin a paragraph. These are the following:

    1. A striking statement or original general statement


    2. A direct quotation or proverb
    3. A question

    There are different ways on how to end a paragraph:


    1. An original general statement
    2. A direct quotation or proverb
    3. A question
    4. A summary

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