MARIANO MARCOS STATE

UNIVERSITY
College of Teacher Education

Engl. 01: ENGLISH FOR TEACHERS

Chapter 5: Sentence Construction and Paragraph Writing
Paragraph Writing

Paragraphs are the group of sentences combined together, about a certain topic. It is a
very important form of writing as we write almost everything in paragraphs, be it an answer,
essay, story, emails, etc. We can say that a well-structured paragraph is the essence of good
writing. The purposes of the paragraph are to give information, to explain something, to tell a
story, and to convince someone that our idea is right.
Paragraphs are blocks of textual content that segment out a larger piece of writing—
stories, novels, articles, creative writing, or professional writing portions—making it less
complicated to read and understand. Excellent paragraphs are an available writing skill for
plenty of types of literature, and proper writers can substantially beautify the clarity of their
news, essays, or fiction writing whilst constructing nicely.

Structure of a Paragraph
A paragraph has three major parts-
 Topic sentence
 Supporting sentences
 Concluding sentence

1. Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is a precise statement that reflects the main idea of the paragraph. It should
be carefully written as it will show the reader what you are going to talk about. Words chosen
for this should not be cluttered and ambiguous as readers will decide to read further based on
this.

2. Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences explain the topic sentence in detail. They expand the main topic and
develops the main idea into the explanation. They explain the main topic using examples, facts,
quotes, etc. They have to be related to the topic sentence.
There can be two types of Supporting sentences, First, The major supporting sentence; this
sentence directly explains the main idea with some new fact or new idea. Second, a minor
support sentence helps the major supporting sentence develop the controlling idea.

3. Conclusion Sentence
A good concluding sentence brings a paragraph to a polished end. It may give a summary of the
main topic, a concluding sentence also gives a final take on the topic and leaves the reader with
complete information.
A good conclusion can either be just reiterating the topic again or it could be concluded with a
few main points which were not exclusively mentioned in the paragraph.
What Makes a Paragraph Good?

A perfect and well-written paragraph comprises a key sentence, applicable supporting

sentences, and a last (or transition) sentence. This structure is fundamental to maintaining your
paragraph centered on the main concept and creating a clear and concise photo.

In order to add something interesting, and adding an interesting fact in your content does not
necessarily follow the conventional paragraph structure, it’s more about scene building and
continuing a story. Properly-written paragraphs are a staple of suitable flash fiction and short
fiction writing, as short testimonies need to target a principal concept. When your sentences
are unified and connected with other sentences, you can write a good paragraph.

Example of a Paragraph

 The main idea of the paragraph was describing the room.

 Then there are many supporting sentences supporting the main idea and expanding it in
a way that the picture becomes clear in the reader’s mind.

 Concluding sentence “ I felt that I breathed an atmosphere of sorrow. An air of stern,

deep, and irredeemable gloom hung over and pervaded all,”

This sentence summarized how the room looked and what feeling ran through his mind.

Example 2:

The uncommon and speedy increase in Earth’s average temperature is called

global warming. This growth has extensively been higher within the last
century due to human intervention with nature. The release of greenhouse
gasses in the ecosystem has been one of the number one motives behind the
boom in temperature. The multiplied intake of fossil fuels has extended the
attention of greenhouse gasses. The effect of world Warming is a lot higher
than just a sore in temperature.

Tips to Write a Good Paragraph

Whether you're writing a short paragraph or a long paragraph, the basic laws of structure
should apply to both. While the framework for fiction is less strict than for nonfiction, the
material or tale you create must logically or sequentially tie to the next paragraph. These
aspects aid in the coherency of your body paragraphs, linking them together to form a unified
whole around a topic or to establish a narrative arc.
1. Think Before You Write
Thinking before writing helps establish a structure and understand what you are going to
answer in the paragraph. How can you be going to answer and what points should be provided
to support your hypothesis? What facts and quotes can support your idea.

2. Open Your Notebook

Write the answers to the above questions in a manner that includes all the important points.
Just write in pointers to remember the gist of the matter.

3. Choose the Main Idea

Out of all the information you have found, you will have to decide the main idea of the
paragraph which you would like to operate.

4. Use a Dictionary and Thesaurus

Use a dictionary and thesaurus to add additional words to express your ideas.

5. Make Your Topic Sentence's First Sentence.

The opening line of your first paragraph sets the tone for what your audience will learn as they
continue reading. Even in fiction, a paragraph's introduction either creates or extends an idea
or scenario from the previous paragraph. Every successful paragraph starts with a central topic
that the rest of the paragraph aims to support, regardless of what style or genre you're writing
for.

6. The Intermediate Sentences Should be Used to Provide Support.

Follow-up information to your main sentence or prior paragraph is included in these sentences.
These phrases are where you persuade your reader to believe or imagine what you believe, and
offer them all they need to see your point of view.

7. Make Use of Transitional Words.

Transition words help unite disparate paragraphs to generate a unified theme. Readers will be
able to trace your ideas and comprehend how they relate to one another if you use phrases like
"in addition" or "moreover," which will make for a smoother, more enjoyable reading
experience. This is especially important for essayists and bloggers, who frequently share a
single concept with their audience at a time.

Conclusion

 This segment has to wrap all of your arguments and factors.

 Must restate the primary arguments in a simplified way.

 Make sure that the reader is left with something to think about, specifically if it's far
from an argumentative essay continually don't forget to permit time to rewrite the first
proofread your essay before turning it on.

Key elements of paragraph writing:

Topic Sentence: The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph, and it
introduces the main idea or topic that the paragraph will discuss. It should be clear and concise,
providing a preview of what the reader can expect.
Supporting Details: Following the topic sentence, a well-constructed paragraph includes
supporting details, evidence, or examples that expand on the main idea. These details help to
clarify, explain, or provide evidence for the topic sentence.
 Coherence and Unity: The sentences within a paragraph should be logically organized
and connected to the topic sentence. They should flow smoothly from one to the next,
maintaining the unity and coherence of the paragraph. Transitions and linking words can be used
to enhance this flow.
Length and Focus: The length of a paragraph can vary, but it should maintain a clear
focus on the main idea. Paragraphs that are too long can become unwieldy and lose the reader's
interest, while paragraphs that are too short may lack depth.
Concluding Sentence : Some paragraphs include a concluding sentence that summarizes
the main point or provides a transition to the next paragraph. It is not always necessary but can
be useful for providing closure.
Purpose: The purpose of a paragraph can vary, including providing information,
explaining a concept, supporting an argument, describing a scene, or telling a story. The
paragraph's purpose guides its content and structure.
Audience Awareness: Consider your target audience when writing a paragraph. The
level of detail, style, and tone should be appropriate for the readers.
Revision and Editing: After writing a paragraph, it's important to revise and edit it for
clarity, conciseness, and grammar. Check for any sentences that don't contribute to the main idea
and eliminate them.

Here's an example of a well-structured paragraph:

Topic Sentence: The internet has revolutionized the way people access information.
Supporting Details: Today, with a few clicks or taps on a keyboard or touchscreen, we
can find answers to virtually any question, explore new topics, and connect with a global
community of knowledge seekers. Search engines like Google provide instant access to vast
amounts of information, while online forums and social media platforms enable us to engage in
discussions and share our own insights. This ease of access and communication has transformed
the way we learn, research, and exchange ideas.
Concluding Sentence: As a result, the internet has become an indispensable tool in our
daily lives, profoundly impacting education, communication, and the way we acquire
knowledge.

Types of Paragraphs
The four different types of paragraphs are descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive.

1. The Descriptive Paragraph

The descriptive paragraph describes something and shows the reader what a thing or a
person is like. The words chosen in the description often appeal to the five senses of touch,
smell, sight, sound, and taste. Descriptive paragraphs can be artistic and may deviate from
grammatical norms.
When teaching how to write a descriptive paragraph, you have them to consider the five
senses of touch, smell, sound, taste, and sight. Before writing the paragraph, make five columns
and list words or ideas for the subject of the paragraph based on these five senses. Like this:
touch smell sound taste sight

The sense of sight is the one that most writers consider first, but try to work on that one
last. Let’s take, for example, a description of a place. What do you feel when you go there? What
do you feel on your skin. Is it hot or cold? Is it wet or dry? What do you smell? Is there food?
Are the smells good or bad? What do the smells remind you of? What do you hear? Is it quiet or
noisy? Are there cars moving about? Are people talking? What about the sounds of nature? Are
they present? Even a soft wind makes a sound. Taste is a difficult sense to describe, and the
degree to which you pay this any attention depends on the subject matter. Sight comes last. Here
you can describe color, size, depth, height, width, etc.

Here’s an example. I want to write a paragraph that describes a lake:

 touch smell sound taste sight

water air laughing sand the sun

sand fish splashing lotion sand
heat hot dogs music children
food trucks volleyball lifeguard
sun block toys
boats
canoes

Lake Harriet is a great place to swim and relax. In the summer, the water is warm and clean, and
the beaches attract people seeking relief from a midsummer scorcher. In addition to swimming,
visitors to the lake can go canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, or fishing. The blue water is a
refreshing, tempting sight. The sweet scent of sunblock wafts through the air from sunbathers
lying on the beach. Children laugh and splash in the water, and nearby volleyball games stir
passionate shouts in the heat of competition. Meanwhile, lifeguards sit atop their towers and make
sure everyone is safe. In the distance, sailboats catch the soft breezes that ripple Lake Harriet’s
surface and canoeists glide quietly past. This is what summer is all about!

In this simple description, the reader should get a good sense of what it’s like to be in this
place. The prewriting exercise of listing different aspects of the experience as it relates to the five
senses is helpful when coming up with something to write.

An example of a descriptive paragraph:

The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun, and now the
orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music, and the opera of voices pitches a key
higher. Laughter is easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a
cheerful word. The groups change more swiftly, swell with new arrivals, dissolve
and form in the same breath; already there are wanderers, confident girls who weave
here and there among the stouter and more stable, become from a sharp, joyous
moment the center of a group, and then, excited with triumph, glide on through the
sea-change of faces and voices and color under the constantly changing light.

This excerpt is taken from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In this paragraph you
can hear, see, and feel the setting in which the story takes place. When you practice writing a
descriptive paragraph yourself, you should address all aspects of the physical world.

2. The narrative paragraph

The narrative paragraph tells a story. There’s a sequence of action or there’s a clear beginning,
middle, and end to the paragraph.
An example of a narrative paragraph:
It’s been almost ten years since I first ran for political office. I was thirty-five at the time,
four years out of law school, recently married, and generally impatient with life. A seat in
the Illinois legislature had opened up, and several friends suggested that I run, thinking that
my work as a civil rights lawyer, and contacts from my days as a community organizer,
would make me a viable candidate. After discussing it with my wife, I entered the race and
proceeded to do what every first-time candidate does: I talked to anyone who would listen.
I went to block club meetings and church socials, beauty shops and barbershops. If two
guys were standing on a corner, I would cross the street to hand them campaign literature.
This opening paragraph from Barack Obama’s The Audacity of Hope tell an interesting
story about how a man entered the arena of politics. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and
it raises the reader’s curiosity about what will happen next.
Narrative paragraphs are the building blocks you need to tell a story in English. This type
of paragraph explains something that happened. Think about a time that a friend or family
member came to you and said, “guess what!”. They probably then told you a story about
something that happened to them. This is what a narrative paragraph is, but in written form.
 The lesson here breaks down all of the pieces that go into building a strong narrative
paragraph. When you have mastered this lesson, you will be able to describe things that
happened to you, or your memories, in writing in English.
Narrative paragraphs are a great way to grow your vocabulary. You can use this type of
writing to talk about new things or places, and as you do so, you will find yourself needing new
words. For extra practice after completing this lesson, write a favorite memory: about a delicious
meal, a new city you visited, or how you met a friend. At the end of this lesson, you can even
find instructions on how to get feedback on your paragraph!
Because narrative paragraphs resemble fiction (an untrue story), you have a little more
freedom to write the story in the style you prefer. This is known as artistic freedom or artistic
license. You can use the first-person narrative style and include words that clearly refer to you (I,
me, my, mine, etc.), or you can try to tell the story from a purely objective point of view that is
not personal but gives a straight-forward, factual account of what happened.
When you do the prewriting for a narrative paragraph, list the sequence of activity. When
you are ready to write, you can use this information in plotting out the events. It is not necessary
to always go directly in order. An event that happens last can appear first in the paragraph. In
fact, this is a good way to arouse interest in the reader. As long as the paragraph seems fairly
logical, you have a lot of creative freedom in writing this kind of paragraph.

You could also just start writing the paragraph in a stream-of-consciousness sort of way
and let the ideas and action flow freely from your mind as you remember them.

The expository paragraph

The expository paragraph explains something or provides instruction. It could also
describe a process and move the reader step by step through a method. This type of paragraph
often requires research, but it’s possible that the writer is able to rely on his or her own
knowledge and expertise.
An expository paragraph informs the reader on a subject. It provides information.
Expository paragraphs are found in the books that you read for school or the instructions that you
read when trying to repair something on your house.
There are many different kinds of paragraphs that provide information. The three main
types of expository paragraphs are:
 informative
 cause and effect
 comparison / contrast

No matter what form an expository paragraph takes, the writer focuses on presenting factual
information and being objective. This type of paragraph is usually written from a third-person
point of view.
Example of informative expository paragraph.. This type of a paragraph might explain
a process, describe a category, or provide a long definition of something that is complicated. The
sample paragraph below explains that Canada is a bilingual country.
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.

This paragraph focuses on facts and avoids sounding judgmental.

A comparison-contrast expository paragraph compares two things. The differences

can be large or small, depending on the goals of the writer.
This next paragraph compares processed and unprocessed food, but unlike the previous example,
it does stake out a position:
There are many advantages to purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables as an alternative to
popular processed food items at your local grocery store. While potato chips and donuts are
tasty and frozen food is convenient, a habit of eating food prepared in a factory leads to
overall poor nutrition and can cause bad health. These ill effects result in increased visits to
the dentist or the family physician. A bag of apples might cost more than a bag of Cheetos, but
savings in health costs far outweigh the immediate savings at the cash register. Besides, pound
 This paragraph wants you to accept the idea that fresh food is better than processed food,
and it lists some examples of that. This could easily be one paragraph in an essay.

A cause and effect paragraph explains why the action of one thing (the cause) produces
a result (the effect). In this example, the first-person is used.
If I had listened to my teachers who encouraged me 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.

An example of an expository paragraph:

All toilet flush tanks work about the same. When the toilet is flushed, the trip handle lifts the
tank ball, opening the outlet and letting water flow into the bowl. When the tank is nearly
empty, the ball falls back in place over the outlet. The float falls with the water level,
opening the water-supply inlet valve just as the outlet is being closed, and the tank is refilled
through the filler tube. Water also flows through the bowl refill tube into the overflow pipe to
replenish trap-sealing water. As the water level in the tank nears the top of the overflow pipe,
the float closes the inlet valve, completing the cycle.

This paragraph from Reader’s Digest Complete Do-it-yourself Manual gives detailed
information about how the water moves through a toilet when it is flushed. It’s instructive, and if
you like this kind of thing, it may even be interesting.

The Persuasive Paragraph

 This type of paragraph tries to get the reader to accept a particular point of view or
understand the writer’s position. This is the type of paragraph that many teachers focus
on because it’s useful when building an argument. It often requires the collection of facts
and research.
 A persuasive paragraph tries to convince the reader that a particular point of view is
worthy of consideration. It wants you to consider both sides of an issue, but it reveals a
bias in favor of one side over another. Facts may be presented in support of a position,
but the writer is not being objective. The point of view is subjective.

An example of a persuasive paragraph:

Immigration contributes to the overall health of the American economy. Despite recent
concerns related to the costs created by 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 town and cities are revitalized by immigrant families who strengthen
communities through civic participation the generation of new economic activity. The
United States must continue to welcome new arrivals and help those who already here;
otherwise, the country will lose the advantages it has over other industrialized countries
who compete against us in the global marketplace and seek to recruit from a vast pool of
unskilled and skilled global workers.
 This is the paragraph that appeared on the page describing what a paragraph is. Your
teacher wrote it. I have an opinion about a particular topic, and in this paragraph I want the
reader to accept or consider my position. The persuasive paragraph is, perhaps, the most difficult
to write but there is a good method I can show you in order to be successful in writing one.

Common complaints about writing:

 I can’t think of anything to write.
 I don’t know how to fix my mistakes.
 Everything I write sounds stupid.
 I procrastinate.

There are many other problems that people have when it comes to putting ideas down in written
form, but do you have these same problems when you are speaking with someone? Probably not.
Can you tell a story at the dinner table? Can you explain to a friend or to another student how to
do something? You already have the basic communication skills for writing if speaking isn’t a
problem. Remember that writing is like speaking, but the advantage in writing is that you can fix
your mistakes. Let the words and ideas come out and deal with the problems later.

Addressing problems with writing:

1. Don’t give up. Writing is work and work can be hard. If you give up, you will never
finish an assignment correctly or succeed as a writer.
2. Whenever possible, write about a topic that interests you. Sometimes you have no
other choice but to write about something that you are not interested in, but even in a situation
like that, you have to convince yourself that there is something interesting about it. If you have to
write about something relatively boring such as tractor tires, for instance, discover something
about the subject that you can relate to and focus on that
3. Don’t worry about what other people think. Just write. You need to have something
written in order to improve it and very few people write something perfectly on the very first try.
You wouldn’t believe how often I revise my own work. In fact, the version of the page you are
reading right now will likely change.
4. Write as much as you can and then stop. Later, when you return to what you have
written if might be easier to see the areas where you can improve your writing or fix mistakes.
5. Look at examples of good writing. They’re everywhere. We learn how to improve by
watching what other people do and then figure out for ourselves how to take our own approach.
6. Practice writing every day. Keep a journal, a diary, or a blog. You teach yourself how
to improve your own work by writing regularly.
7. Learn to recognize common mistakes.

Some of the most common writing mistakes:

1. Incorrect or inconsistent verb tenses. The paragraph started in the past tense and then in
middle of, suddenly shifted to the present continuous tense. Of course, it is necessary to use more
than one verb tense in some cases, but if you are telling a story about something that happened in
the past, stick with the past tense. Don’t use the present continuous tense unless you are directly
quoting someone.
2. Incomplete sentences and fragments. Do you know when a sentence is complete? Does it have
a subject and a verb, or is it just a very long phrase? Or is it a dependent clause without the main
clause?
3. Run-on sentences. These are sentences that are too long. The writer should have ended the
sentence, but instead chose to keep going. There’s nothing wrong with a short sentence. In fact, a
short sentence or question can be very effective when communicating an idea.
4. Misplaced modifiers. These are adjectives, phrases, or clauses that are in the wrong part of the
sentence. Misplaced modifiers result in illogical or awkward sentences.
5. Spelling errors. Try not to worry about spelling errors. Good spelling is important because it
shows you have some mastery over the language.
6. Punctuation. Failing to use commas and semi-colons properly is a common problem.

TYPES OF WRITTEN DISCOURSES

DESCRIPTIVE A descriptive paragraph aims to provide vivid details about a person,

place, or thing, using sensory language to create a clear image in the
reader's mind. It focuses on describing the appearance,
characteristics, and sensory impressions of the subject.

NARRATIVE A narrative paragraph tells a story or recounts events, often in

chronological order. It typically includes characters, settings, plot
elements, and sometimes dialogue, aiming to engage the reader by
creating a sense of movement and progression.

EXPOSITORY An expository paragraph presents information, explains a topic, or

defines a concept. It aims to provide facts, details, and explanations
in a clear and organized manner, often using examples, comparisons,
or evidence to support the main idea.

ARGUMENTATIVE An argumentative paragraph presents a claim or opinion on a

controversial issue and provides reasons, evidence, and logic to
persuade the reader to agree with the writer's viewpoint. It often
includes counterarguments and refutations to strengthen the
argument.

PERSUASIVE A persuasive paragraph aims to convince the reader to take a specific

action or adopt a particular belief or opinion. It presents arguments,
appeals to emotions or logic, and may include calls to action to
encourage the reader to act or think in a certain way.

Resources:

https://www.vedantu.com/english/paragraph-writing

https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/
WL11_descriptive_paragraphs.html

https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/
WL12_narrative_paragraphs.html
https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/
WL13_expository_paragraphs.html
https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/
WL15_problems_with_writing.html
 MARIANO MARCOS STATE
UNIVERSITY
College of Teacher Education

Engl. 01: ENGLISH FOR TEACHERS

Chapter 5: Sentence Construction and Paragraph Writing
Paragraph Writing
Peer-Evaluation

I. A. Individual Activity: Write a short argumentative/persuasive essay about any of the

following topics:
1. What is the biggest challenge faced by students nowadays?
2. Teachers Vs. Parents: who plays a bigger role in shaping a child?
3. Should students be allowed to evaluate their teachers?

Criteria for Scoring a Persuasive/Argumentative Essay : 25 points

1. Engagement (0-3)
1 Point: The essay fails to capture the reader's interest and lacks entertaining elements.
2 Points: The essay sporadically engages the reader but lacks consistency in holding their
attention.
3 Points: The essay consistently captivates the reader with entertaining content, humor, or
engaging stories.
2. Organization and Structure (0-5 points):
1 Point: The essay lacks a clear structure and is disorganized.
c
4-5 Points: The essay is well-structured, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, making
it easy for the reader to follow.

3. Sentence Variety (0-6 points):

1 Point: The essay predominantly uses one type of sentence structure, lacking variety.
2-4 Points: The essay includes some sentence variety but lacks consistency or creativity.
5-6 Points: The essay effectively uses a wide range of sentence structures, creating a dynamic
and engaging flow.

4. Clarity and Coherence (0-3 points):

1 Point: The essay is unclear, with jumbled ideas and incoherent sentences.
2 Points: The essay is somewhat clear but lacks smooth transitions and coherence.
3 Points: The essay is exceptionally clear and coherent, with smooth transitions between ideas,
and sentence variety enhances overall clarity.

5. Use of Descriptive Language (0-3 points):

1 Point: The essay lacks vivid and descriptive language, failing to engage the reader's senses and
imagination.
2 Points: The essay has some descriptive language but lacks depth and creativity.
3 Points: The essay employs vivid and imaginative descriptive language, creating a sensory
experience for the reader.
6. Humor and Creativity (0-5 points):
1 Point: The essay lacks humor and creative elements.
2-3 Points: The essay attempts humor and creativity but falls short in delivering engaging and
humorous content.
4-5 Points: The essay is genuinely humorous and creative, incorporating engaging anecdotes and
witty storytelling.