University Institute of Liberal

Arts and Humanities

Course Name: Communication Skills
Course Code: 20UCT-141/191
Faculty: Ms Gargi Verma

PARAGRAPH WRITING DISCOVER . LEARN . EMPOWER

 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The Course aims to:

Augment students overall communication and interpersonal skills

1 by making them realize the importance of good oral and written
English Language in professional life.

Enrich their reading capability with special emphasis on expanding

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vocabulary and grammatical formations.
Build exceptional reading and writing skills by correcting
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grammatical errors and pronunciation through practice.
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 COURSE
OUTCOMES • Space for visual (size 24)
On completion, the students are expected to
CO Title Level
Number
CO1 Produce correct contextual written Apply
text and speech in a wide range of
communication situations.
CO2 Write original short compositions, in
the form of paragraph writing, Analyse
business correspondence, blogs
etc. through logical support and
argument.
CO3 Demonstrate linguistic competence Apply
through accuracy in grammar,
pronunciation and vocabulary.
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 WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

• It is a series of sentences
which are related to a topic or
an idea.
• These sentences are
coherent, organized and
develop the main topic or idea.
• A paragraph is usually 5 to 10
sentences long or a half page.

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 A PARAGRAPH

• Is a part of longer
composition, like a
miniature essay.

• Shows well organized

content.

• Has a thematic unity.

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COMPONENTS OF A PARAGRAPH

• The Topic sentence

• Supporting details

• Closing sentence

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 THE TOPIC SENTENCE
• It is the introductory
sentence.
• It has the controlling idea
and tells the reader what the
paragraph is about.
• It must be a complete
sentence.

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 SUPPORTING DETAILS

• They provide information

to support the topic
sentence.

• It can be a definition,
explanation or an
example.

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 CLOSING SENTENCE

• It is the concluding
sentence which
summarizes the main
idea and feeling of the
paragraph.

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 POLL QUESTION 1
Which of these is true for a topic sentence?
1. A topic sentence can be incomplete.
2. Everything in the paragraph is tied back to the topic sentence
3. A topic sentence can never be a question.
4. A topic sentence and closing sentence are the same.

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 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
There are 4 fundamental elements which make an effective
paragraph. These are as follows:

• UNITY
• COHERENCE
• ORDER
• COMPLETENESS

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 UNITY
• Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence which
describes the central idea of the paragraph.
• A paragraph has unity when all the supporting sentences
support the central idea, that means sentences are unified to
the topic.
• It means oneness, that is the entire paragraph should focus on
one single idea.
• This way a thematic unity is developed.

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 COHERENCE
• Coherence means maintaining the logical glue in the paragraph.
• The supporting sentences are in logical order.
• This order is created by using appropriate transition words.
• The logical flow is created in the paragraph when one idea
leads to the another.
• Paragraph becomes comprehensible.

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 POLL QUESTION 2
What do you think of the word COHERENCE?

1. Hold together
2. No sudden jumps and each sentence should flow smoothly
into the next one.
3. The movement from one sentence to the next must be logical
and smooth.
4. All of the above.

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 ORDER

• It is achieved by systemizing the supporting sentences.

• The sentences in the paragraph should be put in a particular
order, for example, a sequential order, while sustaining the idea.
• Develops well organized content.
• Organized sentences clears the central idea to the reader.

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 COMPLETENESS
• A complete paragraph provides complete information and
states clearly the central idea.
• Information is provided with the use of examples, details and
answering the possible WH questions.
• A complete well-developed paragraph has the topic sentence
which is followed by at least three supporting sentences and a
closing sentence.
• The closing sentence reinforces the topic sentence.

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TRANSITION WORDS

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 POLL QUESTION 3

Why do we need to learn unity and coherence techniques?

1. To increase words during the process of writing an essay.
2. To make paragraphs logical and clear with certain topics.
3. To show your vocabulary and language skills.
4. To attract your reader’s attention.

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 SAMPLE
Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. First,
Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have
access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second,
Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by
well‐trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at
university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently
managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for
people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

THE TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING DETAILS CLOSING SENTENCE

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 QUIZ
TRUE OR FALSE?
• A paragraph always contains one main idea.
• The main idea is reflected in the topic.
• The topic sentence is developed into a paragraph.
• Besides the topic sentence, a paragraph normally consists of
supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.
• The topic sentence and the closing sentence of the paragraph
must be same.

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 QUIZ
TRUE OR FALSE?
• A paragraph always contains one main idea. TRUE
• The main idea is reflected in the topic. TRUE
• The topic sentence is developed into a paragraph. TRUE
• Besides the topic sentence, a paragraph normally consists
of supporting sentences and a concluding sentence. TRUE
• The topic sentence and the closing sentence of the
paragraph must be same. FALSE

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 PRACTICE SET
• Given below is the profile of Rabindranath Tagore. Write a
paragraph using the clues given below :
Known in Bengal as: GURUDEV
Birth: 7TH MAY,1861
Parents: Debendranath Tagore and Sarala Devi
Occupation: Writer, Painter, Singer
Notable works: Gitanjali, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindranath Sangeet,
Amar Sonar Bangla etc.

Award: Nobel Prize for literature in 1913

Death: 7th August 1941

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 DETAILED ANSWER
Rabindranath Tagore, also known as Guru dev in Bengal, was
born on 7th May 1861. His father’s name was Debendranath
Tagore and mother’s name was Sarla Devi. He was a writer,
painter and a singer. His notable works are Gitanjali, Jana Gana
Mana, Rabindra Sangeet, Amar Sonar Bangla etc. He was
awarded Nobel Prize for literature in 1913. This great man died
on 7th August 1941.

(FOCUS ON SEQUENCE OF POINTS AND ACCURACY OF

LANGUAGE)

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 TRY THEM
Write a paragraph, using the clues given below. You may add
some more if necessary:
1.In a distant village - farmer - a magical hen - one golden egg -
every day - the richest man - He thought - lazy hen - greedy and
impatient - thought of an idea - take out all the eggs - big knife -
cut
her stomach - no eggs - hen died - moral.
2.Twelve fools start on a journey - cross a river - count
themselves - one man lost - a passer by offers help - gives each
a blow on the back - they count twelve strokes - satisfied - moral.

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 APPLICATIONS

• Effective writing skills will help students in creating quality

technical documents, project reports, research papers.

• It will also help them in clear expression of thoughts.

• Effective writing skills establishes competence to relate both

spoken and written English to a wide range of communication
situation
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 Assessment Pattern
Students are assessed on the basis of the following
parameters:
• Hourly Tests - 2
• Assignments
• Surprise Test
• Quiz
• Student Engagement
• End Semester Exam

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 REFRENCES
• https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/paragraphs/
• https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/paragraphs/
E-BOOKS:
WRITING FOR SUCCESS
• https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/6-2-effective-me
ans-for-writing-a-paragraph/
VIDEO LINKS:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1J9ZPVydrc

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THANK YOU

For queries
Email: communicationskills.uilah@gmail.com