DEFINING PARAGRAPHS

A paragraph is a group of sentences that deals with one particular idea. Paragraphs are defined by the
point that they support, the controlling idea, and not just by how long they are. This is the fundamental
rule in writing paragraphs: only one idea should be discussed per paragraph. Put together, paragraphs
are used as building blocks in organizing longer pieces of text into prose. They basically function in order
to introduce a new idea, develop an old one, compare and contrast information, or provide readers with
a pause.

Identifying the Parts of a Paragraph: The Topic Sentence

To compose a paragraph effectively, you should be familiar with its parts: the topic sentence and
supporting details.

A topic sentence tells the reader the main idea of your paragraph. It reveals what you generally plan to
propose, argue, or explain. When it is part of a longer essay, the topic sentence contains a main point
that supports the thesis statement. Think of the topic sentence as a mini thesis statement for the
paragraph.

The topic sentence can be found anywhere in the paragraph: in the beginning, at the end, or in the
middle. It is usually a good practice to include the topic sentence near the start of the paragraph so your
readers have an idea of what you are talking about early on.

A topic sentence can be explicit, or clearly states the ideas that will be elaborated on in the paragraph.
The previous paragraph makes use of an explicit topic sentence, which plainly reveals to the reader what
the paragraph will be about.

Identifying the Parts of a Paragraph: Supporting Details

Every paragraph need supporting details to elaborate on the topic sentence. These supporting details
may range from facts, examples, or instances. Good supporting details expound on the main idea and
act as adequate support; they are specific and stem from the general idea established by the topic
sentence. How much detail you should include in a paragraph depends on your purpose and the topic
sentence.

MAKING YOUR PARAGRAPHS EFFECTIVE

Now that you have identified the parts of the paragraph, the following characteristics will help you
develop your paragraph into more effective [Link] first characteristic of an effective paragraph is
unity. Unity simply means that all of the sentences in the paragraph are related to the topic sentence.
The whole paragraph should begin and end with one focus only. Each of the details should have a clear
and consistent connection to the topic sentence. Read the following sample paragraph, the paragraph
lacks unity because the underlined point does not support the main idea.

The second characteristic of an effective paragraph is adequate development. The topic sentence in
the paragraph should be elaborated on using concrete evidence, different examples, relevant facts, and
specific details. Having specific details helps your readers become interested in your topic, understand
your message, and convince them of the validity of your topic sentence.

The third characteristic of an effective paragraph is coherence. This means that the sentences are
arranged in a logical manner, making them easily understood by the reader. Coherence is achieved
when ideas flow smoothly within and between paragraphs. Your paragraph can become more coherent
through the use of logical order and signal devices.

First, the details of a paragraph can be organized according to chronological, spatial, or emphatic order.
When a paragraph's arrangement is in chronological order, the details are arranged in the order in
which they happened. Meanwhile, spatial arrangement is when the sentences of a paragraph are
arranged according to geographical location, such as left to right, up to down, etc. Finally, emphatic
order is when the information found in a paragraph is arranged to emphasize certain points depending
on the writer's purpose.

Next, you can also achieve coherent paragraphs through the use of signal devices, or words that give
readers an idea of how the points in your paragraph are progressing. The following are examples of
signal devices:

1. Transitions (these are words and phrases that connect one idea to another)

a. Time (first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after, earlier, simultaneously, finally,
next, in the meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile, now, subsequently, etc.)

b. Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first, second, third, besides,
additionally,etc.)

c. Space (above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.)

d. Illustration (for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to illustrate, etc.)

e. Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison, too, etc.)

f. Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although, on the contrary,
otherwise, conversely, etc.)

g. Cause and Effect (because, as a result, consequently, then. so, since, etc.)

h. Conclusion (thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.)

2. Repetitions (repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and highlight important ideas)

3. Synonyms (these are words similar in meaning to important words or phrases that prevent tedious
repetitions)

4. Pronouns (words that connect readers to the original word that the pronouns replace)

5. Parallelism (using similar sentence structures).