What is a paragraph

1. The paragraph is a series of sentences
developing
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one topic.

2. The Topic Sentence
• The topic of a paragraph is
stated in one sentence. This is
called the topic sentence.
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3. The rest of the paragraph consists
of sentences that develop or
main
explain the main idea.
idea
•
conclu
di n
senten g
ce
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Through the centuries rats
have managed to survive all our
efforts to destroy them. We
have poisoned them and trapped
them. We have fumigated,
flooded, and burned them. We
have tried germ warfare. Some
rats even survived atomic bomb
tests conducted on Entwetok
atoll in the Pacific after World
War II. In spite of all our
efforts, these enemies of ours
continue to prove that they are
the most indestructible of pests.

4. Developing a Paragraph
e n ten c e
A topic s
•
vel op e d
ay be de
m
details.
y giving
b
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A tto ic
A op icsent
p sent nce
eence
may be
may be
deeveop
d vellop d
eed
by givin
by givin
g
eexam le g
xamp s
ples.
.
topic y
Atopic ma
A
y
e
ncemaed
n
sente c elop d
sente ev lope
d
bedeve lling
be
el g
ytte in
b
by n
a
an t
n
ident
ncide
n
ii c

5. Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.
main idea
s ent
e
tenc
sen
e
enc
t
sen
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senten
c
ence
e

6. The concluding or
clincher sentence
• Restate the topic sentence in different words.
• A clincher sentence or concluding sentence
clinches the point made in the paragraph.
• It summarizes the paragraph.
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7. Coherence in a Paragraph
Coherence in a Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have
a clear and logical relation to each other.
• Put details or examples or
incidents in logical order.
chronological
in relation to each other
in order of importance
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4
3
2
1

8. Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
Transition words
chronological
order
objects in relation to
one another
in order of
importance
first
next to
however
meanwhile
in front of
furthermore
later
beside
as a result
afterwards
between
in fact
finally
behind
yet
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9. Types of Paragraphs
• The narrative paragraph
• tells a story
• The persuasive paragraph.
• tries to convince the audience
• The descriptive paragraph
• describes something
• The expository or explanatory paragraph
• gives information or explains something
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10. Types of Paragraphs
• The narrative paragraph
• tells a story
• The persuasive paragraph.
• tries to convince the audience
• The descriptive paragraph
• describes something
• The expository or explanatory paragraph
• gives information or explains something
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