MODULE Study and Thinking Skills

CHAPTER 4: The Paragraph

Objectives:

a.) Write an effective paragraph

b.) Use the corresponding transitional markers in connecting sentences.

A paragraph is a group of sentences that fleshes out a

single idea. In order for a paragraph to be effective, it must
begin with a topic sentence, have sentences that support
the main idea of that paragraph, and maintain a consistent
flow.
An Effective Paragraph
• presents a single idea
• begins with a topic sentence that makes this single idea
evident
• contains support in form of sentences that convey this single idea
• is strategically organized to maintain flow
• maintains your essay’s objective
• informs and entertains your reader about your paper’s overall idea.
Note: different disciplines have different requirements of what a well-written paragraph
may entail. You should always consult your professor before beginning any writing
assignment.
The parts of a paragraph normally include:

 The Topic Sentence

o The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It is
introductory, meaning it should not include details, rather, it should
introduce the main idea which will be supported by the rest of your
paragraph.
 The Supporting Sentences
o This is where the detailed sentences go to support the main idea in
the topic sentence.
 The Transition Sentence
o This is where the writer relates the ideas in the current paragraph to what
is coming in the next. Transition words like "next," "however," "first,"
"second," and "in addition" are useful.

Page 1
 MODULE Study and Thinking Skills

o Paragraph hooks - which are finding a keyword or phrase in the current paragraph
and "hooking" or linking it to a similar word or phrase in the next - can also be useful.

Qualities of an Effective Paragraph

Effective paragraph writing is also an interactive conversational exchange–it occurs
between the writer and the reader. It is important to stay on topic, so the reader can
follow your way of thinking. So, what are the qualities of a good paragraph?

 A paragraph should be unified around a main point. The main point should be
clear to the reader.
 Generally, state the main point of a paragraph in the topic sentence. The topic is
usually found in the first line of the paragraph.
 The remaining sentences in the paragraph must relate to the topic sentence.
Elements of Effective Paragraph
There are four essential elements that an effective paragraph should consistently
contain:

1. A Clear Topic Sentence

2. Unity
3. Good Paragraph Development
4. Coherence with Clear Transition Markers
A Clear Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is the most important part of your paragraph; it tells the reader the
general idea of your paragraphs and should essentially “hook” them into wanting to
read more! The topic sentence helps to provide a “general summary” for your
paragraph. A reader should encounter the topic sentence and have a general idea of
what the paragraph will continue to discuss.

Unity
Unity refers to the singleness or “oneness” of purpose. All the detail sentences clearly
point to or support the topic sentence. In order for a paragraph to maintain a sense of
unity, the paragraph must focus solely on a single idea, point, or argument that is
being discussed. Therefore, the paragraph should not begin to stray and develop new
ideas. If you begin to write sentence that wander from the paragraph’s main idea, then it
is time to start a new paragraph.

Good Paragraph Development

Now that your paragraph has a topic, it is essential that this topic be sufficiently
developed. Do not limit yourself to a set number of sentences. Yes, your paragraph
Page 2
 MODULE Study and Thinking Skills

should not be too short or too long, but it should be an appropriate length to flesh out
the entirety of your paragraph’s idea. A reader should not be left with questions after a
sufficiently development paragraph. In order to achieve this, you can provide examples,
cite work, provide necessary definitions, describe, analyze, and organize your ideas.
Support and evidence provided by the writer can be explained in different ways, These
details can be provided by giving or using:

1. Narration – narrating or telling a story

2. Description – painting something or someone by use of words
3. Comparison – showing how two subjects are similar
4. Contrast – pointing out how two subjects are different from each other
5. Example – providing illustrations or representatives of an idea or topic
6. Classification – organizing or grouping together subjects with the same qualities
or characteristics
7. Division – taking out a part from the whole to fully discuss or emphasize how the
part is integral to the whole
8. Definition – giving the meaning of a term, idea, or concept
9. Process analysis – telling how something is achieved or came to be; or telling
how to do something
10. Cause and effect – showing reasons/results of a phenomena/process

Coherence with Clear Transition Markers

Coherence is more commonly referred to as
the flow of your writing. When a paragraph
flows, the reader will be able to understand
the main idea that you have presented. How
can you ensure that your paragraph maintains
a flow? Well, after presenting your main idea
in your topic sentence, each sentence
following must build upon each other in an
organized manner. After writing your
paragraph, go back and read aloud what you
have written to make sure your ideas are
clearly presented. If they are, you have
developed a coherent paragraph!

Coherence means all the sentences and ideas in the paragraph flow smoothly together
to make clear and logical points about the topic. Coherence can be achieved through
the use of:

Page 3
 MODULE Study and Thinking Skills

1. A natural or easily recognized order

 Time Order (Chronological) – arranging details or sentences as they happen
according to time; usually used in writing narratives
 Space / Direction Order (Spatial) – arranging evidence in relation to space,
direction or location
 Importance Order (Emphasis) – arranging details in order of importance or
emphasis
 Step-by-Step (Sequential or Procedural) – arranging information according to
numbers.

2. Transition Words and Phrases – used to show the connection from one sentence
to another, or to signal a new train of thoughts. Some common transitions:
 For continuing a common line of reasoning: consequently, clearly, then,
furthermore, additionally, and, in addition, because, besides that, in the same
way, also, in the light of…
 To change the line of reasoning: however, on the other hand, but, yet,
nevertheless, on the contrary
 For the final points of a paragraph or essay: finally, lastly
 Transitional chains: to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is
arranged chronologically such as:
 first, second, third…
 generally, furthermore, finally…
 in the first place, also, lastly/finally…
 in the first place, just in the same way, finally…
 basically, similarly, as well as…
 To signal conclusion: therefore, this, hence, in conclusion, indeed
 To restate a point within a paragraph in another way or in a more exacting
way: after, afterwards, as soon as, at first, at last, before, before long, finally, in
the first place, in the meantime, later, meanwhile, next, soon, then

3. Repetition of Key Words – important words or phrases (and their synonyms) may
be repeated throughout a paragraph to connect the thoughts into a coherent statement.

4. Substitution of Pronouns for Key Nouns – use a key noun in one sentence and
then use a pronoun in its place in the following sentences. When using pronouns
consider the nouns to be replace by checking the nouns’:
 number – is the noun to be substituted singular of plural

Page 4
 MODULE Study and Thinking Skills

 function in the sentence – is the noun to be replaced use as a possessive, a

subject, or object
 gender – is the noun to be replaced a male, a female, a common noun or a
neuter
 person – is the noun to be replaced in the first, second, or third person.
5. Parallelism – use of the same grammatical structure in several sentences to
establish coherence. The use of similar phrasing helps tie ideas and sentences
together.

For More Knowledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMRTtUrSFOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_R8C45KcEQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keBFpEdiVVU

Reference:
https://www.monmouth.edu/resources-for-writers/documents/paragraphs.pdf/

Tutoring and Writing Services. (n.d.) Paragraphs. Monmouth University.

Driscoll, Dana Lynn & Brizee, Allen. (2015). OWL at Purdue University.
Accessed on July 28, 2017 at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/606/01/
McCloud-Bondoc, Linda. (n.d.) Writing Effective Paragraphs. Accessed on July
28, 2017 at http://write-
site.athabascau.ca/documentation/Sample%20of%20a%20coherent%20paragraph
.pdf
Page 5