MODULE: OLBPENGL01A : Study & Thinking Skills in English

CHAPTER 4: The Paragraph

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 th e 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.
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 MODULE: OLBPENGL01A : Study & Thinking Skills in English
➢ 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.
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 th at 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 should not be too short or too long, but it

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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:
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
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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
✓ 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.

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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-