The paragraph is a series of sentences

developing one topic.

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 The Topic Sentence

• The topic of a paragraph is

stated in one sentence. This is
called the topic sentence.

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 The rest of the paragraph consists
of sentences that develop or main
i de a
explain the main
• idea.
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
conclu
d in to prove that they are the most
senten g indestructible of pests.
ce

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 Developing a Paragraph
AAttoopic
picsseennttence
m ence
maayybbee
ddeevveelop
lopeedd
bbyyggivin
ivingg p icc
eexxaam t
o o
p i
c e mpplleess.. AAt em m ayy
e n t e n ce a
• A topic s n teennc
e d sseent eveellooppeedd
e d e v e l o p b e dev ng
d
ma y b .
b e
y t
e ell liing
g d e t a i l s bby t n
b y g i v i n aan t
n ciidd eennt
iinc

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 Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.

main idea
sent
ence
e nc e
sent
senten
c e
n c e
s ente

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 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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 Coherence
Coherence in
in aa Paragraph
Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have
a clear and logical relation to each other.

• Put details or examples or 4

incidents in logical order. 2
3

chronological
1
in relation to each other
in order of importance
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 Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
Transition words
chronological objects in relation to in order of
order one another 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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 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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