BHPI INSTITUTE

ENGLISH COMPOSITION
CHAPTER FOUR
PARAGRAPHS

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OBJECTIVES
 Students should
 Have a better idea about when to
paragraph
 Learn strategies for writing a unified
paragraph
 Better understand what makes a
coherent paragraph
 Learn methods for organizing paragraphs
 Learn about how transitions contribute to
a better paragraph
 Understanding the types of paragraphs

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Writing Paragraphs

 A paragraph can be one sentence but it is

usually a group of sentences about the same
topic.
 A distinct division of written or printed
matter that begins on a new, usually
indented line
 consists of one or more sentences, and
typically deals with a single thought or
topic or quotes one speaker's continuous
words.
 From Greek word, “paragraphos.” Means
a line showing a break in sense or a
change of speakers in a dialogue 3
 When to Paragraph
 Whenever you move from one major point to another
 Whenever you move your readers from one time period or
location to another.
 Whenever you introduce a new step in a process or
sequence.
 When you want to emphasize an important idea.

 Every time a new person speaks (dialogue).

 To signal the end of your introduction and the beginning of
your conclusion.

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How to Unify Paragraphs
 Develop a single idea.
 Use topic sentences that state the main
idea of the paragraph.*
 Other sentences should support the idea
expressed in the topic sentence.
 For support, use examples, data, or logical
progression.

*In some situations, you may not need a topic sentence. For
example: if a topic is covered over the course of 2
paragraphs. Or in some narrative or descriptive
paragraphs an explicit topic sentence may seem forced or
artificial.

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 Parts of the paragraph

The topic sentence

 The topic of a paragraph is often introduced by a key sentence. This is
usually called the ‘topic sentence’ and generally contains the main idea of
the paragraph.

Supporting sentences
 Provide more details and general information about the topic sentence.

Ending sentence
 This closes the paragraph. An ending sentence may repeat the topic in a
different way, or express what we think or how we feel about the topic

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Example:
Topic sentence

I enjoy going to college for

so many reasons.
You get to meet new people Supporting
and make friends. I find sentences
the subject I’m studying
quite challenging, but
interesting
I really enjoy it! End
sentence
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 Example:

Topic
The sport of football teaches self- sentence
discipline. This is shown by the players
being penalised for losing their temper
Supporting
or arguing with the referee. Learning sentence
self-control is an excellent thing for
any sportsman.
Ending
s being penalised for losing the or sentence
arguing with the referee. Learning self-
control is an excellent thing for any
sportsman.
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 Writing Coherent Paragraphs
 Organize paragraphs appropriately.
 Use transitional words and phrases
between paragraphs and sentences, if
necessary

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 Organizing Paragraphs

 Spatial order For example: top to bottom, near to far,

room to room, inside to outside. Generally used for
description.

 Chronological order or time sequence. Uses transitions

such as: at first, then, yesterday, and later. Generally
used for narrative, process, or procedure paragraphs.

 Logical order presents details or ideas in terms of their

logical relationships to one another. For example:
general to specific, specific to general, most important
to least important Generally used for analyzing or
developing an idea or argument.

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Paragraph Without Transitions
Buhodle is the home of the Somali
independence. It is the birth place of the
Darwish leader sayid Muhamad abdalle
Hassan in the area of samadeko. It is
where the great fighters of Darwish
movement like general Ismail Mire come
from. It is the home birth of the great
Somali peots like Ali dhuh,Adan Arab,
Salaan Arrabey, Omar Egal,Samatar
Bahnan e.t.c. it’s the home of great Somali
political leaders like Ahmed Adan Qaybe,Ali
Khalif Galayr e.t.c. it’s the only area where
the spirit of the great Somalia still exists .
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 Paragraph With Transitions
Buhodle is the home of the Somali independence.
Firstly It is the birth place of the Darwish leader sayid Muhamad
Abdalle Hassan in the area of samadeko.
secondly It is where the great fighters of Darwish movement like
general Ismail Mire come from and had lost thousands lives to
protect against the colonialists . moreover, It is the home birth of
the great Somali poets like Ali dhuh,Adan Arab, Salaan Arrabey,
Omar Egal, Samatar Bahnan, Hure walanwal and ambara Nuuh
e.t.c.
in adition it’s the home of great Somali political leaders like Ahmed
Adan Qaybe and Ali Khalif Galayr ( B.A.B.U.T ) to name a few.
On top of that the people of Buhodle did not take part in the Somali
civil war directly.
finally it’s the only area where the spirit of the great Somalia still
exists and people hope to see it come alive again.
In conclusion Buhodle is the home of the most modern Somali
history. 12
 Frequently Used Transitions
To Signify Sequence or Addition
again, also, besides, first . . .second . . .third, furthermore,
In addition, moreover, one . . . another, too

To Signal Time
afterward, as soon as, at first, at the same time, before, earlier,
finally, in the meantime, later, meanwhile, next, now, soon,
subsequently, then, until

To Signal Comparison
also, by the the same token, in comparison, likewise, similarily

To Signal Contrast
although, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, instead,
Meanwhile, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, on one hand . . .
on the other hand, still, whereas, yet, conversely

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 More Transitions

To Introduce Examples
for example, for instance, namely, specifically, thus

To Signal the Narrowing of Focus

after all, indeed, in fact, in other words, in particular, specifically, that is

To Introduce Conclusions or Summaries

as a result, consequently, in conclusion, in other words, in summary
therefore, thus, to conclude, finally

To Signal Concession to Another Perspective

admittedly, certainly, granted, naturally, of course

To Introduce Causes or Effects

accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, hence, since, so, then,
therefore

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Types of Paragraphs
 For our purposes, here are the basic
types of paragraphs:
 Narrative
 Exposition
 Descriptive
 Persuasive

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Narrative
 Tells a story
 Uses specific details
 Is not a mere listing of events- it
has characters, setting, conflict, and
resolution
 Time and place are usually established
 Usually chronologically organized

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 Exposition
 Informative/explanatory
 Can be included incidentally with
narrative or descriptive, but can also
stand alone.
 The challenge of writing an exposition
paragraph is your credibility – how do
I know that you know what you’re
talking about?
Answer: Citations! (from experts)

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 Description

 Series of detailed observations

 Usually not used by itself, but rather as
a part of a whole
 The challenge is to make it interesting
 Imagery
 Sensory details; five senses
 Similes, metaphors

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 Persuasive
 Uses direct approach
 “Believe me and do it!”
 Calls reader to action or to take a stand
on an important issue
 More than just opinion is needed;
information, analysis, and context must
be given to the reader to let him/her
make a decision

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