Functional English

CREDIT 3 (3-0)

Lecture On
Paragraph Writing

Muhammad Saddam
M.Phil. English
Topic: Paragraph writing
Outline

• Introduction

• Principles of Paragraph

• Paragraph organization

• Examples

• Types of Paragraph

• General Tips

• Loose and Periodic Sentences

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Introduction
•A paragraph is a number of sentences grouped together and relating to one
topic; or, a group of related sentences that develop a single point.
• Sentences of a paragraph explain the writer's main idea (most important idea) about a
topic.
• A group of sentences discussing one topic of distinct features of a topic if the topic is
complex.
•A paragraph makes the reading easier and comprehensible.
• In academic writing, a paragraph is often between five and ten sentences long, but it
can be longer or shorter, depending on the topic . The first sentence of a paragraph is
usually indented (moved in) a few spaces.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Principles of Paragraph

UNITY:-
• The first and most important principle to be observed in constructing a paragraph is
that of Unity. Just as each sentence deals with one thought, each paragraph must deal
with one topic or idea- and with no more than one.
• And every sentence in the paragraph must be closely connected with the main topic
of the paragraph.
•The paragraph and every part of it must be the expression of one theme or topic.
•When the sentences of a paragraph are held together because of their intimate
relation to the central idea, their oneness purpose gives unity to the paragraph

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Principles of Paragraph
• ORDER:-
• The second principle of paragraph construction is Order - that is, logical sequence
of thought or development of the subject. Events must be related in the order of
their occurrence, and all ideas should be connected with the leading idea and
arranged according to their importance or order.
• The sentences that make up a paragraph must follow one another in a natural and
logical order.
VARIETY:-
• A third principle of paragraph construction is Variety; by which is meant that, to
avoid monotony, the paragraph of composition should be of different lengths, and
not always of the same sentence construction.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Paragraph Organization
A paragraph has three basic parts:
1. The topic sentence.
• This is the main idea of the paragraph.
• It is usually the first sentence of the paragraph, and it is the most general sentence
of the paragraph.
• It gives the writer's main idea or opinion about the topic and helps the reader
understand what the paragraph is going to talk about.
• It acts like a Thesis Statement.
• It needs to talk about the manner.
2. The supporting sentences.
• These are sentences that talk about or explain the topic sentence.
• They are more detailed ideas that follow the topic sentence.
• They contain facts, examples and details.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Paragraph Organization

3. The concluding sentence.

• This may be found as the last sentence of a paragraph.

• It can finish a paragraph by repeating the main idea or just giving a final comment
about the topic.
• It sums up the main points or restates the main idea in a different way.
• A sentence that sums up the paragraph reminds the reader of what the writer's main
idea an supporting points were.
• A sentence that restates the main idea should give the same information in a slightly
different way, perhaps by using different words or by using different word order.
• A concluding sentence should not introduce a new point.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Examples

Switzerland - Something interesting at Every Turn

By Ken]ones
If you dream of travelling to a country with beautiful mountains, delicious food, wonderful places to go sightseeing
and polite people, you should visit Switzerland. Switzerland has many mountains, including some of the highest in
Europe. Climbing or skiing clown the mountains is great fun. Another thing you will notice is that Switzerland shares
its borders with five different countries: France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. In fact, there are four
official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Roman sch. All these group s of people make Swiss
culture very interesting. Finally, Switzerland has many cities and interesting places t o visit. Cities such as Bern have
modern buildings like the Paul Klee Zentrum, yet the tradition al alpine refuges in the mountains show that the
country's old traditions are still alive. All the people, places and things to see definitely make Switzerland a great
place for a holiday.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

"Poetry is the language of the imagination and the passions. It relates to whatever gives
immediate pleasure or pain to the human mind. It comes home to the bosoms and
businesses of men; for nothing but what comes home to them in the most general and
intelligible shape can be a subject for poetry. Poetry is the universal language which the
heart holds with nature and itself. He who has a contempt for poetry cannot have much
respect for himself, or for anything else. Wherever there is a sense of beauty, or power, or
harmony, as in the motion of a wave of the sea, in the growth of a flower, there is poetry
in its birth."
- William Hazjitt.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Types of Paragraph

Description: When we give an account of appearance of things, we produce description. It represents persons,
things, scenes, feelings, characters etc, as they appear to our senses or minds. When words are employed to
represent what the eye sees, the ear hears and so on, we are said to describe. In a descriptive paragraph the
chief aim is to give a picture of the scenes or an object described. A writer should penetrate beneath the
exterior and see things with their mind’s eye. For instance, while writing on a postman you say that the
postman wears khaki clothes and turban and brings letters and money-orders. You must try to understand
his feelings, his attitude to things; you must get inside the letter bag so that to speak and see the contents of
the messages he carries with him.
Narrative: When we give an account of a sequence of events or happenings we produce a narrative. When
there is only a single set of events, the narrative is said to be simple. When there are various events and
happenings simultaneously or at different times and these events are linked together, we get a compound
narrative. Bear it in mind that Narrative and description often go together; in fact it is very difficult to have
pure narrative or pure description. When we write a narrative paragraph we make use of description, vice
versa.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Types of Paragraph
Argumentative: When we establish the truth or falsify a statement or idea, or give reasons for doing a certain thing,
what we produce is argument. It is often necessary to establish some truth, to reason that something should be
done, to induce others to believe or act as we do. We should begin an argument with an exact and clear statement
of our aim, so that those whom we wish to influence may not be in any uncertainty about meaning. Next, we
should put forward our arguments, with the grounds for holding them and then consider and refute the arguments
of our opponents. Finally, we close by enforcing our view. If, however, instead of advocating one side, we are acting
in the capacity of an impartial judge. We should set forth one view with all that can be said for and against it; and
then the other side with similar fullness. If we can, we should end by indicating which is the better view.
Expository: Exposition simply means explanation. Its function is to make clear the meaning of a statement or idea or
proposition. Exposition is to elucidate the statement in different words in a simpler and clearer form. The essence
of exposition is simplicity and clearness. In exposition, we simply unfold the meaning of something; in argument we
go a step further and try to show it is right or wrong. “ Absence makes the heart grow fonder” is an old saying.
When we explain the meaning of it and show how absence makes a person or thing more desirable we give an
exposition of the proverb. But when we discuss whether absence really makes the heart grow fonder, whether it is
not also true that a thing or person out of sight is often out of mind, we have an argument on the subject.

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Topic: Paragraph Writing

General Tips
Short Sentences:
It is better to use short sentences than long ones. A long sentence lays itself open to errors of syntax which a short sentence
escapes. For the same reason, the introduction of parentheses should be avoided, which, with a young writer, often lead to obscurity.
Form a clear idea in your own mind of what you have to say, and compose a sentence in your head before attempting to commit it to
paper. Clearness of thought generally ensures clearness of expression

Connectives:
Do not join your sentences by the monotonous use of and and so, but employ appropriate connectives.
Notice how the italicised connectives help forward the argument in the following passage:-
It is not easy to cultivate a sense of judging others; still, judge we must, because the purposes of life require it. We have,
however, more and better materials, sometimes, than we are aware of; nor must we imagine that they are always deep-seated and
recondite; indeed they often lie upon the surface. For the primary character of a man is specially discernible in trifles, since he acts then,
as it were almost unconsciously.

Echo words:
Another method of joining sentences together to repeat in the next Sentence a word or an idea contained in the preceding.
Take the following passage:-
“Wellington's army was at that time inferior in numbers to the army of the enemy. At that time, for the Prussian forces had not yet arrived
upon the field of Waterloo. Their delay was due to the length of their march northwards from Ligny on the 17 th .”

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Topic: Paragraph Writing

Loose and Periodic Sentences

Loose and Periodic Sentences:

Sentences, as regards their structure, are of two kinds, the loose sentence and the periodic sentence. In the
loose sentence the main thought is placed first, and subordinate details come afterwards. In the periodic sentence, the
qualifications precede the main statement, which is reserved to the last. By this means the reader’s attention is roused and
held in suspense till the leading idea is stated. The loose structure is used in conversation and has the advantage of
simplicity, but is sometimes wanting in clearness. The periodic structure is more literary and generally more forcible, but
should not be used in excess, so as to make the style monotonous or pedantic. In the following example, the student will
observe that the periodic order is more effective than the loose order.

Loose: He was full of grand schemes, but he never succeeded in carrying them out,
Periodic: Though he was full of grand schemes, he never succeeded in carrying them out.

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Topic: Paragraph writing

Questions/Answers

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