The Paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences that expresses a single idea.   It is a basic subdivision of an essay.

There are three types of paragraphs, introductory, body and concluding.

1. The introductory paragraph introduces the central idea or thesis of the essay.   Example from poverty essay.

2. The body (transitional) paragraphs develop the thesis.   They can do this in several ways:

a. Chronological: present items as they happen over time.

b. Spatial: present items in relationships within a place or setting.

c. Importance: present items in a hierarchy or ranking.

d. Cause & effect: present items as reason and result, motive and reaction, stimulus and response.

e. Compare & contrast: measure items against one another to show how they are alike and how they are different.

Body paragraphs should end with transitional sentences that make it easier for the reader to move from one paragraph to the other and still retain his/her focus on the thesis.   Example from essay on poverty.

3. The concluding paragraph echoes the thesis by repeating it in another way.   It drives the thesis home and perhaps suggests its significance.   For an example, refer to the last paragraph from the essay on poverty.   It may also introduce a new chapter in a report or book.

Paragraph Structure.

1. topic sentence ("thesis") in the introductory paragraph*
2. substance
3. sentence arrangement
4. sentence transition
5. paragraph transition

*This is true for informative and persuasive (argumentative) essays.   The topic sentence usually is omitted in narrative, descriptive and entertaining essays.

1. Topic or transition sentence: Each paragraph has a topic sentence that usually is the first sentence of the paragraph.   The topic sentence tells what the paragraph is about and directly or indirectly suggests the points you will make about that topic.   Alternately, the transition sentence indicates the direction the paragraph is to take.

2. Substance: Details, examples, comparisons, contrasts, typical instances that illustrate the topic sentence.

3. Sentence Arrangement: Sentences organized to explain the topic sentence.

4. Sentence Transition: Use linking words, antecedent pronouns and repetition to indicate sentence connections.

5. Paragraph Transition: Use linking words, antecedent pronouns and repetition to introduce the following paragraph.

Characteristics of a well-written paragraph:

- A paragraph has unity when all sentences work together toward a single goal or thought.

- A paragraph is coherent when the sentences proceed in a logical and understandable manner to make their relationships clear.

- A paragraph is well-developed when it provides details that explain and illustrate the paragraph’s idea.

- A paragraph has emphasis when it directs the reader’s attention to most important sentences rather than toward less important ones.

- A paragraph has no fixed length, but it is not too long.

- It has correct grammar.

- It is neat.

Check the introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs in this essay on poverty to determine if the author has followed his advice and admonishments.   If not, email your corrections and advise him to practice what he preaches!