Paragraph Writing

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Step 6:
Look Over and Proofread: the last step in good paragraph writing is proofreading and revision. Before we submit our writing, look over our work at least one more time. Try reading our paragraph out loud to make sure it makes sense. Also, ask yourself these questions: • Does my paragraph answer the prompt and support my thesis?  Does it make sense? Does it use the appropriate academic voice?

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Step 5:
Conclude After illustrating our point with relevant information, add a concluding sentence. Concluding sentences link one paragraph to the next and provide another device for helping we ensure our paragraph is unified. While not all paragraphs include a concluding sentence, we should always consider whether one is appropriate. Concluding sentences have two crucial roles in paragraph writing: First, they draw together the information we have presented to elaborate our controlling idea by:  Summarizing the point(s) we have made.  Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence.  Using linking words that indicate that conclusions are being drawn (e.g., therefore, thus, resulting). Second, they often link the current paragraph to the following paragraph. They may anticipate the topic sentence of the next paragraph by:  Introducing a word/phrase or new concept which will then be picked up in the topic sentence of the next paragraph.  Using words or phrases that point ahead (e.g., the following, another, other).

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Step 4:
Give Our Paragraph Meaning After we have given the reader enough information to see and understand our point; we need to explain why this information is relevant, meaningful, or interesting. Ask yourself:  What does the provided information mean?  How does it relate to our overall point, argument, or thesis?  Why is this information important/significant/meaningful? • How does this information relate to the assignment or course I am taking?

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Step 3:
Demonstrate Our Point after stating our topic sentence, we need to provide information to prove, illustrate, clarify, and/or exemplify our point. Ask yourself:  What examples can I use to support my point? What information can I provide to help clarify my thoughts? • How can I support my point with specific data, experiences, or other factual material?  What information does the reader need to know in order to see my point? 

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Step 2:
Develop a Topic Sentence Before writing a paragraph, it is important to think first about the topic and then what we want to say about the topic. Most often, the topic is easy, but the question then turns to what we want to say about the topic. This concept is sometimes called the controlling idea. Strong paragraphs are typically about one main idea or topic, which is often explicitly stated in a topic sentence. Good topic sentences should always contain both (1) a topic and (2) a controlling idea. The topic – The main subject matter or idea covered in the paragraph. The controlling idea – This idea focuses the topic by providing direction to the composition.   

[Mustafizur rRhman]

How to Write a Good Paragraph: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing well composed academic paragraphs can be tricky. The following is a guide on how to draft, expand, refine, and explain our ideas so that we write clear, well-developed paragraphs and discussion posts:
Step 1:
Decide the Topic of our Paragraph Before we can begin writing, we need to know what we are writing about. First, look at the writing prompt or assignment topic. As we look at the prompt, note any key terms or repeated phrases because we will want to use those words in our response. Then ask yourself:  On what topic am I supposed to be writing?  What do I know about this topic already? • If I don’t know how to respond to this assignment, where can I go to find some answers? • What does this assignment mean to me? How do I relate to it? After looking at the prompt and doing some additional reading and research, we should better understand our topic and what we need to discuss.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Some Useful Transitions
 
To show addition:
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too
To give examples:
for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
To compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
To contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet
To summarize or conclude:
all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up
To show time:
after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while
To show place or direction:
above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)
To indicate logical relationship:
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Coherence
In a coherent paragraph, each sentence relates clearly to the topic sentence or controlling idea, but there is more to coherence than this. If a paragraph is coherent, each sentence flows smoothly into the next without obvious shifts or jumps. A coherent paragraph also highlights the ties between old information and new information to make the structure of ideas or arguments clear to the reader.
A number of other techniques that we can use to establish coherence in paragraphs are described below.
** Repeat key words or phrases. 
** Create parallel structures. 
** Be consistent in point of view, verb tense, and number. 
** Use transition words or phrases between sentences and between paragraphs. 

[Mustafizur rRhman]

 Concluding Sentence
   
   
   
It is important for students to know how to write a conclusion, whether to drive the final point home or to transition to the next point. The conclusion ties together everything mentioned in a paragraph. A conclusion may restate the claim in the topic sentence, but now it has all the supporting details behind it. Whether the conclusion reinforces the topic or leads into the following topic, a paragraph’s concluding sentence plays an important role.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Supporting Details
   
   
   
Without strong and vivid supporting details, it hardly matters what a great topic sentence a writer has created for a paragraph. It’s the supporting details, in the form of facts, descriptions, and examples, that back up the claim made in that sentence. The supporting details are important enough that we could think of them as the real meat of any paragraph.
Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the information discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling idea.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Topic sentences
A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence. A topic sentence has several important functions: it substantiates or supports an essay’s thesis statement; it unifies the content of a paragraph and directs the order of the sentences; and it advises the reader of the subject to be discussed and how the paragraph will discuss it. Readers generally look to the first few sentences in a paragraph to determine the subject and perspective of the paragraph. That’s why it’s often best to put the topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph. 
A topic sentence needs to grab readers’ attention in order to make them want to continue to read. The topic sentence should also give readers an idea of what’s to come. As if that ouren’t enough, the writer must make sure the topic sentence is well written and free of errors. Remember, what makes someone’s writing stand out isn’t always what they say, but also how they say it.
Body: follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, and other information.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Paragraph Structure
Most paragraphs in an essay have a three-part structure—introduction, body, and conclusion. We can see this structure in paragraphs whether they are narrating, describing, comparing, contrasting, or analyzing information. Each part of the paragraph plays an important role in communicating our meaning to our reader.
Introduction: the first section of a paragraph; should include the topic sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background information or provide a transition.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Types of paragraphs
There are four types of paragraphs that we need to know about: descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive. A quick search around the internet will yield other types, but to keep this simple, it's a good idea to consider just these four.
1.   The descriptive paragraph: This type of paragraph describes something and shows the reader what a thing or a person is like. The words chosen in the description often appeal to the five senses of touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste. Descriptive paragraphs can be artistic and may deviate from grammatical norms.
2.   The narrative paragraph: This type of paragraph tells a story. There's a sequence of action or there's a clear beginning, middle, and end to the paragraph.
3.   The expository paragraph: This type of paragraph explains something or provides instruction. It could also describe a process and move the reader step by step through a method. This type of paragraph often requires research, but it's possible that the writer is able to rely on his or her own knowledge and expertise.
4.   The persuasive paragraph: This type of paragraph tries to get the reader to accept a particular point of view or understand the writer's position. This is the type of paragraph that many teachers focus on because it's useful when building an argument. It often requires the collection of facts and research.

[Mustafizur rRhman]

Importance of Paragraph Writing
Paragraphs are used to help our reader follow the logic of our argument. They should not be too long (generally speaking, paragraphs that are longer than 3/4 of a page are probably too long) or too short (one or two sentence paragraphs probably haven't given our reader enough information).

[Mustafizur rRhman]

PARAGRAPHS
Definition: A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized and coherent, and are all related to a single topic.  Almost every piece of writing we do that is longer than a few sentences should be organized into paragraphs. ... Paragraphs can contain many different kinds of information. Paragraph is a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme.
Paragraphs can contain many different kinds of information. A paragraph could contain a series of brief examples or a single long illustration of a general point. It might describe a place, character, or process; narrate a series of events; compare or contrast two or more things; classify items into categories; or describe causes and effects. Regardless of the kind of information they contain, all paragraphs share certain characteristics. One of the most important of these is a topic sentence.