A paragraph is the minimum writing unit that explains and develops the meaning of an idea. A paragraph generally has three parts: the main sentence, the argumentative sentences, and the concluding sentence; they all contain the same keyword or key idea that controls the information in the rest of the paragraph.
There are basic strategies and techniques that can be used to produce writing effectively. In general, in the tasks as a student or professional it is required to write paragraphs, essays, monographs and theses of variable and different length and content. Paragraphs and essays should contain main ideas and additionally further explanation or development of them.
Although these compositions may differ in length and content, a paragraph and an essay are similar in two important ways. First, everyone has a central idea in a topic sentence (in the case of the paragraph) or in a main paragraph (in the case of the essay). Second, the central idea in the topic sentence or main paragraph must be fully explained or developed in argumentative sentences or paragraphs.
THE MAIN IDEA
The main idea of a paragraph is contained in a main sentence, which must be sufficiently clear in its requirement for further explanation or development in other related argumentative sentences, which, in turn, have as reference the subject of the main sentence. A good topic sentence is not too general or too strict in its sense. It is advisable to establish the central idea at the beginning of the paragraph, in the first sentence.
EXAMPLE OF MAIN PRAYER
Considering the keyword: home
- The houses in this place are expensive.
(The meaning of the sentence is too general.)
- The house of the Lord Ramirez cost ten thousand dollars.
(The meaning of the sentence is too strict.)
- The house of my neighbor has some amazing features.
(The meaning of the sentence is appropriate. It allows you to explain, then, the reasons for the surprising characteristics of the house, in other words, develop the characteristics referred to below.)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAIN SENTENCE
The paragraphs and the essays have in common the development of the central ideas by the writer, who can base the arguments according to his experience and according to the analysis he makes on the subject, and by the references of other authors on the same subject.
There are a number of frequently used paragraph development methods, such as those listed below:
- narrative paragraphs description paragraphs example paragraphs classification and division paragraphs comparison and contrast paragraphs process paragraphs cause and effect paragraphs definition paragraphs argumentation and persuasion paragraphs
These main idea development methods are called development modes. Although they have different characteristics, the development modes have a common purpose of providing the reader with the specific information required to support or clarify the meaning and meaning of the most important sentence. In conclusion, the main sentence is a complete and appropriate idea that requires development or expansion of information where details are provided to support or explain it.
PARAGRAPH DIAGRAM
When developing a paragraph, the writer generally:
- begins with the topic sentence or main sentence, develops the main idea through a series of related sentences that fully explain the main idea, concludes with a sentence that summarizes the main idea.
| Main sentence |
First sentence
| Argumentative sentence 1 |
| Argumentative sentence 2 |
| Argumentative sentence 3 |
Development: series of related sentences
| Concluding sentence |
Final prayer
EXAMPLE OF CONSTRUCTION OF A PARAGRAPH
- Keyword: Canada Top Sentence:
Canada is considered one of the best countries in the world.
- Explanation or development of the main sentence
(The development of the main sentence is implemented through support or argumentative sentences related to the main idea or keyword. You can also cite other authors, whose contributions are important and are related to the main idea.)
Example:
- Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to affordable medical services. Canada has a high standard of education. Canadian students have well-trained professors who are encouraged to continue studying at universities. Canadian cities are clean and efficiently run. These cities have many parks and a lot of space for people to live.
(In the example that is developed, the main idea has Canada as the core of the subject. In this sense, argumentative sentences also have names and pronouns referring to the core of the subject as their subject)
- Concluding sentence
(This final sentence rescues the main idea of the paragraph.)
In conclusion, Canada is a desirable place to live.
- The full paragraph is as follows:
Canada is considered one of the best countries in the world. Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to affordable medical services. Canada has a high standard of education. Canadian students have well-trained teachers who are encouraged to continue studying at universities. Canadian cities are clean and efficiently run. These cities have many parks and a lot of space for people to live. In conclusion, Canada is a desirable place to live.
EDITING THE PARAGRAPH
At this stage you should review:
paragraph typing errors, if all sentences have a subject and are related to keywords, if the subjects and verbs match the expressions of time, if each sentence makes sense, if the paragraph is interesting and important, spelling and punctuation marks.
TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS
The most common paragraphs are explained below:
| • Narration • Definition • Classification and division • Description • Examples | • Comparison and contrast • Sequence • Evaluation • Cause and effect • Argumentation and persuasion |
Paragraph of Narration or Explanation
With this type of paragraph, the writer hopes to interest the reader with a good explanation, point of view or story; while at the same time clearly illustrating a particular idea. The narration is used to explain, comment on personal experiences or choose the object, idea or action that is preferred: such as those that occur daily; such as, why did you miss the bus, why are you late for your meeting, the habitat or behavior of the animals, the relationship between contamination by bacteria and canned food, the choice of a type of music, etc., narrating what happened, why it happened, at what time, where it happened, etc.
Words frequently used in the narrative paragraph:
| in my opinion I think my idea is that I consider that I think that | It seems to me that I hope that I like that I dislike that I feel that |
I understand that
(These first-person expressions are used here, but they can be used impersonally, for example: it is believed that, it is considered that, it is thought that, it is expected that.)
Example:
Javier had a lot of sports activity the last weekend. He played basketball with his friends from school on Saturday. I have fun. Also he played football on Sunday. He mentioned that he likes soccer more than basketball. It is considered that practicing sports disciplines keeps the mind healthy.
Cause and Effect Paragraph
Using this type of paragraph, relationships are established on how or why events occur, exploring the causes and effects of related events.
Words frequently used in the cause and effect paragraph:
| Cause because since as a result of due to | Effect therefore consequently for + verb thus therefore consequently if… then |
Examples of cause paragraphs:
- Many people moved to Canada from Europe during the 19th century because they had very poor living conditions in Europe. Since the living conditions in Europe were very unfortunate, many people moved to Canada Many people moved to Canada from Europe as a result of the poor living conditions in Europe The large migratory flow from Europe to Canada was due to the economic pressures in Europe.
Examples of effect paragraphs:
- Living conditions in Europe were terrible. So many people moved to Canada in search of better living conditions. Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Thus, many people moved to Canada in search of better living conditions. Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Consequently, many people moved to Canada in search of better living conditions. Living conditions in Europe were dire. For this reason, many people moved to Canada in search of better living conditions. If living conditions were better in Europe, then many people would not have moved to Canada.
Examples of cause - effect paragraphs:
- A young man with high alcohol consumption (cause) decided to drive his father's car, but lost control of the vehicle on a curve and hit a tree (effect).If the ice is heated to the point of liquefaction, then it will become in liquid Hydrogen combines with oxygen to form
Many causes contribute to an effect.
Example of causes:
Cause 1. The concentration of carbon dioxide on our planet is increasing.
Cause 2. The ozone layer is thinning in certain regions of the globe.
Cause 3. Desertification is on the increase due to poor soil management, monocultures and indiscriminate felling of trees.
Effect example:
As a consequence, the planet has overheated, a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect.
Also, a single cause can generate several effects.
Example of the cause:
Nuclear weapons have many destructive effects.
Example of the effects:
Effect 1. The pressure of millions of times the atmospheric pressure causes a very destructive initial nuclear radiation.
Effect 2. Electromagnetic radiation is also produced after the explosion in an area of approximately six square kilometers.
Effect 3. Energy is absorbed in the form of X-rays by the air surrounding the explosion, producing thermal effects.
Effect 4. The expansion of the fireball emits a heat wave that travels in all directions.
Effect 5. Heat waves condense with water from the surrounding atmosphere causing radioactive fallout, in the form of fine dust.
Definition Paragraph
This paragraph explains the meaning or concept of the keyword or main idea.
Words frequently used in the paragraph:
is defined as a type of
Examples
- A pest is defined as an animal or plant that causes damage to crops, forests or property A pest is a type of animal or plant that causes damage to crops, forests or property
Classification and Division Paragraph
When you write a classification paragraph, things or ideas of the same type are grouped into specific categories, such as:
- most useful, moderately useful, not useful relevant, less relevant, at least relevant, not relevant higher quality, good quality, fair quality, poor quality
On the other hand, the purpose of a division paragraph is to take an object or idea and divide it into its component parts. Thus, a car can be referred to as the object of which its component parts are mentioned (engine, transmission, brake pedals, tires, seat belts, and others).
However, classification and division are used together. For example, if you want to divide a group into subgroups and then evaluate the subgroups. Taking as a reference, for example, the neighborhood: first it is divided into sections (north, south, east, west); then the sections are classified according to the degree of noise in each: noisy, relatively quiet and quiet. The purpose of classification and division is to categorize a complex set into simpler and more useful categories or subdivisions.
Words frequently used in the classification and division paragraph:
| is a type of can be divided into belongs to is divided into a part of
Example |
fits within is grouped with is related to is associated with |
| Main sentence: | There are three types of book owners. |
| Category 1: | The first group of them has all the collections and the best sellers intact and unread. (This person owns paper pulp and ink, and not books.) NO READER. |
Category 2: The second type owns a large number of books, a few of them read, many of them put away, but most of them clean and shiny as if they were just bought. (This person would probably like to have more books, but is stopped by their false physical appearance.) OCCASIONAL READER.
| Category 3: | The third type has few or many books, but each of them is with battered ends, weak and loose from continuous use, marked from beginning to end. (This person owns books.) READER. |
Description Paragraph
This type of paragraph provides detailed information such as a “picture in words” of a specific person, a special place, or the appearance of a particular object. The descriptive words that are used depend on the particular impression that the writer wants to create.
Words frequently used in the description paragraph:
Properties: size, color, shape, purpose
Measurement: length, width, weight, speed
Analogy: looks like, looks like
Location: in, near, above, below, next to, north, south
Example:
| Location detail: | The chair was one of the pieces of furniture that I wanted to take with me when I left my parents' house last time. Looking at her there, sitting in the same corner of the kitchen where she's been for the last fifteen years. You will realize that it was my favorite chair. |
| Appearance detail: | It only had a straight wooden back and the seat scraped by the soles of toddler shoes. |
| Appearance detail: | The only unusual thing about the chair was its intricate design etched into the back. |
Comparison and Contrast Paragraph
This type of paragraph shows the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, objects or ideas.
Words frequently used in the comparison and contrast paragraph:
Similarities: similar to, both, too
Differences: on the other hand, however, but, in contrast, differs from, while, unlike
Comparison example:
A Buick car and a Cadillac car, both made by General Motors, are similar in many ways. A Buick car, which is over 5 meters tall and weighs more than 1,380 kilos, is large and handles very well on the road. A Cadillac car is similar in length and weight. Like a Buick car, a Cadillac consumes relatively little fuel compared to smaller economy cars produced by the same manufacturer. Both cars maintain a certain standard as luxury cars.
Contrast example:
The twins are as different as any two people are. Luisa, who is always waiting for someone to invite her to a party, has dark hair, brown eyes, and an outgoing personality. She wants to be an actress or a popular singer. In contrast, Claudia, is more serious and studious, has blonde hair, blue eyes, and is somewhat shy. She wants to become an architect.
Paragraph Organization Methods by Mixing Compare and Contrast
• Method of Alternation between Points
The example that will be used to present this Method is the comparison between two cars: Mercedes and Cadillac.
Point 1: Compare the length and width of these cars.
Mercedes …
Cadillac…
Point 2: Compare the prestige gained in these years.
Mercedes …
Cadillac…
Point 3: Compare the comfort of both cars.
Mercedes …
Cadillac…
Point 4: Compare the social level gained by these cars.
Mercedes …
Cadillac…
• Block method
The example that will be used to present this Method is the comparison between two twin sisters: Sandra and Cecilia.
Block 1: Sandra
Point 1: physical appearance Point 2: personality Point 3: vocation
Block 2: Cecilia
Point 1: physical appearance Point 2: personality Point 3: vocation
• Comparison-Contrast Mixture Method
This method is used when you want to compare and contrast in the same paragraph. All the similarities can be explained first and then all the differences, or vice versa. The organization appears in the following diagram:
Block 1: Comparisons
| • | common properties |
| • | common situations |
| • | common groupings |
Block 2: Contrasts
| • | different attitudes |
| • | different approaches |
| • | different perceptions |
These three methods are very useful for writing long paragraphs or essays.
Sequence or Process Paragraph
This type of paragraph describes a series of events or a process in some kind of order. Generally, this order is based on execution time. Here, the writer tries to provide a clear and precise guide or instructions to follow step by step. Each step or part of the instructions should be discussed in the same order in which they occur in the process.
Words frequently used in the sequence or process paragraph:
Order: first, second, third, etc; at first; before; then; after; Finally; by last; subsequently
Time: recently, previously, after all, when, after
Example:
| • | First, you need to be the leader of a political party. Second, you need to win a seat in Congress. Third, your party must have a majority of seats. |
| • | In the beginning, you need to be the leader of a political party. |
| • | Before you become the Prime Minister, you need to become the leader of a political party. |
| • | So you need to win a seat in Congress. |
| • | After you have won a seat in Congress, you must ensure that you have a majority of seats in Congress. |
| • | Finally, after all these steps, you can be considered among the favorites to become Prime Minister. |
| • | Lastly, you can consider yourself the Prime Minister. |
| • | Subsequently, a plant dies after it has been pulled from the ground. |
| • | Recently, he was elected Prime Minister. |
- He is the new Prime Minister. Previously, he worked as a lawyer in Lima.
| • | When he won the election last year, he was still working as a lawyer. |
Other examples of sequence paragraphs: protocols for preparing a meal, growth and development of a plant, protocol for solving a mathematical problem, sequential actions of natural phenomena.
Evaluation Paragraph
In this type of paragraph judgments are made about people, ideas, and possible actions. It is required to make the evaluation or recommendation based on certain criteria that the editor develops, supporting each of the reference criteria.
Words frequently used in evaluation paragraphs:
Evaluation Criteria: good, bad, correct, incorrect, moral, immoral, true, false, important, trivial
Recommendation Criteria: it is suggested that, it is recommended that, it is advised that, it is argued that
Elements used in the evaluation paragraph:
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION must be rational and logical
SOLUTION
what the editor raises in response to the problem
EVIDENCES
what the editor presents in support of his answer
CONFRONTATION WITH OTHER IDEAS
the editor contrasts the views of other authors and his own
points of view, regarding the problem
CONCLUSION
is the summary that the editor makes of the evidence presented as a solution to the problem
As a complement to the guide for writing paragraphs, set out in this text, the following series of videos is suggested, in which the particularities and parts of the paragraph are addressed, in addition to pointing out the importance of punctuation marks and connectors for the correct writing of these text fragments. (3 video lessons - 120 minutes)
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