Types of Paragraphs
There are different types of paragraphs used for different kinds of writing. When writing a paragraph, it is important to remember the
following 2 variables which will have an impact on writing:

the purpose for your writing (WHY)
 the audience you are writing for (WHO)
Information Paragraph
to inform, clarify, define, classify, compare, contrast or explain
This type of writing is used to clarify, define, or explain something to your reader that he/she may not know. Exposition requires facts,
examples, and ideas to support the main idea. Explanatory writing does not include the writer’s personal opinions or judgments. A new
information paragraph begins when a new idea is introduced. An information paragraph tells how, what, or why something happens or
explains the connection between cause and effect.
Sample Information Paragraph:
Rainbows come out only in the rain or right after it rains because raindrops are responsible for producing the colours. As you
know, sunlight is composed of all the colours of the rainbow, and a drop of water acts as a prism and breaks up sunlight streaming
through it into a spectrum of many colours. A rainbow’s development begins when sunlight enters the front of a raindrop, gets bent,
and is separated into many colours. The colours bounce off the back of the drop and are bent again, exiting through the front. So out of
white light comes colour. The colour created depends on what angle the light exits the drop .
Narrative Paragraph
to tell a story or relay an event
This type of writing involves relaying a single experience or presenting a series of events that tell a story. Narrating is used so that the
reader can share and learn about a single experience. Many short stories, novels, films, etc. are in the form of a narrative. A new
narrative paragraph begins where there is a change in time, place, activity or speaker. Narrative writing establishes characters, setting,
plot and theme.
Sample Narrative Paragraph:
The last time I saw a rainbow occurred when I was on vacation. It had been very hot all day and in the late
afternoon a severe storm hit our area. After a steady stream of rain poured out the sky, the sun came out. The next
thing I saw in the sky was a beautiful rainbow. It reminded me how marvelous nature’s beauty really is and made me
think of fairytales I remember as a child. I wonder if anyone has ever found a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow?
Rainbows are truly astounding, but finding gold would be glorious!
Persuasive Paragraph
to present and argue an opinion about an issue or topic
A persuasive paragraph tries to get the reader to agree with the opinions of the writer. The topic sentence provides the writer’s opinion
on a debatable topic. It is up to the writer to logically convince the reader of his/her opinion which may not necessarily be shared by the
reader. This is usually done by providing facts, evidence and by emotionally appealing to the audience through persuasive or rhetorical
language. Persuasive writing has a single purpose: to encourage the reader to support his/her views.
Sample Persuasive Paragraph:
Teenagers should earn their own spending money. If teens work for their own money, rather than have it given to them by
parents, they may be more responsible in spending it. They will learn the value time, the value of each dollar, and the value of the items
they purchase. Teens will be less likely to make rash decisions because ultimately, they will have to deal with the financial
consequences of their own choices. Each teenager should earn his/her own money because in the end, it teaches the teen purchasing
skills and responsibility.
Descriptive Paragraph
to describe in vivid detail a person, place or thing
This type of writing describes a person, place, or thing as vividly as possible. It makes the reader see,
everything that will bring the subject to life. Vivid nouns, adjectives, adverbs, etc. are used to depict the
Often descriptive passages are found within narratives to depict character or setting which also create
hear, and sense
object, scene, etc.
the mood.
Sample Descriptive Paragraph:
The fire caused by burning popcorn engulfed the room. Thick oily smoke filled the air, orange flames flared up the wall, and
grey puffs of smoke congested his breathing. His eyes blistered into tears and as he reached for the door, his hand was scorched. As
he made his way into the hall, the slimy smoke oozed outside and quickly followed to the exit.
When writing A SINGLE PARAGRAPH remember to:


indent the first sentence
begin with a topic sentence, for your introduction, to capture audience’s attention, state your topic and show your attitude
toward it

develop and support your topic through several details, facts, examples, etc.

end your paragraph with a concluding statement to summarize the details, restate the main ideas and/or encourage your
audience to think about what you have written

present only ONE MAIN IDEA per paragraph
Mrs. Efpatridis – ENG 1DP