Types of Paragraphs
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Types of Paragraphs
There are three main types of

paragraphs:
1. Narrative
2. Descriptive
3. Expository
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The Narrative Paragraph
This type of paragraph describes one
primary topic and narrates or tells its
story
This topic usually involves one main
event, adventure, scene, or happening.
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Tips for Writing a Narrative Paragraph:
1. Start with a topic sentence that grabs the
reader's attention.
2. Write events in the order in which they
occurred.
3. Use plenty of interesting details.
The paragraph provides lots of detail but stays
on topic.
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Start your narrative paragraph with a strong
topic sentence and beginning:
"This past weekend I had the time of my
life. First, Friday night, I had my best
friend over and we made a delicious,
mouth-watering pizza. After we ate, we
had a friendly video game competition."
When talking about the weekend, the
paragraph starts with the first day.
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Use transition words to move from event to
event:
"On Saturday, my dad took us out on the boat.
The weather was perfect and the water was warm.
It was a great day to go for a swim. Later that
night, we went to the movies. We saw an actionpacked thriller and ate a lot of popcorn."
Do you see how the bolded words move the
narrative naturally from one thing to the nextCopyright 2012
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End your detailed description with a good
concluding sentence:
"Finally, on Sunday, we rode our bikes
all over town. By the end of the day, my
legs were very tired. I only hope that
next weekend can be as fun as this one."
This paragraph keeps everything in order
and gives lots of detail about one thing:
the weekend.
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The Descriptive Paragraph
When writing this type of paragraph,
you describe something with words
that allow your reader almost to
"see" what you're describing.
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Use strong verbs and colorful adjectives in a
Descriptive Paragraph
Verb Examples (action words):
run, leap, shout, fly
Adjective Examples (describe nouns):
smelly, disgusting, gorgeous, radiant,
brilliant, and gigantic
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Sample Sentences with strong verbs and
colorful adjectives:
"The petite young girl merrily
skipped around the blossoming,
fragrant bushes."
"A strong, putrid odor flowed through
the musty air outside the garbage
dumpster."
Each sentence lets the reader see (and
smell!) what is being described.
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The Expository Paragraph
When writing this type of paragraph,
you provide information. You write it
in a logical sequence so your reader
can follow the ideas.
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The Three Parts of an Expository
Paragraph:
1. topic sentence
2. supporting sentences in a logical
sequence
3. concluding sentence
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The topic sentence in an Expository
Paragraph:
This states the main idea, or what you
are going to write about.
Example: "Going to college can be
expensive."
Your reader knows this paragraph will
be about the costs of going to college.
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Each supporting sentence may be followed
by one or two sentences that add details or
give more explanation:
Example: "First, college tuition and
room and board can cost anywhere from
$2,000 to more than $10,000 per
semester. Other expenses make going to
college even more expensive. For
example, books typically cost between
$100 and $500 each term."
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The next supporting sentence and detail
sentences follow in logical sequence:
Example: "Second, materials are also very
expensive. Paper, notebooks, writing
utensils, and other supplies required often
cost more at the college bookstore than at
any local discount department store. For
instance, a package of notepaper costing $2
at a discount store might cost $5 at a
college bookstore."
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You may have other supporting sentences and
detail sentences, still in logical sequence:
Example: "Finally, there are all kinds of
special fees added onto the bill at
registration time. A college student might
have to pay a $50 insurance fee, a $20
activity fee, a $15 fee to the student
government association and anywhere from
$100 to $1000 for parking. There is another
fee if a student decides to add or drop
classes after registration."
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End with an appropriate concluding sentence:
Example: "The fees required to attend
college never seem to end."
This sentence ties back to the topic
sentence, often by rephrasing it.
The sentence shows you where the
sequence of information finally leads you.
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The end.
More free PARAGRAPH WRITING resources:
the topic sentence
supporting details
the concluding sentence
paragraph unity and coherence
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Eight-week PARAGRAPH WRITING courses:
elementary school
middle school
high school
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