PARAGRAPH REVIEW
GEEN 1201 & 1103
VIRTUAL LAB
MODULE
DEFINITION
A paragraph can be defined as a group of
sentences that support or develop one central
idea. It is very important to understand that
the paragraph has only one central idea, and
that all the other sentences are related to this
central idea.
Presentation
Remember, a paragraph begins with an
indentation. The paragraph should be neither
too short (underdeveloped) nor too long (too
many subtopics). Take a look at the following
paragraph:
Presentation
We had a terrible storm last weekend. It rained very hard, so most of the
streets were flooded and many cars were left stranded for three hours. The
nearby river flooded the downtown section. Some people were forced to
abandon their homes or businesses and take refuge in the shelter that was
opened on Main Street. Furthermore, the wind blew up to 60 miles an hour,
and trees were knocked down. One tall oak tree hit a main power supply line
and blacked out the whole town for more than four hours. My neighborhood
was not flooded; however, because of the strong wind, the streets were full of
knocked down tree branches and other debris. It was the worst storm since I
moved to this town.
•
The paragraph has one central idea: The terrible storm. The
rest of the sentences are related to this central idea.
Characteristics
·
·
·
·
One central idea
Unity
Coherence
Adequate development
A good
paragraph
Central idea
This central idea is often called the topic
sentence. It’s the idea that controls the
paragraph.
central idea
topic sentence
How to arrive to a central idea:
• Choose a subject
• Limit your subject: Limiting your subject
means focusing on one single idea, one
Example: Subject: Christmas
You cannot write a paragraph about
Christmas. The topic is too broad. Therefore,
you will have to focus on one aspect, one
topic.
Limiting:
You could write about one of the following
topics:
a)
b)
c)
How your family celebrates Christmas, or
Why you enjoy Christmas, or
Why you hate Christmas
Unity:
To be effective, a paragraph needs unity. In
other words, all sentences within the paragraph
are related to the central idea. Take another
look at the paragraph about the terrible storm.
The Storm
We had a terrible storm last weekend. It rained very hard, so
most of the streets were flooded and many cars were left stranded
for three hours. The nearby river flooded the downtown
section. Some people were forced to abandon their homes or
businesses and take refuge in the shelter that was opened on Main
Street. Furthermore, the wind blew up to 60 miles an hour, and trees
were knocked down. One tall oak tree hit a main power supply line
and blacked out the whole town for more than four hours. My
neighborhood was not flooded; however, because of the strong wind,
the streets were full of knocked down tree branches and other
debris. It was the worst storm since I moved to this town.
The first sentence contains the central idea. All the other sentences
are related to the storm in this specific town.
Coherence
A paragraph is coherent when readers can
easily follow the progression of the thought. One
idea is smoothly linked to the next, logically
arranged and connected. In other words,
coherence is the orderly presentation of
ideas. Transition words help show the relationship
between one sentence or thought and another.
Adequate development
The paragraph follows a pattern of development and
its three parts are fully developed. An adequately
developed paragraph has an introduction (topic
sentence), the discussion (supporting details), and the
conclusion. The discussion is the most important and
the longest part of the paragraph. The introduction and
the conclusion are shorter.
Again take a look at the previous
paragraph “ The Storm
• Introduction: We had a terrible storm last
weekend. (One sentence)
• Supporting details: It rained…..debris (Six
sentences)
• Conclusion: It was…..town (One sentence)
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a technique that helps
limit a subject. When you brainstorming, you
write down all the ideas that you generate
about your subject. To brainstorm you can:
1)
2)
3)
Freewrite
Map/Cluster
List
FREEWRITE
Freewrite:
Subject: Christmas.
Christmas is a joyous celebration. People enjoy
sharing. The malls are full of shoppers. It is a season
for family reunions. I enjoy celebrating Christmas with
my family. We meet at my grandma’s. There are a lot
of things I don’t like about Christmas. All the streets
are decorated. I hate the long lines in the stores……
Clustering
List
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Family reunion
Good things
Gifts
Long lines
Negative aspects of Christmas
Festivity
Debts
Weight gain
Long lost relatives
No parking space
Decorations
Basic parts of a paragraph
Definition: A paragraph can be defined as a group
of sentences that supports a main idea.
A paragraph has three main parts:
1.
2.
3.
Topic sentence
Supporting details
Concluding sentence
Topic Sentence
The topic sentence: The topic sentence is the sentence
that carries the main idea of the paragraph. It gives
the paragraph focus and clarity.
The topic sentence has two parts: a general idea and
a controlling idea. The controlling idea limits the
paragraph.
Example: My favorite place is my living room.
How Must the Topic Sentence Be:
A topic sentence must be:
·
·
·
A concise, clear, specific sentence
A sentence that states one idea.
A sentence that can be developed into a
paragraph.
Practice. Read the following sentences. Notice the correct topic
sentences.
Several actions should be taken to remove
drunk drivers from our streets. (Correct. You
can develop this sentence into a paragraph by
mentioning and explaining at least three
actions that should be taken to make our
streets safer).
a. Strict Laws b. Compulsory Workshop
c. Force Community Work
Topic Sentence Review
María has two sisters. ( This sentence cannot
be developed into a paragraph)
María and her sister are complete opposites.
(Correct.! Your paragraph will present the
things that make these two sisters complete
opposite.)
Topic Sentence Review
Saint Lucia is a Caribbean island. (That’s a fact that
cannot be developed into a paragraph.)
Saint Lucia’s great natural resources make it the
perfect place to spend a weekend close to nature.
(OK. You are going to present these great natural
resources that make of Saint Lucia a perfect place
for a nature weekend.)
Supporting details:
What are supporting details?
They are major points that help you prove the
point you made in your topic sentence. Good
supporting details are related to the topic
sentence and mainly to its controlling idea.
How many supporting details?
A standard paragraph has three (3) major
supporting details (SD); however, paragraphs
may have more or less supporting details.
Examples of support
1. Topic sentence: Ponce has a lot to offer to
our tourists.
A. Castillo Seralles
B. Museum of Ponce
C. La Guancha
Example of Support
2. Topic sentence: Rincon is the perfect place
for surfers.
A. Surfing shops
B. Right waves
C. Surfing competitions
Example of Support
• Topic sentence: My ninety-year old grandma
still has a lot of energy.
•
• A. Works in her garden
• B. Exercises regularly
• C. Is the heart of any party
•
•
YOU TRY IT
First, the topic sentence:
My mother was very special.
Topic
Controlling idea
Provide Your Support
Second, three main supporting details:
1.
2.
3.
Hard worker
Very supportive
Great hostess
Provide Specific Support
Now we are going to add specific details to each major supporting statement.
A.
Supporting detail:
·
·
Seamstress
Baker
B.
Supporting detail:
·
·
School
Career
C.
Supporting detail:
·
·
Great cook
Good entertainer
Hard worker:
Very supportive
Great hostess
Sample Paragraph
•
My mother was very special. For one thing,
she was a hard worker. We were quite poor, but
there was always food on the table because of
my mom’s hard work. On her own, she learned
how to sew the most beautiful dresses and
became the barrio’s seamstress. She could also
bake all kinds of cakes and bread, and prepare
exquisite appetizers. I remember her successfully
catering several public and private social
events. Furthermore, she baked countless
wedding cakes always to the satisfaction of her
clients.
Continuation Sample Paragraph
My mom was also very supportive of her
children. She would stay up late keeping us
company while we were studying for tests or
completing school projects. She always bought us
all our books and school supplies. She respected
and supported our career choices. Finally, she
was a great hostess. She would prepare the
finest dishes for her guests, arrange the table to
perfection, and provide the coziest atmosphere
for any of her parties. I look at her qualities as
her legacy to her children.
The concluding sentence
Definition:
What is a concluding sentence? It is the last
sentence of the paragraph. It is a general
statement that brings the paragraph to a close.
Kinds of concluding sentences:
To write a concluding sentence you could:
1. Restate the topic sentence using different
words, in other words, paraphrase the topic
sentence.
2. Summarize the main point of the paragraph.
3. Make a prediction.
4. Give an opinion.
Examples of Conclusions:
1. Restate the topic sentence: In my diary I just
wrote: Today was the best day of my life.
2. Summary: To summarize, peer pressure will
always be in every aspect of our lives. The
important thing is to be able to handle the
pressure.
3. Prediction: Technology is, therefore, responsible
for most people’s state of loneliness.
4. Opinion: I believe that promoting character
development as part of the curriculum will help
forge better balanced individuals.
The title
The title is not a complete sentence. The title
summarizes the paragraph.
My Worst Professor
The Greatest Salesman of the World
The Life of Professor McCourt
What is a Process Paragraph?
It is a paragraph that explains a process, procedure, or a
sequence. It tells you how something is done.
A process paragraph explains how to create something,
understand something, or do something.
For example:
How to build a model truck
How to write a paragraph
How to understand a short story
How to write a Process Paragraph:
Decide on the process.
Divide it into distinct steps.
List the steps in chronological order.
Use time words/phrases to connect the steps.
Present the result.
Example of a Process Paragraph
Although preparing waffles is not complicated, it is
necessary to follow each step carefully. First, prepare the
batter according to the package directions. Make sure you
follow the instructions carefully. Next, heat the waffle iron. The
iron will be hot enough when drops of water “bounce” on the
surface. Now, as indicated in the instructions, pour the batter
onto the hot waffle iron and bake it until steaming
stops. Finally, remove carefully. You should have a delicious,
crispy, and golden waffle. Pour some syrup on it and enjoy.
What is a narrative paragraph?
A narrative paragraph is a paragraph that tells
a story or relates an event.
Narrating means writing about things that
happened, following the order in which these
events happened.
Steps on how to write a Narrative
Paragraph
Choose the event that you want to recount
Write a topic sentence that arouses the reader’s
interest
Focus your paragraph on one main incident
Write the event using a chronological order, that is the
order in which the event occurred
Write an ending to the narrative, in other words write
the outcome of the event.
Unless otherwise indicated, most narratives are related
using the past tense.
Steps to writing a Narrative Paragraph
•
Choose the event (what happened? To whom, to what did it happen?)
2) Topic sentence ( It should be appealing)
3) Focus on one main incident (That will be the controlling idea of your paragraph)
4) Write the event using chronological order
5) Your ending is the conclusion of your paragraph. It could present the effect the event
had on you,
your reaction, a summary of the paragraph, a question…)
6) Pay close attention to the verbs. The main tense will be the past; however, in some
instance you will have to switch to other tenses. When you read the following narrative
paragraph pay close attention to the tenses, that will help you understand how these
verbs works.