Learning How to Develop a
Paragraph.
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The paragraph is a series of
sentences developing
topic.
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one
The Topic
Sentence
• The topic of a paragraph is
stated in one sentence. This
is called the topic sentence.
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The rest of the paragraph consists of
sentences that develop or explain the
main idea.
•
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Through the centuries rats have
managed to survive all our efforts to
destroy them. We have poisoned them
and trapped them. We have fumigated,
flooded, and burned them. We have tried
germ warfare. Some rats even survived
atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok
atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In
spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours
continue to prove that they are the most
indestructible of pests.
Developing a Paragraph
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Unity in the
Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.
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The concluding or
clincher sentence
• Restate the topic sentence in different
words.
• A clincher sentence or concluding
sentence clinches the point made in the
paragraph.
• It summarizes the paragraph.
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Coherence in a Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear
and logical relation to each other.
• Put details or examples or incidents in
logical order.
4
3
2
chronological
in relation to each other
in order of importance
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1
Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
Transition words
chronological
order
objects in relation to
one another
in order of
importance
first
next to
however
meanwhile
in front of
furthermore
later
beside
as a result
afterwards
between
in fact
finally
behind
yet
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Types of
Paragraphs
• The narrative paragraph
• tells a story
• The persuasive paragraph.
• tries to convince the audience
• The descriptive paragraph
• describes something
• The expository or explanatory
paragraph
• gives information or explains something
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Sample Paragraph
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Sample Paragraph
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
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Sample Paragraph
Topic Sentence
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
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Sample Paragraph
Example 1
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
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Sample Paragraph
Example 1 Details
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
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Sample Paragraph
Transition Words
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
© Jefferson Community
Sample Paragraph
Example 2
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
© Jefferson Community
Sample Paragraph
Example 2 Details
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
© Jefferson Community
Sample Paragraph
Example 3
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
© Jefferson Community
Sample Paragraph
Example 3 Details
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
© Jefferson Community
Sample Paragraph
Closing
(restates topic in a different way)
My mother survived difficult times to become a good
parent and worker. Her hard times began when she lost her
husband. At his death, she was only nineteen and had a
baby, me, to raise. She survived by going to school at night
to train for a career. Even though she still lives a stressful life
today, she is a good mother. She always takes care of me.
She listens to my problems, encourages me to do my best,
and praises all my efforts. She cleans our apartment until is
shines, and she make dinner every night. She makes a
delicious chicken casserole. In addition, she works hard at
her job. She is a nurse at a home for elderly people, where
she is on her feet all day and is still kind and cheerful. At
work or at home, my mother is an inspiration to me.
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Reminder!!!
Be sure to spell check
and re-read your
paragraph before
turning it in.
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Questions?
See Instructor
They will be glad to help
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Used by permission of Betty Linneman,
2010