Portfolio entry 7* From paragraph to essay

Which aspects should you bear in mind when writing a paragraph?

There are two important points you need to take into account. First, what a paragraph is and what a well written paragraph is made up of. Second, there are different types of paragraphs. This means that you need to know which type of paragraph you will focus on. Consequently, it is important to know their main characteristics.

A paragraph is a self-contained unit which deals with a particular point or idea, and it is made up of sentences which can have four general functions. First, they can function as paragraph introducers which establish the topic focus of the paragraph as a whole. Second, they can function as paragraph developers, which present examples or details of various kinds that support the ideas set forth by the paragraph introducers. Third, they can function as modulator or transition sentences. They provide a smooth transition between different sets of ideas. Fourth, they can function as terminator or restatement sentences, which conclude the ideas discussed in the paragraph.

Mainly there are eight types of paragraphs, we will focus on exploring key features and examples  regarding them by listing.

1. Paragraph development by listing:

A list paragraph has several parts:

• Paragraphs introducers → a topic introducer and a topic sentence or just a topic sentence. They are used to open the paragraph.
• Supporting examples listed with connectors. (At times, modulators are used between different set of ideas)
• Terminator sentence → Conclusion

• Sample:

A text that has been well planned has well-organised paragraphs, and the purpose of each paragraph will be clearly signposted by its layout as well as by the language. First, a new paragraph will be marked out in one of two ways: either a full line is left between the paragraphs or the first word of the new paragraph is indented. Today, the majority of writers leave an empty line between the paragraphs. Second, a paragraph is a series of sentences that develops one idea, and in academic writing that idea is usually stated in one sentence (although it may not be the first sentence) and this is called the topic sentence. This is the most important sentence in the paragraph. The rest of the paragraph will support and elaborate the idea, and perhaps provide examples to illustrate the topic sentence. In some ways this is similar to a newspaper article where you often find that the first sentence of each paragraph states clearly what it is about. You may have noticed that you can skim through a newspaper article by reading the first sentence of each paragraph.

• Analysis:

Topic sentence

Supporting examples

Source:

• Waylink English http://www.waylink-english.co.uk/?page=61195

2. Paragraph development by examples:

This is a kind of list paragraph, in which example sentences closely support the topic sentence. The structure is the same as for paragraphs by listing.

• Sample:

You can safely swim with piranhas, but it’s important to know how and when to do it. First, chose an appropriate time, preferably at night and during the rainy season. Avoid piranha-infested waters during the dry season, when food supplies are low and piranhas are more desperate. Piranhas feed during the day, so night-time swimming is much safer. Second, streamline your movement. Wild or erratic activity attracts the attention of piranhas. Swim slowly and smoothly. Finally, never enter the water with an open wound or raw meat. Piranhas attack larger animals only when they are wounded. The presence of blood in the water may tempt the fish to attack. If you follow these simple precautions, you will have little to fear.

• Analysis:

Topic sentence

Supporting examples

Terminator sentence

Source:

• The writingcenter http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/paragraphs/paragraph-development-examples/

3. Paragraph development by comparison:

This kind of paragraph compares similar aspects or qualities of two subjects. There may be differences between the two subjects , but the similarities are emphasised. In writing this type of paragraph two procedures may be followed. In the first procedure, an example related to one subject X alternates with an example related to another subject Y. In the second procedure, all examples of subject X are listed together, followed by all examples of subject Y. Moreover transitional words such as similarly, also, too, both are used. It consists of:

• Paragraph introducers → a topic introducer and a topic sentence. Then the last will state more specifically the basis of comparison
• Supporting examples
• Modulators/Transition sentences → They may be used to change from one point of view to another, from one st of ideas to another, or from one subject to another.
• Terminator sentence

• Sample:

My hometown and my college town have several things in common. First, both are small rural communities. For example, my hometown, Gridlock, has a population of only about 10,000 people. Similarly, my college town, Subnormal, consists of about 11,000 local residents. This population swells to 15,000 people when the college students are attending classes. A second way in which these two towns are similar is that they are both located in rural areas. Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which is devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans

• Analysis:

Topic sentence

Supporting examples

Source:

• Comparison & contrast paragraphs http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/compcont.html

4. Paragraph development by contrast:

This kind of paragraph compares dissimilar aspects of two subjects. The differences are emphasised. In writing this type of paragraph, two procedures may be followed. The first one alternates examples of subject X with examples of subject Y, the contrasts may be in the same sentence, or they may be in consecutive sentences. The second one presents all subject X examples together, then all subject Y examples together.  It has the same structure as the paragraph by comparison, however other transitional words and phrases are employed: unlike, on the other hand, in contrast.

• Sample:

It's an old cliché that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we see evidence of it everywhere we look. There is little doubt that people interpret beauty in many different ways. An archaeologist will see beauty in a bone or a fragment of stone while others will see only a fragment of matter. A scientist will see beauty in a formula or a chemical reaction while others will turn away in confusion or disgust. A dog breeder will see beauty in a particular breed of dog while their neighbour will see only a drawling, smelly beast busy fouling the roadways given half a chance. A businessman may see beauty in healthy bank statement. For me, beauty does not reside in matter or other living beings, but in music. A violin being played by a talented musician can easily reduce me to tears by the sheer beauty of the sound. Beauty is not something you can touch, but something ethereal and beyond our reach. However, for me, beauty does not reside in music alone.

• Analysis:

Topic introducer

Topic sentence

Supporting examples and transition sentences

Terminator sentence

Source:

• Waylink English  http://www.waylink-english.co.uk/?page=61195

5. Paragraph development by definition:

This kind of paragraph may be developed by using either comparison sentences or contrast sentences. By the former, it aims to show that  an unknown term is the same as or like some known term. By the latter, it aims to show that an unknown term, though similar in some respects, is basically unlike some known term. Moreover, it may be developed by bringing together the appropriate like and unlike characteristics of two or more terms to form a new concept, or synthesis. In any case, a given definition paragraph, whether by comparison, contrast, or synthesis, or some combination of these, normally ends with a sentence that summarises the distinctive features of the term being defined. Last definition paragraphs are often used to explain a general concept by using a specific example or occurrence of the concept.

• Defining the term
• A sentence that sum up the features of the term being defined

• Sample:

Parallelism is an important concept in writing. Ideas that are written in a parallel form are easier to read and understand. Ideas that are not written in parallel look strange, and are certainly inappropriate in academic writing.

• Analysis:

Topic sentence: defining the term

The following two sentences: They sum up the features being defined by the term by contrast

Source:

• Waylink English http://www.waylink-english.co.uk/?page=61195

6. Paragraph development by classification:

This kind of paragraph aims to set up adequate categories and equally important to define what goes into  these categories. Its purpose is to group a large number of items or ideas into a small number of classes.

• Topic
• How it is classified
• Category

• Sample:

There are three kinds of book owners. The first has all the standard sets and best sellers–unread, untouched. (This deluded individual owns woodpulp and ink, not books.) The second has a great many books–a few of them read through, most of them dipped into, but all of them as clean and shiny as the day they were bought. (This person would probably like to make books his own, but is restrained by a false respect for their physical appearance.) The third has a few books or many–every one of them dog eared and dilapidated, shaken and loosened by continual use, marked and scribbled from front to back.

• Analysis:

Topic sentence

Classification of the topic

• Source: Read & write ball at UKI https://myreadwritebooster.wordpress.com/writing-3/2-paragraph-writing/13-classification-paragraphs/