Guidelines

for writing
paragraph

Characteristics of a good paragraph

Unity
Coherence

Unity
quality of sticking to one idea from start to

finish, with every sentence contributing to the

central purpose and main idea of that
paragraph;
in a unified paragraph, all of the supporting
sentences serve to illustrate, clarify, and/or
explain the main idea set forth in the topic
sentence;

Coherence
refers to how well the contents of a paragraph

"hang together
in order to achieve paragraph coherence, you
must look at a number of different elements in
your paragraph:

the organizational pattern

the use of transitional devices
the repetition of key words or related terms,
including pronouns
the occurrence of parallel syntactic structures

Transitional words and phrases

Examples

To add something

also, to, in addition, furthermore

To show contrast

but, yet, in contrast to, on the other hand

To give an example

for example, for instance, thus

To compare or show another similarity in the same way, in some ways

To show time sequence

then, next, first, in the beginning

To emphasize

in fact, indeed, in other words

To show relationship

above, beyond, below, next to, behind,

in front of

To acknowledge a point of doubt that

may be opposite to the one you are
making

although, though, even though, in spite of,

yet, even if

To summarise

finally, in conclusion, consequently, thus

Checking for coherence

check the topic sentence
-

the topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. it

gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be
about;

avoid mixed constructions

use pronouns that refer only to identifiable

antecedents
-

if the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun; if the antecedent is

feminine, use a feminine pronoun

use similar grammatical structures to achieve

balance in a sentence
use transition words to help the reader move easily
repeat key words to attract and hold your readers
attention

Point paragraph outline

it is an organisational strategy that

provides a frame for the ideas the writer

wants to convey
2 purposes of PPO:
1.

2.

make the focus of the paragraph more

specific and clearer;
makes it easier for the reader to
understand;

Topic Sentence: States both the topic of the paragraph and the
main point you want to make about that topic.
Introduce the first reason or example that supports your main point.
[Link] a quote or specific example as evidence or support.
[Link] how the quote or example supports your main point.
Transition to second reason or example that supports your main
point.
[Link] a quote or specific example as evidence or support.
[Link] how this quote or example supports your main point.
Transition to a third reason or example to support your main point.
[Link] a quote or specific example as evidence or support.
[Link] how this quote or example supports your main point.

Write a concluding sentence (or two) that explains how all three
of the examples above support your topic sentence.

Organising your essay

contains three parts
a.
b.
c.

beginning (introduction)
middle (body)
end (conclusion)

introduction has three parts

a.
b.

c.

opening sentences ( to attract reader)

transition (to set the stage for the thesis)
thesis statement (sum up the essay)

 opening sentences is to attract the

reader.
techniques used:
a.
b.
c.
d.

use a quotation or catchy saying

describe a personal experience
ask a question
give a startling fact or statistics

 the body comprises 3 to 4 paragraphs;

each paragraph discusses one topic

sentence;
supporting details and evidences are
used to support the TS;
transition words are used to give the pp
unity and coherence;

 the conclusion summarizes the ideas

mentioned earlier and concludes the

essay;

Types of essay

Narrative essay
Compare-contrast essay
Descriptive essay
Process essay
Cause and effect essay
Explanation essay
Argumentative essay

Narrative essay
to describe something;

it :
a. is told from a particular point of view (first &
third point of view)
b. makes and supports a point
c. is filled with precise detail
d. uses vivid verbs and modifiers
e. uses conflict and sequence as does any story
f. may use dialogue

Compare-contrast writing
to compare and contrast two items in

order to note what properties they have

in common and what properties each
possesses that the other lacks;
seeks to explain the similarities and/or
differences rather than merely note
them.

Organising a comparison/contrast
writing
block/ parallel pattern

- listing the points of comparison on one subject first

then working on the second subject

alternating/ integrated method

- present the point on the first subject to be followed
immediately by the second subject

using analogy

- used to show similarity between two subjects

which have nothing in common

Descriptive writing
vividly portrays a person, place, or thing

in such a way that the reader can

visualize the topic and enter into the
writers experience;

Purpose of descriptive writing

to express oneself;
to entertain;
to inform a wide audience;

 The general characteristics of descriptive

writing include: elaborate use of sensory

language:

rich, vivid, and lively detail

figurative language such as simile, hyperbole,
metaphor, symbolism and personification
showing, rather than telling through the use
of active verbs and precise modifiers

Steps in descriptive writing

prominent sensation/ idea
perspective point
choosing facts

organising of facts
planning and drafting the descriptions

Organising descriptive writing

vintage point/ spatial organisation

- describing an object by moving from top to bottom,

or left to right;
- it also uses words that indicate direction and place;

time sequence

- Uses all the five senses

dominant impressions

- use to bring out the outstanding description about a

feature of a subject

Process writing
to explain how to do something or how

something works;
a good process writing:

either helps readers perform the steps themselves or

helps them understand how something works
presents the essential steps in a process
explains steps in detail
presents steps in logical order (usually time order chronological)

Cause and effect paragraph

clearly distinguishes between a cause

and an effect;
establishes a clear thesis statement;
presents information in an effective
order;

Steps in writing cause and effect

paragraph
make a list of causes or effects. then narrow down that list

to include only the most important causes or effects;

explain each cause or effect in the paragraph in as much
detail as possible;
use transitional words in your paragraph, such as: also, as
a result, because, first and finally;
include in your paragraph a clear topic sentence. this
sentence should state the main idea of your paragraph;
arrange your points in chronological order. use transitional
words like first, second, finally. Lastly, you can use order of
importance, which shows events that are most important.;

Explanation paragraph
to explain how or why something happens;

topic sentence identifies what is being

explained.
support sentences give a sequenced
explanation of how and why something works
or happens.
concluding Sentence gives a brief summary
of the process in conclusion

Steps in writing explanation

paragraph
choose a narrowed down topic to be

described thoroughly;
give details of the process in correct
order
give reasons for the order
use chronological order

Cause

Effect

because

therefore

since

thus

as a result of

consequently

is due to

hence

For beginning an explanation

at first, initially, to begin with, in the beginning, first of all, the
first step
For continuing an explanation
while, as, at the same time, the next step, after, next, then
For ending an explanation
finally, eventually, at last, the final /last step

Argumentative essay
it not only gives information but also

present an argument with the pros

(supporting ideas) and cons (opposing
ideas) of an argumentative issue;
takes a stand and writes as if we are
trying to persuade an opposing audience
to adopt new beliefs or behavior;

Toulmins Model of argument

elements of a persuasive argument
a. claim -

the point an arguer is trying to make. The

claim is the proposition or assertion an
arguer wants another to accept.

b. grounds - to the proof or evidence an arguer offers

Grounds answers the questions, "What is
your proof?" or "How come?" or "Why?"

c. warrant -

it is implicit (unstated) and requires the

listener to recognize the underlying
reasoning that makes sense of the claim in
light of the grounds.

d. backing - provides additional justification for the

warrant;
- usually consists of evidence to support the
type of reasoning employed by the warrant

e. qualifier - states the degree of force or probability to

be attached to the claim.
- states how sure the arguer is about his/her
claim

f. Rebuttal - acknowledges exceptions or limitations to

the argument.
- admits to those circumstances or
situations where the argument would not
hold.

 a good argumentative essay include:

a. establishing facts (to support an argument)
b. clarifying relevant values (for your audience
(perspective)
c. prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing (the facts and
values in importance to build the argument)
d. forming and stating conclusions
e. "persuading" your audience that your conclusions
are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared
values
f. having the confidence (to communicate your "persuasion"
in writing)