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ParagraphStructure and Purpose

• Structure Of Paragraph Writing
• Paragraph Structure Examples
• Paragraph Structure Quizlet
• Paragraph Structure Mla
• Body Paragraph Structure

• A paragraph is a component of fictional prose and non-fiction writings. When writing essays, research papers, books, etc., new paragraphs are indented to show their beginnings. Each new paragraph begins with a new indentation.
• Identify the paragraph’s purpose. First, you need to know the central idea that will organize this.
• Paragraph Structure The paragraph is the building block of essay writing. The word itself, according to the Oxford Dictionary Online (2015), is defined as “a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering.”.

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Paragraphs are used to help yourreader follow the logic ofyour argument. They should not be too long (generally speaking,paragraphs that are longer than 3/4 of a page are probablytoo long) or too short (one or two sentence paragraphs probablyhaven't given your reader enough information). When you begin anew idea, a point that contrasts one you were just discussing, orwhen you are raising a related but separate point, it's probablytime to start a new paragraph.

In addition to containing clear, discreet thoughts, aparagraph should serve a specific purpose. Ask yourself thefollowing questions: What am I trying to say in this paragraph?How am I trying to say it? Am I expanding on a previous point? amI qualifying a statement? am I restating something? supportingit? concurring? describing? comparing? contrasting?

The paragraph is the building block for essays. A well-written paragraph demonstrates the writer's ability to focus on a specific topic. And generate sequential details that convey his or her ideas to the reader. Understanding the structure of paragraphs better enables the reader to anticipate. Organization, thereby enhancing.

Here are some suggestions for how to think about what yourparagraph is doing (this list is not exhaustive!):

Stating: Making anassertion.

Restating: Putting intodifferent words an assertion already made for purposes ofclarification and/or adjustment or emphasis.

Supporting: Providingevidence for an assertion.

Concurring: Agreeing withanother author's assertion.

Qualifying: Restrictingthe meaning of an assertion already made.

Conceding: Acknowledgingthe presence of a fact or perspective that calls into questionthat author's own assertions.

Negating: Offeringreasoning or evidence to demonstrate the falsehoold of anassertion.

Expanding: Stating atgreat length or more comprehensively an idea or assertion alreadyexpressed.

Analyzing: Breaking anassertion down into its constituent parts in order to clarify orevaluate it.

Defining:Stating themeaning of a word or words previously or subsequently used.

Structure Of Paragraph Writing

Describing: Namingone or more features of an object or concept, to help the readerimagine it precisely or understand it fully.

Exemplifying: Giving anillustration of what is meant by a previous statement or giving aconcrete instance that will help make the point credible.

Comparing and constrasting:Examining objects alongside each other for the purpose ofclarifying their features, evaluating them or noting differencesand similarities.

Narrating: Telling a storydescribing an event or series of events

Evaluating: Makingjudgement about something discussed previously

Synthesizing: Combiningelements of previous paragraphs into a coherent whole; often thisincludes presenting a new perspective on the subject.

Summarizing: Restatingthe principal idea or the outline of an argument or point alreadyintroduced.

Transitioning: Moving fromone aspect of the argument to another by connecting the pointsfor the reader.

The paragraph is the building block of essay writing. The word itself, according to the Oxford Dictionary Online (2015), is defined as “a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering.”

Paragraphs can be shown through breaks between lines or through indentations of the first line of the paragraph. Paragraphs are important for ease of reading; they help to offer ideas in “chunks” that the eye and brain can more easily comprehend (as opposed to offering information in one large block of text, which is hard to read).

Paragraphs are necessary in academic writing to show changes in ideas or further development of ideas. In academic writing, paragraphs present mini ideas that often develop out of the thesis sentence’s main idea.

Example

Thesis Sentence

A regular exercise regimen creates multiple benefits, both physical and emotional.

Beginnings of Paragraphs

• One physical benefit of having a regular exercise regimen is longevity. Recent studies have shown that . . .
• Exercise reduces heart and cholesterol rates when done at least three times per week . . .
• Another physical benefit of regular exercise is that it results in stronger heart and lungs . . .
• People who exercise regularly have less trouble with sleep disorders . . .
• A benefit that spans the physical and emotional results of regular exercise is the release of endorphins, or substances produced by glands as a byproduct of exercise . . .
• In multiple studies, regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress . . .
• Because regular exercise often helps to slow the effects of aging and maintain a good body weight, people who exercise regularly experience the emotional benefits of good self-image and self-confidence in their looks . . .

Although all of these paragraph beginnings are related to the main idea of benefits of exercise, they all show a slight shift in content, as the writer moves from one benefit to another.

Topic Sentences

Paragraph Structure Examples

In academic writing, many paragraphs or groups of paragraphs start with topic sentences, which are like mini-thesis statements. Topic sentences are idea indicators, or “signs” that help guide a reader along from idea to idea.

Topic sentences have a topic and an angle, just like thesis sentences. But the angle of topic sentences usually is smaller in range than that of the thesis sentence. Very often the topic remains the same from thesis to topic sentence, while the angle shifts as the writer brings in various types of ideas and research to support the angle in the thesis.

Look at this sample again; these are topic sentences created from the thesis sentence. The topic remains the same in all (regular exercise) and the overall angle remains the same (benefits). But the angle narrows and shifts slightly from topic sentence to topic sentence as the writer brings in different supporting ideas and research.

Realize that all paragraphs do not need topic sentences. Sometimes, you may need multiple paragraphs to help explain one topic sentence, because you have a lot of supporting information.

When to Paragraph

How do you know when “enough is enough”—when you have enough information in one paragraph and have to start a new one? A very rough guide is that you need more than one or two paragraphs per page of type. Paragraphing conventions online require even shorter paragraphs, with multiple short paragraphs on one screen.

It’s best to deal with paragraphs as part of the revision step in the writing process. Find places where the information shifts in focus, and put paragraph breaks in those places. You can do your best to paragraph as you draft but know you’ll address paragraphing more during the revision process.

Paragraph Structure Quizlet

Linking Paragraphs: Transitions

Paragraph Structure Mla

Transitions are words or phrases that indicate linkages in ideas. When writing, you need to lead your readers from one idea to the next, showing how those ideas are logically linked. Transition words and phrases help you keep your paragraphs and groups of paragraphs logically connected for a reader. Writers often check their transitions during the revising stage of the writing process.

Here are some example transition words to help as you transition both within paragraphs and from one paragraph to the next.

Body Paragraph Structure