What is a Paragraph?
A paragraph is a short collection of well-organized sentences which revolve around a single theme and is coherent. In this article, you will learn ‘How to Write a Paragraph’.
Parts of a Paragraph
- Introduction: It constitutes the opening sentences of the paragraph. It introduces the main idea. Good introductions often capture the interest of the reader.
- Body (Supporting Sentences): It constitutes the supporting sentences and ideas. It provides the reader with additional details about the main idea.
- Conclusion: It ties up loose ends of the paragraph and helps in reiterating or highlighting the main idea.
Characteristics of a Well-written Paragraph
- Concise: A good paragraph expresses everything it has to say briefly.
- Unified: A paragraph revolves around a single idea. The first line of the paragraph often gives the main idea. All the other details support the main idea of the passage.
- Sequenced: The sentences of the paragraph cannot be written haphazardly. The ideas progress in sequential order.
- Coherent: The sentences in the paragraph do not function independently. They are well-connected to be readable. If a paragraph is not coherent, then it may sound illogical or clumsy to the reader.
- Complete: A complete paragraph expresses everything without leaving any gaps as far as the information is concerned. It does not end abruptly without offering a sensible conclusion.
Paragraph Sample
Strike when the Iron is Hot
The proverb is a reference to how the blacksmith heats the iron to make it malleable. Once it is cooled, the blacksmith loses the opportunity to mold it into the desired shape. Our lives are like iron; when an opportunity presents itself, we should be ready to use it in order to change our lives. Once the time has passed, there is no point in sulking about lost opportunities. Wise men stay alert and recognize opportunities when they present themselves. The foolish ones on the other hand stand by and watch as opportunities pass by. Our reluctance to take risks can often leave us empty-handed. Therefore, it is essential that we make the best use of our abilities and opportunities to progress in life.
- The sentences in RED comprise the introduction of the paragraph. It simplifies or explains the idea given in the title for the reader.
- The sentences underlined in BLUE comprise the body of the paragraph. It provides all the information to support the main idea of the paragraph.
- The sentences underlined in GREEN comprise the conclusion of the paragraph. It reiterates or highlights the main idea and the final opinion of the writer.
- The paragraph conveys its main ideas briefly. It is therefore concise.
- The entire paragraph focuses on a single idea. It, therefore, has unity.
- In the paragraph, the ideas in the introduction are well connected to the body of the paragraph.
- That in turn is connected to the conclusion of the paragraph. Connectives are added to connect the ideas smoothly and logically. It is therefore sequential and coherent.
- The paragraph does not end abruptly. It repeats the idea that is explained at the beginning of the paragraph. By using closing sentences such as ‘The proverb,’ therefore…, it puts emphasis on the writer’s final opinion. The paragraph is therefore complete.
- Hence, we can say that the above paragraph is well-written.
Steps to Write a Paragraph
Step 1: Think about the idea given in the title or the prompt.
- What type of paragraph will be appropriate?
- What could be the main ideas?
- How to write the introduction, the body and the conclusion?
- Write all the ideas.
Example: “India: The World‟s Biggest Democracy”
- In this case, a descriptive paragraph would be appropriate.
- Main ideas would include
- Why India is the biggest democracy?
- What are the hallmarks of Indian democracy?
- India‟s diversity
- Instances when democracy in India played a definite role
Step 2: Structure your paragraph.
- Do not use more than two sentences for the introduction and conclusion.
- It is important to plan your paragraph instead of writing spontaneously.
- Arrange the ideas in chronological order if you are attempting a narrative paragraph.
- Arrange them in increasing order of importance in a descriptive, expository or persuasive paragraph.
- Remember to conclude the paragraph
Step 3: Use a consistent tense form while writing the paragraph.
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Step 4: Keep in mind the “Characteristics of a Well-written Paragraph” that we discussed at the beginning of the lesson.
Step 5: Recheck for any grammatical errors after writing a paragraph.
Tips for Writing a Paragraph
- Every idea in the paragraph supports a single point of view.
- The paragraph revolves around the topic given in the prompt.
- All the sentences are written in the correct order and no sentence is out of place.
- There is no ambiguity in the passage.
- No clumsy or repetitive sentences.
- The main idea shines through.
- The idea is introduced properly.
- Transition words are used correctly to connect sentences.
- Doesn’t end abruptly without a proper conclusion.
- Easy to read from the reader‟s point of view.
- No grammatical errors.
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Types of Paragraphs
Show me 20-30 line paragraph on value of trees
We have this paragraph on this website. Please Search the ‘value of trees.’