The paragraph is a series of sentences

developing one topic.

© Capital Community College
 The Topic Sentence
• The topic of a paragraph is
stated in one sentence. This is
called the topic sentence.

© Capital Community College
 The rest of the paragraph consists
of sentences that develop or
main
explain the main idea. idea
• 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
conclu
din continue to prove that they are
senten g
ce the most indestructible of pests.

© Capital Community College
 Developing a Paragraph
A topic
sentence
may be
develop
ed
by givin
g t o p ic
example A a y
c e s. ce m
i c se n t e n se n t e n ed
• A t o p v e l o p
e v e l o p e d b e d e
ing
m a y b e d by t e l l
d e t a i l s . an
by giving in c i d e nt

© Capital Community College
 Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.

main idea
sent
ence
t en ce
sen
senten
ce
n ce
en t e
s

© Capital Community College
 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.

© Capital Community College
 Coherence in a Paragraph
• Stick to the point: The ideas have
a clear and logical relation to each other.

• Put details or examples or 4

3
incidents in logical order. 2
chronological
1
in relation to each other

in order of importance
© Capital Community College
 Connecting Sentences
Within the Paragraph
Transition words

chronological objects in relation to in order of

order one another importance
first next to however
meanwhile in front of furthermore
later beside as a result
afterwards between in fact
finally behind yet
© Capital Community College
 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

© Capital Community College