Body Topic Sentence

of the Concluding
Paragraph
Sentence

Coherence
Unity
Emphasis
 Techniques
5-Steps
Principles

Before
After
During
 5 Steps in Paragraph Writing
• Decide on the controlling idea and
create a topic sentence.
• Explain the controlling idea.
• Give an example/s.
• Explain the example/s.
• Complete the paragraph’s idea or
transition into the next paragraph.
 Techniques in Good Writing
• Keep in mind that the reader doesn’t
have much time.
What you write must be clear on first reading.

• Know where you are going.

Start with an outline to organize your argument.

• Make what you write easy to read.

Short sentences and short paragraphs are easier
to read than long ones.
 Techniques in Good Writing
• Make your writing vigorous and direct.
Use active verbs and avoid passive voice.

• Avoid clichés.
Find your own words.

• Avoid vague modifiers.

Search for the word or phrase that precisely states
your meaning.
 Techniques in Good Writing
• Use specific concrete language.
Avoid the use of technical jargon.

• Find the right word.

Know its precise meaning.

• Don’t make spelling mistakes.

If your writing is careless, the reader may
reasonably doubt the thoroughness of your thinking.
 Techniques in Good Writing
• Don’t overwrite or overstate.
No more words than necessary.

• Come to the point.

Say what you think in simple declarative sentences.

• State things as simply as you can.

Use familiar words and uncomplicated sentences.
 Techniques in Good Writing

• Avoid needless words.

If its not important, remove/replace it.

• Be concise, but readable.

Don’t leave out words. Write full sentences and
make them count.
 Techniques in Good Writing
• Don’t write like a lawyer or bureaucrat.
The slash – as in and/or is bureaucratese.

• Never be content with your first draft.

Rewrite, with an eye toward simplifying and
clarifying. Rearrange. Revise. Above all, cut.

• Have somebody to look over your draft.

Articles are reviewed many times even though
they are written by professional writers.
 Principles in Writing Effective
Paragraphs
• Focus on a Main Idea
The main idea is simply what the paragraph is
about and may be stated in a topic sentence.

• Use specific details.

Too little detail produces boring and abstract
paragraphs.

• Develop using a pattern.

The structure of a paragraph can take almost an
infinite variety of forms.
 Principles in Writing Effective
Paragraphs
• Make paragraphs coherent.
A paragraph has coherence when the details of
the paragraph fit together in a way that it’s clear to the
reader.

• Observe cohesion.
Cohesion refers to how group of sentences “hang
together”.
 Question/s – Before Writing a
Paragraph

• What is my paragraph all about?

Specify the topic or idea to be tackled.
Mistakes and word-order are to be overlooked.
 Question/s – During Writing a
Paragraph
• Are my supporting details related to
my main idea?
• Are my examples enough for the readers
to understand?
• Is my paragraph too long?

One or two supporting ideas make the paragraph

less convincing and not worth the effort done to provide
it. There should be at least three supporting details.
Question/s – After Writing a Paragraph

• Do I have any “obvious” grammar

or spelling errors?
• Do my paragraphs stand alone and
include transitions?
• Does my paragraph/article make sense?
Make your paragraphs short, clear and effective.
Example/s:

We should raise city taxes. First of all, we

need money to repair old roads and build new
roads. We also need more to pay teachers’
salaries and to pay for services such as trash
collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to
give financial help to the poor citizens of the
city. It is clear that the city will have serious
problems if taxes are not raised.
Outline/Draft:
Topic sentence: Choosing a college or university can be
difficult for high school graduates.
A. Good preparation
1. Thorough, solid curriculum
2. Qualified professors
B. Affordability
1. Ability to pay tuition and living expenses
2. Possibility of scholarships
C. Good location
1. Study environment
2. Possibilities of part time job in major
Concluding sentence: Students should consider these
points carefully so they can choose the most
appropriate college of university for them.
Passive and Active Voice:
Passive Voice: the subject is being acted upon by the
verb (object)
Active Voice: the subject performs the action

Passive Voice
At each concert, at least one tune from a well-
known opera was sung by the soprano.

Active Voice
At each concert, the soprano sang at least one
tune from a well-known opera.
Passive and Active Voice:

Passive Voice
• The letter was mailed by Marilyn.
• Five hamburgers must have been eaten by the
man.

Active Voice
• Marilyn mailed the letter.
• The man must have eaten five hamburgers.
Avoiding Clichés:
turn over every rock for a solution
(try hard)
put it to the acid test
(test thoroughly)
few and far between
(few)
iron out
(remove)
last but not the least
(last)
Avoiding Vague Modifiers:

very overspent
(overspent by Pkr500)
slightly behind schedule
(one day late)
Avoiding Jargons:

parameter
(limits, boundaries)
implement
(carry out)
optimum
(best)
finalize
(complete)
Avoiding Needless Words:

take action
(act)
have a discussion
(discuss)
at the present time
(now)
in the majority of instances
(most)
Paragraph Patterns:

• Narration
• Description
• Definition
• Example and Illustration
• Cause and Effect
• Process
and a lot more…