Writing Effective Paragraphs: Handout
Under each type of paragraph, identify “good” and “bad” examples. Explain why the 'Bad' paragraph is weak.
Paragraph A B Problems with the bad
Type example
1. 1A 1B 1A
Opinion School uniforms are an interesting School uniforms should not be First of all, paragraph A uses
topic because many schools have mandatory because they limit casual words and it’s less
Paragraph
them. Some schools in Asia use students’ individuality. For concise. Also, as an opinion
uniforms, and students wear them instance, clothing is one of the paragraph, paragraph A does
every day. Uniforms are sometimes simplest ways for young people to not offer a clear opinion.
blue or gray, and students may have express their personality. Without
different designs depending on the this opportunity, many students
school. It is something that parents may feel restricted, which could
also talk about because they buy the reduce their motivation to
clothes. Therefore, uniforms are participate actively in school life.
something people see a lot in society.
2. 2A 2B 2B
Comparison While both cats and dogs are popular Cats and dogs are both animals As a comparison paragraph,
pets, they differ significantly in their that people keep in their homes. paragraph B is ambiguous.
Paragraph daily behavior. Cats usually enjoy Cats are smaller, but some dogs Instead of pointing out the
independence and can spend hours can also be small. Cats usually significant differences
alone, while dogs require frequent sleep a lot, but dogs can also sleep between the two, this
attention and exercise. These during the day. Cats like to eat paragraph is just describing.
differences mean that cats are more fish, while dogs may prefer meat,
(The word choice is also too
suitable for busy owners, whereas but some cats also eat meat. Both
casual and the paragraph is
dogs are better for people who have cats and dogs make good pets for
less concise.)
time to provide companionship. families.
3 3A 3B 3A
Argumentative Online learning has been used by Online learning is an effective Paragraph A should make an
many students in recent years. alternative to traditional argument in the beginning to
Paragraph
Teachers prepare materials on classrooms because it offers clarify its position and to
computers, and students can watch flexibility and accessibility. For persuade the readers. Also,
videos and read articles. Some example, students living in rural using examples to support the
students join online courses because areas can join lectures without argument may let the
they are interested in the topic, while traveling long distances. In paragraph become more
others may prefer the classroom. addition, the ability to review persuasive.
Online learning is another way of recorded materials allows
(The word choice is also too
learning, and there are many things learners to study at their own
casual and the paragraph is a
to consider. pace, which often leads to better
little less concise.)
understanding.
4 4A 4B 4A
Paragraph A does not analyze
Cause–Effect Air pollution is a serious problem in Air pollution has serious health the causes and effects of air
Paragraph many countries. People notice the consequences because it pollution. Also this paragraph
smoke and smell in the city. increases the risk of respiratory is a bit off topic.
Sometimes the sky looks gray, and diseases. In many large cities, the
(The word choice is also too
people feel uncomfortable walking heavy use of cars and the
casual.)
outside. Cities with many people and operation of factories release
cars often experience traffic jams. harmful gases into the air. As a
Therefore, pollution is an issue we result, asthma and other lung-
should think about in the future. related illnesses have become
more common among urban
populations.
5. 5A 5B 5B
Descriptive Central Park is a peaceful place filled The park is very nice and people It would be much better if
with tall maple trees that provide often go there. There are many paragraph B used more
Paragraph
shade in the summer. Families gather trees and some flowers, and the adjectives to describe the
on weekends to picnic on the grassy weather is sometimes hot but environment and the
fields, while children play near the sometimes windy. Children play, atmosphere in the park.
fountain. The gentle sound of water and people can walk or run. The
and birdsong makes the park an ideal park is good for relaxing, and it is
escape from the noise of the city. a popular place for people who
want to do something in their free
time.
6. 6A 6B 6B
Traffic is something many people
Problem– One major problem in big cities is experience every day. There are The problem should be
Solution traffic congestion, which causes cars, buses, scooters, and trucks pointed out at first to clarify
delays and frustration for commuters. on the road. People want to arrive the topic, and the solution
Paragraph
A possible solution is to improve at work or school on time, but should be contained to make
public transportation systems. If sometimes they are late because the content complete.
buses and trains are more reliable of traffic jams. This problem
and affordable, more people will exists in many cities around the
choose them over private cars, world, and people talk about it a
reducing the overall number of lot.
vehicles on the road.
7. 7A 7B 7A
Process / Making coffee is a process that many Making a cup of coffee requires 7A does not write down the
people do every day. First, people just a few simple steps. First, procedure of preparing the
How-To
prepare the coffee in the morning, place ground coffee into the filter. coffee. A how-to paragraph
Paragraph which helps them wake up. Coffee Next, pour hot water slowly over should give readers clear
comes from beans that are roasted, the grounds to extract the flavor. steps to follow.
and there are different flavors Finally, allow the coffee to drip
available. After you prepare the into the cup before enjoying it. By
coffee, you can drink it with milk or following these steps, anyone can
sugar. Coffee is very popular in the prepare a fresh and aromatic cup
world today. at home.
8. 8A 8B 8A
Persuasive Vegetables are eaten by people Eating more vegetables is The paragraph 8A does not
Paragraph everywhere. There are many kinds, essential for maintaining good give clear and powerful
like carrots, broccoli, and lettuce. health because they provide evidence to explain the
Vegetables are green and healthy, and vitamins that meat cannot. For writer’s argument: vegetables
they give people energy. Doctors say instance, leafy greens such as are healthy and beneficial to
that we should eat more vegetables, spinach supply iron and fiber, humans. Hence, the readers
but some people still eat meat which help the body function may be confused and cannot
because it tastes good. Vegetables are efficiently. If people included be persuaded.
an important part of the diet. more vegetables in their diet, they
could reduce the risk of obesity
and heart disease.
9. 9A 9B 9B
Narrative Yesterday, I experienced an Yesterday I went shopping with 9B lacks a focus point or a
unexpected adventure while my friend. We walked around the climax and is written as a
Paragraph
shopping. As I entered the store, the store and looked at different record. The narrative
lights suddenly went out due to a things. There were a lot of people paragraph should emphasize
power failure. At first, everyone was in the store, and we talked about the main event and delete
confused, but soon people used their what we wanted to buy. After other unimportant things;
phones as flashlights. This small some time, I bought some clothes also, add more descriptive
incident turned a routine shopping and then we left. It was a busy sentences of the stories to
trip into a memorable event. day, but it was good. make the story appealing.
10. 10A 10B 10A
Definition / Democracy is a system that countries Democracy is a system of The explanation/definition
Explanation use. Some countries have democracy, government in which citizens should be written at first. In
and in these countries people vote for have the power to choose their 10A, the explanation is at the
Paragraph
leaders. People also discuss problems leaders through free elections. end of the paragraph, which
and sometimes join meetings. Unlike authoritarian systems, leaves the reader confused
Democracy is not the same democracy emphasizes until the end.
everywhere because each country has participation and equality, giving
its own system. It is a word that each individual a voice. This
means people are involved in principle allows societies to adapt
government. to citizens’ needs and protect
their basic rights.