English Language and Communiction

Module: Paragraph Writing

Semester: 1
Instructor: Prof. Babni

Paragraph Writing

Paragraph writing in English requires knowing how to write a great topic

sentence, using supporting details and transitional words as well as finding a strong
concluding sentence.
Here is a model paragraph about ‘time’.
Life is a journey travelled on the highway of time. Therefore, time is precious.
Every important moment in life should be properly utilized, as time, once lost, can never
be recovered. Also, there is no way to stop the hands of time from ticking. Hence, right
from childhood, one should learn to appreciate the value of time. Just as one should learn
to make the best use of money, he/she should learn to make the best use of time, too. It has
been rightly said, “Time and tide wait for none.” People who realize the value of time,
believe in action rather than procrastination. They use it to acquire knowledge and various
useful skills.
1. What is paragraph writing?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that, in totality, introduces, develops, and sums
up an idea.
A paragraph is a composition designed to assess the creativity and organizational
abilities of a student. A paragraph is a group of sentences written on a topic. In writing a
paragraph, the writer should first collect his ideas on the given topic and then organize
them in a fluent and grammatically correct order. A paragraph must contain a key sentence
that introduces the topic in one line. One must ensure coherence in the organization of

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sentences so that the thoughts and ideas are presented in a united manner, with an eye
organization of sentences so that the thoughts and ideas are presented in a united manner,
with an eye for fluency. A simple format can be observed to make the paragraph effective.
2. How to write a paragraph in English?
It is very important that while writing you do not repeat your ideas. Hence, you
haven’t introduced many more points to support the main idea of your paragraph.

However, the basic structure remains the same.

2.1. The Topic Sentence
It is the first sentence of the paragraph that introduces the topic. In a way, it conveys
the overall theme of the paragraph. This sentence is very important as it introduces to the
reader the subject matter of the paragraph.
A topic sentence needs to catch readers’ attention in order to make them want to
continue to read. The topic sentence should also give readers an idea of what is to follow.
2.2. The Supporting Sentences
These sentences are used to support the main idea stated in the topic sentence. These
sentences are used to elaborate on what the topic sentence says in brief. They give more
information about the main idea through examples.

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 Without strong and clear supporting details, a strong topic sentence can’t survive. It
is the supporting details, in the form of facts, descriptions, and examples, that back up the
claim made by the topic sentence.
2.3. Transitional words
Using transitional words between sentences builds the unity and clarity of
paragraphs. Transitional words like next, similarly, or for instance make sentences flow
together, showing
2.4. The Concluding Sentence
This is usually the last sentence of your paragraph that sums up what the topic
sentence and the supporting details talk about. This sentence is used to tie up all the loose
ends and give a logical end to your paragraph.
It is very important for students to know how to write a conclusion. The writing
conclusion confirms everything mentioned in a paragraph. A conclusion usually restates
the claim in the topic sentence.
Example:
Let us take up a topic, for example, ‘Sending Cards’, and jot down the ideas as
they occur, randomly.
• Especially sent on certain occasions
• Different kinds of cards are available
• Most popular occasions
• Miscellaneous cards
• E-cards are popular now
• Hand-painted cards are treasured
• A card can cheer up
Now expand the ideas into complete sentences. You can change the order if need be.
Sending cards
All over the world, people send cards to one another on special occasions. There are
many kinds of cards available in stores for every occasion. However, birthday cards are
the most popular ones. Other than occasion cards, there are also miscellaneous, like get
well soon cards, thank you cards, congratulation cards, etc. However, these days, e-cards

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have become very popular with the advent of the Internet. Most e-cards are available free
on select sites. These days, very few people take the paints to send hand-painted cards.
Nevertheless, a hand-painted card not only brings a smile but is also treasured by the
receiver as it shows the effort the sender has taken to cheer him/her up. Any kind of card
with beautiful words written inside is a wonderful way of greeting someone.
3. Salient features of a paragraph
Before you actually begin to write, you should have a clear understanding of the
subject at hand. Remember, just as a sentence deals with one thought, a paragraph
deals with one topic or idea.
First, write down the main idea or topic. It can be a single word, more than one
word, or a short phrase. Build on the words or short phrases to come up with additional
ideas that support the main idea. You may change the order of the points or supporting
ideas according to their occurrence or importance when you actually begin to write
your paragraph.
4. What are the steps in writing a good paragraph?
Before you start writing your paragraph, jot down points that are related to the
subject matter at hand.
• The topic sentence is the introductory statement of your paragraph as it introduces
the main idea. Keep in mind, that the readers will greatly rely on what it says to
decide if the paragraph is worth reading or not.
• Develop the main idea with the help of relevant details, examples, etc.
• Do not write unrelated sentences. One idea should lead to the other.
• Try to come up with a concluding sentence that is thought-provoking or appealing
so that it lingers on the reader’s memory.
• Every sentence in the paragraph must be closely related to the main idea or topic.
Do not write sentences which are not in any way related to the topic
• Ensure that the structure of your detailed sentences is such that there is no logical
gap in the sequence of thoughts or development of the main idea.
• Remember to write complete sentences.
• Re-read all that you have written, and if need be, change the order of the sentences.

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 • Once you have completed your paragraph, revise for spelling, punctuation and
grammatical errors.
5. Types of Paragraphs in English
There are four different types of paragraphs:
Narrative used to tell a story or a sequence of events.
Descriptive used to describe a scene or an object.
used to provide information, including facts, instructions, and
Expository definitions.
Persuasive used to share opinions and convince others to agree or take action.
5.1. Narrative paragraph
A narrative paragraph tells about an event or series of events, usually in
chronological order. Most short stories and newspaper articles are examples of narrative
writing.
Learning how to ride a bike for the first time was a nerve-racking independent
moment. I was about five years old when my sister informed me that I was too old to still
be riding a bike with training wheels. That was the time I decided not to depend on them
anymore. Even though I had some doubt, my sister and I went outside and started to take
the little wheels off my bike. After my bike went through the transformation, I was now
ready for the big moment. With butterflies in my stomach, I slowly got on the bike, and
with my shaky hands, I gripped the handles tightly. Meanwhile my sister was holding on
to me to help keep my balance. I was so afraid the she would let go, yet I was determined
to ride this bike on my own. Next with a little push from her, I started to peddle. The faster
my bike went the faster my heart raced. Finally, I looked back nervously and noticed that
my sister let go of my bike a long time ago. I was so excited that I accomplished freedom
on my bike that I forgot to peddle. The next step I remember, I was lying on the ground,
yet I did not care because of the adrenaline rush. I will never forget the exhilarating
moment and growing up stage of riding a bike without training wheels.

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5.2. Descriptive paragraph
A descriptive paragraph describes a person, an object, or a scene in details.
My hometown is known for its several wonderful natural features. First, it is famous
for the Vandana River which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the
town is Vandana Hill, which is unique because it is very steep. The third amazing feature
is the big old Banyan Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six
hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a
famous place.
Note: ‘Also’ is an example of transitional words.
5.3. Expository paragraph
An expository paragraph is used for explanation. It can list facts, give directions, or
explain ideas.
Advances in science and technology have made the use of "green" energy possible.
In places where climate conditions permit, people are able to use solar energy or wind
energy for power. Solar energy is the use of sunlight for energy and power. Humans are
able to harness the energy of the sun by installing solar panels on their homes or
businesses. Humans have also found ways to harness the power of the wind by using wind
turbines to capture wind energy. Both of these forms of "green" energy are being used
more and more.
5.4. Persuasive paragraph
A persuasive paragraph is meant to persuade the readers to take or not to take an
action.
Instead of staying at home during professional activities days, students in grades six
and above should be fixed to do some volunteer work in their community. For one thing,
there are a number of worthwhile agencies that are in need of extra help. Also,
volunteering would get students out of the house and active, which is much better for them
than sitting on the couch playing video games. Finally, volunteering would teach students
responsibility and commitment to someone/something other than themselves. Overall,
professional activities days spent in this way would be a win-win situation for both
students and their communities.

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6. Format for paragraph writing
1. Introduce the topic in one or two sentences so that the reader immediately comes to
know what the paragraph is about.
2. Put all your thoughts, ideas, and information about the topic in a logical and
organized fashion.
3. Conclude the paragraph in a suitable manner.
7. Points to remember: While writing a paragraph
1. Follow the word limit given in the question paper.
2. Avoid using irrelevant information.
3. Be careful about grammatical accuracy.
8. Example paragraphs
Example 1
Write a short paragraph on “the importance of books in the Life of a Student’
VALUE POINTS
• A medium that cuts across times by presenting the views of people of yesterday’s
times
• A vista of how the world has been the collection of knowledge and gain of various
subjects to date.
• Undoubtedly the best friend for a person
• A guiding light
• Initiates and stimulates thought processing on a subject.
Answer
Books are often mistaken to be a burden by a lot of students. On the contrary, they
come to our rescue in our dire need. They are a window to our big world and present it
from different times on a whole variety of subjects. They let us see how mankind has
progressed over its long journey. And until we go through that, we can’t know how the
future world would shape up for us. Books give a jumpstart to a professional in his field,
as he can go through all that has been achieved in that field and save his time and effort by
avoiding the repetition of the same task. Books, as a guiding light, initiate and stimulate
thoughts on various subjects. They are a milestone of the journey mankind has covered
and the details of it.

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Example 2
Discuss the ‘Negative Aspects of Television in a Child’s Life’ in the form of a paragraph.
VALUE POINTS
• Excessive strain on eyes.
• Multiple channels promote surfing endlessly.
• Wastage of time
• Academics take a back seat
• ‘200 channels but nothing on’ is the common complaint of a viewer
• Promotes violence, aggression, immorality, etc. in young nimble minds
• Reality shows go beyond the possible limits to gain viewership
• Kids have often suffered dire consequences due to reality shows
• Parents, children and the media need to exercise restraint on what is being aired and
what needs to be watched
Answer
Television has become one of the most important sources of entertainment in the
modern scenario. It occupies a central position in the homes of almost all strata of society
with children forming a major part of its spectators. On one hand, if it is one of the greatest
sources of knowledge and general awareness, it has, on the other hand, become a medium
to show programs that most of the time are not suitable for children. The minds of young
children are like raw slates in the deterioration of moral values. With the advent of cable
and satellite television available twenty-four hours a day, literally, hundreds of programs
cannot be viewed by all the family members sitting together. As a result, television,
ultimately, has more negative aspects and thus TV viewing must be limited and selective
for children.
Example 3
Most students usually find writing skills difficult. Write a paragraph describing ‘the
Ways to Improve Writing Skills in English’.
VALUE POINTS
• Take notes in class and always complete homework
• Don’t get discouraged by red-ink marks in your note-book, keep trying

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 • Read as many books, short stories, magazines, and newspapers as you can
• Interactive websites provide online practice and correction
• Always make an outline, listing items/events/paints you need to include
• Rank these points in order of importance and expand on each
• Attempt spell-bee, crosswords, word scrambles, etc.
• Use a dictionary often
• Practice writing in English on any topic
Answer
Writing expression is a must to get good marks in English. In order to acquire good
writing skills, one should always take notes in class and should try to complete homework
time maintain a steady always take notes in class and should try to complete their
homework on time to maintain a steady pace. One shouldn’t get discouraged with the red-
ink marks in the notebooks as they are mere reminders. One shouldn’t lose hope and
should keep trying. Developing a reading habit, be it short stories, magazines or
newspapers is a must to acquire a vast vocabulary and improve spelling, these days several
interactive websites on the internet provide online practice worksheets and correct them
too. While writing a piece of information, one should always draft a word sketch or outline
of points to be included. After that, these points should be listed in descending order of
importance. Some fun ways to keep yourself busy are spell-bees, crosswords, word search
puzzles, and scrambles. Using a dictionary also helps in improving vocabulary and the
most try writing in English a few lines on any one topic of your choice.
How to begin your paragraph using words/ideas
Now, observe the following examples, see how you can begin your paragraph using
words/ideas, and then expand or build on these to come up with effective sentences that
will form the paragraph. Then write the paragraph.
Skiing
Words You Know
• Done on snow
• Winter season
• Famous skiing grounds in India

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 • Skiing competitions
• Skiing instruct instructor
Expanding
1. Skiing is an exhilarating sport practiced on snow.
2. However, skiing can be done only during the winter season when the layer of ice is
thick in mountainous regions.
3. Skiing competitions are held there during the winter months.
4. Even if you are a beginner, you can find a skiing instructor who can train you.
Best Holiday Destination
Words You know
• Goa-best place
• Sunny and warm
• Blue waters and balmy beaches
• Water sports
• Fine restaurants
Expanding
• Goa is the perfect place for a vacation.
• It is always sunny and warm.
• The deep blue sea and the balmy beaches are beautiful.
• People can avail themselves of various water sporting activities like speed boats,
parasailing, water scooters, etc.
• It has many fine restaurants where you can gorge on a variety of dishes, the origins
of which can be traced to various parts of the world.
Airplanes and the Modern Day
Words you know
• Airplanes changed human lives.
• Traveling is much faster.
• You can travel to distant places.
• Delivery of goods has improved.
• The world seems smaller.

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Expanding
• Airplanes are a boon to modern man as they have made traveling much faster and
easier.
• Airplanes have made distant places accessible.
• Now, delivering goods to remote corners of the world is not a problem as cargo
planes ensure smooth and hassle-free delivery.
• Because of airplanes, the world has shrunk and distance no longer matters.
Paragraph writing examples
Paragraph writing on the ‘Important of Fruits and Vegetables in Our Daily Diet’
Vegetables and fruit are an important part of a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are
packed with vitamins and minerals that help to keep our body functioning smoothly. It
gives us the energy and strength to lead a healthy and active life. In addition, they have
lost of fiber to help our digestive system work properly. Finally, it has been scientifically
proven that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases. If we take a diet
rich in fruits and vegetables, we’ll be on the road to better health.
Paragraph writing on ‘Sense of Humor’
Laughter is an expression of joy and happiness. Man alone, among countless
creatures of God, has the capacity to laugh. Life, indeed, would have been very dreary
without humor and laughter. The ability to laugh relieves man of stress and enables him to
see the brighter side of life. A man with a good sense of humor is welcomed at every
gathering – he often enlivens a dull conversation with his sparkling wit and jokes. Humour
in many ways helps people not to lose their temper. It helps to maintain mental
equilibrium even, as it helps to attract friends. A man devoid of a sense of humor always
remains tense and unhappy. He is unable to see the lighter side of life. Hence, humor has
great practical value in an individual’s life.
Paragraph writing 0n ‘The Art of Conversation’
The manner in which a man speaks and communicates his ideas sets him apart from
the rest. The art of conversation is one of the most distinctive features of human
personality. It is aptly said that a man reveals himself through his conversation. A man,
who has mastered this art, can make a great impact on people. He can enliven a social
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gathering with his wit and gain popularity among friends and colleagues. We may strive
for perfection in the art of dressing well but tend to be rather sloppy when it makes his
presence felt. He exudes confidence and poise. The ability to speak well is undoubtedly an
art and like all other art forms, it can be acquired with practice.
Practice questions for paragraph writing
Write a paragraph on each of the following topics. Pointers have been given for
each topic.
Question 1: Conversation of natural resources
Pointers:
• Several ways to conserve natural resources.
• Turn off lights and other appliances when not in use.
• Use lights that consume less power.
• Drive less – adopt carpooling distances.
• Use recycled items.
• Don’t waste-water.
• Use waste-water for watering your plants.
• Each of us should do our bit.
Question 2: Knowledge is power
Pointers:
• Man is a social animal who can think.
• Despite being physically weak, he rules over all other animals.
• Man has knowledge which makes him powerful.
• Even among men, the ignorant bow before the knowledgeable.
• Philosophers, scientists, religious leaders, etc. have great influence over others.
• Thus, knowledge is power.
• However, knowledge cannot control the natural processes.
Question 3: Our Cultural heritage
Pointers:
• A rich and unique cultural heritage.
• Religious tolerance is an important aspect of our cultural heritage.

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 • Unique works of sculpture, painting, and architecture.
• There are negative aspects of our culture, too.
• Western culture should not be followed blindly.
• Preserve what is good and discard what is bad.
Question 4: Write a paragraph on ‘Friendship – A beautiful relation’.
Pointers:
• Provides comfort and peace.
• True friends help you through tough and testing times
• A good friend is honest, trustworthy and caring.
• Accepts you unconditionally.
• Not governed by caste, creed, colour, blood or status.
• Always there to give advice and share the best and the worst without hesitation.
Question 6: Write a paragraph on ‘Motivation – the key to success’.
Pointers:
• Providing the individual with the needed power and energy.
• Encouraging positive thinking on the part of the individual.
• Pushing the individual to move forward.
• Promoting self-confidence and self-actualization.
Important topics for Paragraph writing
Write persuasive paragraphs on the following topics:
1. Longer recesses in schools
2. More holidays during the year
3. Online learning
4. Recycling
5. School uniform – an evil
6. E-mail

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