Academic English

Chapter one
Paragraph structure
 Learning objectives

Introduction to paragraph
Parts of paragraph
Paragraph Structure
3 Principles of Paragraph Structure
Reasons to Write a Paragraph
Deductive vs. inductive Paragraphs
 Introduction
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops an idea.
The first sentence of a paragraph should be indented.
The sentences in the paragraph support and give examples of
the main idea.
A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells about one subject
or area.
Each sentence in a paragraph must give information about the
topic
Reasons to Write a Paragraph

1. Describe something
2. Tell a story
3. Explain something
4. To Persuade(convince)
 Parts of a Paragraph
Topic sentence : States the main idea of the paragraph. It tells the reader what the
paragraph will be about. A good topic sentence does two things: 1. It names a subject 2.) It give
the focus or main point
Ex: Subject: Egypt Main Focus: Religion
Ex: Subject: Egyptian Religion Main Focus: Gods

Supporting Details : Sentences that are connected to the main idea. They include
information or details the reader needs in order to understand the topic. Sentences should be
ordered in the best possible order. 3 main ways to do this is either by time, location or
importance.

Closing: Sums up the paragraph’s message. It reminds the readers of the

topic.
 Topic Sentence

The ancient Egyptians believed in many

different gods and goddesses and each one had
D their own role to play in maintaining peace and
E harmony across the land. Some gods and
T goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and
A goddesses brought the flood every year. Some offered
I protection, and some took care of people after they
L died. Egyptians had local gods who represented
S towns, and minor gods who represented plants or
animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was
important to recognize and worship these gods
and goddesses so that life continued smoothly.

Closing Statement
 Transitions
• Help your paragraphs flow together. They link ideas so that they relate to
one another
in the same way
similarly as a result
likewise therefore
while finally
on the other hand in conclusion
although in summary
however lastly
in addition
How is a paragraph organized?

A paragraph is organized writing, organized in three very

simple ways:

Deductive
Inductive
Mixed
Deductive Paragraphs

Most books are

Topic Sentence arranged deductively:
Supporting Details they have a chapter
title and the
Supporting Details supporting details
make up that chapter.
Supporting Details
Most of your Body
Supporting Details paragraphs are
arranged this way.
Supporting Details
Inductive Paragraphs
Detective stories are
Supporting Details arranged inductively:
they give the details
Supporting Details first and involve us in
Supporting Details arriving at the
solution, or topic.
Supporting Details Nature writers often
Supporting Details use a lot of inductive
paragraphs.
Topic Sentence
Mixed Paragraphs

Supporting Details Sometimes writers

put some significant
Supporting Details information before
the topic sentence,
Topic Sentence acting like the
introduction to an
Supporting Details essay.
Supporting Details
Supporting Details
Transition Paragraphs
Transition
paragraphs are
Paragraph A usually small and
don’t contain topic
sentences. They link
Transition paragraph linking paragraphs together
A and B to help make the
whole essay read
smoothly, instead of
chopped up into
Paragraph B pieces.
 Dialogue Paragraphs
“Dialogue paragraphs,” I said,
“are simply paragraphs that
indicate speech.”
“Do you mean that each time
another person speaks I have to
begin a new paragraph?” she
asked.
Dialogue paragraphs are
simply paragraphs that
are made when you use
quotes to indicate
speech.
Each time another person
speaks, you begin a new
paragraph.
 Paragraph Structure
• A paragraph should have a logical structure that is easy to put into an
outline:
I. Topic Sentence
II. Supporting Detail
III. Supporting Detail
IV. Supporting Detail
V. Concluding Sentence
 3 Principles of Paragraph Structure
A paragraph is a number of sentences grouped together and relating to
one topic; or, a group of related sentences that develop a single point.
Principle of Paragraph Structure
1. Unity
the first and most important principle to be observed in constructing a
paragraph is that of unity. just as each sentence deals with one thought,
each paragraph must deal with one topic or idea and with no more than
one. In writing an essay, for example, every head, and every sub-head,
should have its own paragraph to itself. and every sentence in the
paragraph must be closely connected with the main topic of the
paragraph. the paragraph and every part of it must be the expression of
one theme or topic.
 Continue………
2. Order
The second principle of paragraph construction is order — that
is, logical sequence of through or development of the subject.
events must be related in the order of their occurrence, and all
ideas should be connected with the leading idea and arranged
according to their importance or order.
3.Variety
A third principle of paragraph construction is variety; by which
is meant that, to avoid monotony, the paragraph of composition
should be of different lengths, and not always of the same
sentence construction
 Concluding Sentence
• It signals the end of paragraph
• It is the last sentence of the paragraph.
• It should summarize what has already been said and leaves
the reader with the most important ideas to remember.
• Conclude the paragraph by summarizing the main points of
the paragraph or repeating/paraphrase the topic sentence in
different words.
 Conclusion signals
• In conclusion, ___________________
• In short, ____________________
• To summarize, _______________
• To conclude, ________________
• In brief, ____________________
• In summary, _________________
• To sum up, __________________
• It is clear that ________________
• Topic Sentence:________________________________________________.
•   Supporting Sentence: A._______________________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 1._________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 2._________________________.
•     Supporting Sentence: B._______________________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 1._________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 2._________________________.
•      Supporting Sentence: C._______________________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 1. _________________________.
•                           Supporting Detail: 2. _________________________.
• Concluding Sentence :___________________________________________.
Thanks a lot
any question