The Paragraph

Except for
specialized paragraphs like introductions and conclusions, paragraphs
are clusters of information supporting the essay’s main point or
advancing the action of the story. Aim for paragraphs that are clearly
focused, unified, well developed, organized, and coherent. A paragraph
should be organized around a main point. The point should be clear to
the reader, and all sentences in the paragraph should relate to it.

A topic sentence, a one-sentence summary of the
paragraph’s main point, acts as a signpost pointing in two directions:
backward toward the thesis of the essay and forward toward the body of
the paragraph" (Rules for Writers 39).

Paragraphs Across the Grade Levels

English I
Students will be able to construct a multi-paragraph paper, with three
body paragraphs. Each paragraph will contain a clear topic sentence and
one dominant idea.

English II
Students will be able to construct a five paragraph, thesis-based
essay, containing three body paragraphs. Each paragraph will contain a
clear topic sentence and one dominant idea that supports the thesis
statement.

English III
Students will be able to construct a multi-paragraph (5+), thesis-based
essay, containing at least three body paragraphs. Each paragraph will
contain a clear topic sentence with one dominant idea divided into
sub-topics that support the thesis statement.

English IV
Students will be able to construct a multi-paragraph (5+), thesis-based
essay, containing at least three body paragraphs. Each paragraph will
contain a clear topic sentence with one dominant idea divided by clear
and sophisticated transitions into sub-topics that support the thesis
statement.

Paragraph Types

Narrative paragraphs relate events in chronological order. In a first-person narrative, the writer is telling his own story, using first-person pronouns (I, me, my, mine, we, us, our). A third-person narrative
is a story that the writer tells about another person or persons, using
third-person pronouns (he, she, they, his, her, him, them).

Descriptive paragraphs attempt to paint a picture with words by appealing to the senses. Information is arranged in a logical order.

Explanatory paragraphs tell what, where, how, why. To
support a topic sentence, this paragraph states or interprets facts,
gives directions, or provides reasons.

Persuasive paragraphs express the writer’s opinion and
contain specific details and information to influence the reader to
adopt an idea or take action.