Qualities of an Effective Paragraph

Qualities of an Effective Paragraph

Presented by:Hope Charmaine D. Vera

Unity in the Paragraph• Oneness of idea• when all the sentences develop

the main idea.• Achieved by the use of:

1) A topic sentence with its controlling idea

2) Supporting details3) A clinching sentence

1. Unity Through the Use of the Topic Sentence

Topic sentence• States the central idea

to be developed.• May be expressed or

implied

Controlling Idea• Consists of the keyword/s in the

topic sentence• May be part or parts of the topic

sentence or it may be the whole sentence

• Limits the scope of the topic and helps the writer to focus on it

2. Unity through the Use of Supporting Details

Supporting ideas• Sentences that help develop or

expand the main idea in the topic sentence

• May be in the form of a description, an example, a comparison or contrast, a classification, etc.

3. Unity through the Use of the Clinching Sentence

Clinching Sentence• Helps achieve unity• May be:1) a restatement of the topic sentence2) a summary3) A conclusion based on the

supporting details

COHERENCE IN THE PARAGRAPH

Coherence• “cohere” literally means “to hold

together”• Sentences should be arranged in an

orderly sequence linked to one another

• Ensure a smooth progression of ideas from one sentence to another

I. ORDERLY MOVEMENT

A. Chronological Order• Time order or sequence in which

the events occurred• Follows the natural order in which

something happens• Purposes:

1. To give instructions2. To explain how something works3. To show how something happened

• Events are arranged on the basis of time1. From the past to the present2. From the earliest to the latest3. From the first stage to the last stage

B. Space Order• Used when describing concrete

objects• Details are arranged by adopting

one or a combination of or reverse of the ff.:1. From near to far2. From left to right3. From inside to outside4. From top to bottom

C. Logical Order• Any progression of thought in the

paragraph1. Inductive order2. Deductive order3. From cause to effect4. From the most important to the

least important

Emphasis in the Paragraph

• Unity – WHAT ideas to include• Coherence – HOW ideas

should be arranged and linked• Emphasis – HOW important

ideas can be made prominent

A. Emphasis through Position• Important ideas are given

prominence by placing them at the beginning & end.

B. Emphasis through Parallel Grammatical Structures• Grammatical structure

–A unit of thought, such as a word, phrase, a clause, or a sentence

• Parallel grammatical structure–Similar grammar patterns to

express ideas in a series

Compare the ff:

• Bethany enjoys baking cakes, cookies, and brownies.

• Bethany enjoys baking cakes, cookies, and to make brownies.

Compare the ff:

• She doesn’t like washing dishes, ironing, or mopping the floor.

• She doesn’t like washing dishes, ironing clothes, or mopping the floor.

Compare the ff:• The British

Museum is a wonderful place to see ancient Egyptian art, you can explore African artifacts, and beautiful find textiles from around the world.

• The British Museum is a wonderful place where you can find ancient Egyptian art, explore African artifacts, and discover beautiful textiles from around the world.

Compare the ff:

• Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a bear that was stuffed, and she had chewed up an old blanket.

• Peggotty's toys were an old shoe, a stuffed bear, and a chewed-up blanket.

C. Emphasis through Climactic Order• The series of ideas are

arranged in an ascending degree of importance or interest

Cheating on your homework can have serious consequences. You might copy from somebody who doesn't know anything, and get the answer wrong. You might get caught and flunk the assignment. You never learn how to do the assignment for yourself, so you will miss all those questions on your next test. You might get kicked out of school.

Compare the ff. paragraphs:

The automobile accident resulted in serious damage.  The passenger in the VW was hurled through the windshield; her throat was  slashed and she bled to death before the paramedics arrived.  The VW driver had both his legs broken.  The driver of the Mercedes showed us his black and blue ribs from when his air bag deployed.  My sister, who was sleeping on the back seat of the Mercedes, bumped her face and had a swollen lip.  The front of the VW bug was crushed, and the Mercedes had scratches on its front bumper and grill. 

Although the Mercedes had only scratches on its front bumper and grill, the accident resulted in serious damage.  The front of the VW bug was crushed.  My sister, who was sleeping on the back seat of the Mercedes, bumped her face and had a swollen lip.  The driver of the Mercedes showed us his black and blue ribs from when his air bag deployed.  The VW driver had both his legs broken.  The passenger in the VW was hurled through the window; her throat was slashed and she bled to death before the paramedics arrived.

QUIZ

FOR MONDAY

• Form a group composed of 3 members.

• Bring the ff:– 1 magazine or newspaper.– Manila paper– Permanent marker (Pentel pen)

Activity Instructions:• Copy and write on your manila

paper 1 paragraph example for each:– Chronological order– Space order– Logical order

• I will be checking 3 paragraphs all in all.