APPENDIX III
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that discuss mainly one idea.
- It can be long enough;
- The number of sentences is unimportant;
- It is visually organized.
Three parts of a paragraph:
- The topic sentence - states the main idea of the paragraph
- names the topic
- limits the topic to one specific area
- Supporting Sentences - develop the topic sentence;
- explain or prove the topic sentence;
- give more information
- Concluding sentence - signals the end of the paragraph;
- summarizes the paragraph. with important points to remember. ( It can do this in two ways: by summarizing the main points of the paragraph or by repeating the topic sentence in different words)
- is needed only for stand-alone paragraph.
LINKING PARAGRAPHS TOGETHER
Each new paragraph begins with a phrase that links it to the previous paragraph, in order to maintain continuity of argument:
- Despite this (i.e. the lack of a conclusive link)
- All these claims (i.e. arguments in favour of the previous idea)
In order to begin a new topic you may use:
- Turning to the issue of . . .
- Some (points,elements,arguments…)must also be examined . . .
- . . . is another area for consideration
Paragraphs can also be introduced with adverbs:
- Traditionally, few examples were . . .
- Finally, the performance of . . .