METHODS AND

COMPONENTS OF A
PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
 COMPONENTS OF A
PARAGRAPH
• A PARAGRAPH – GROUP OF SENTENCE THAT
DEALS WITH ONE PARTICULAR IDEA
Identifying the parts of a paragraph
• Topic Sentence – Main idea of your paragraph
• Explicit – clearly states the ideas that will be elaborated
in the paragraph.
• Supporting Details- Elaborate on the Topic Sentence
 PLACEMENT OF THE
TOPIC SENTENCE
1.The topic sentence at the Beginning
2.The topic sentence at the End
3.Topic sentence Restated
ACTIVITY: WHERE IS THE TOPIC SENTENCE?
1. Some people are cheerful; others are habitually depressed.
Some people smile easily; others readily frown. Some are
generous and find happiness in giving and sharing with others;
others are selfish and
possessive and it would break their hearts to give anything
away. It takes all kinds of people to make up this world.
2. The expression of our thoughts by means of language is in instinctive
performance. No one can remember how or when he learned to talk.
Indeed it is almost impossible to recall how, little by little, words were
added to our vocabulary. However, we can remember words and phrases
which have attracted us and which have become a part of our habitual
stock. We may even recollect the person from whom we first heard a
new word or phrase but the sum total of our retrospect accounts for only
a minute fraction of our vocabulary. We may have the reason to conclude
the expression of our thoughts is a spontaneous action or instinctive
performance.
3.The forest is a sanitary agent. It constantly eliminates
impurities from the earth and air. The trees cheek, sweep,
and filter the air of gem laden dust. Their leaves absorb
poisonous gases from the air. Root helps drain and absorb
impurities from the soil. Roots give off acids and together
with the acids released by the fallen decaying leaves,
sterilize the soil. Trees help keep the air sweet and clean.
Many unsanitary places have been made healthy by tree
planting.
METHODS OF
PARAGRAPH
DEVELOPMENT
 1. NARRATION/DESCRIPTION
• To write a narrative essay, you’ll need to tell a story
(usually about something that happen to you) in such a way
that he audience learns a lessons or gains insight.

• To write a descriptive essay, you’ll need to describe a

person, object, or event so vividly that the reader feels like
he/she could reach out and touch it.
 TIPS FOR WRITING EFFECTIVE NARRATIVE
AND DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYS:

• Tell a story about a moment or event that means a lot to you

it will make it easier for you to tell the story in an interesting
way.
• Get right to the action
• Make sure your story has a point
• Use all five of your senses to describe the setting, characters,
and the plot of your story.
• Remember: Avoid simply telling us what something looks like, tell us how it tastes, smells,
sounds, or feels.
 CONSIDER THIS:

Virginia rain smells different from a California drizzle.

•A mountain breeze feels different from a sea breeze.
•We hear different things in one spot, depending on the time of
day.
•You can “taste” things you’ve never eaten: how would
sunscreen taste?
 A. USING CONCRETE DETAILS
FOR NARRATIVES
• Effective narrative essays allow readers to visualize everything that’s
happening in their minds. One way to make sure that this occurs is to use
concrete, rather than abstract, details.

• Concrete Language- Makes the story or image seem clearer

and more real to us.
• Abstract Language- Makes the story or image difficult to
visualize.
 CONCRETE OR ABSTRACT?
4. It was a nice day.
5. The sun was shining and a slight breeze blew across my face.
6.I liked writing poems, not essays.
7. Mr.Smith was a great teacher.
8. I liked writing short, rhythmic poems and hated rambling on
about my thoughts in those four-page essays.
9. I am an experienced office manager.
10. Mr.Smith really knew how to help us turn our thoughts
into good stories and essays.
 2. DEFINITION
A definition essay is writing that explains what a term
means. Some terms have definite, concrete meanings,
such as glass, book, or tree. Terms such as honesty, honor,
or love are abstract and depend more on a
person’s point of view.
 STEPS TO
EFFECTIVE
DEFINITION:
1.Tell readers what term is being defined.
2.Present clear and basic information.
3.Use facts, examples, or anecdotes that
readers will understand.
• The thesis statement usually identifies the
term being defined and provides a brief, basic
definition.
(term) (basic definition)
• Ex: Assertiveness is standing up for your
rights.
 HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE
DEFINITION
1.Create a definition. There are several ways to define a
term. Here are a few options.
•Define by Function. Explain what something does or
how something works.
•Define by structure. Tell how something is organized or
put together.
•Define by analysis.
2. Use understandable facts,
examples, or anecdotes.
Select facts, examples, or
anecdotes to fully explain your
definition.
 3.
EXEMPLIFICATION/CLASSIFICATION
• An exemplification essay is a type of argumentative essay
that provides specific examples to prove a point.
1. You have to be sure to select a topic where you can use
several different examples.
2. Decide what examples you are going to use.
3. Begin your essay by establishing the main idea or thesis
statement.
4. Write your essay.
 “LIFE AND FRIENDSHIP”
I. Introduction
Defining friendship as it occurs in real life a friendship occurs when a bond is made
between two people that go beyond being an acquaintance…..
II. EXAMPLE 1- Acts of kindness without requiring anything in return……
III. EXAMPLE 2- Acting in the best interest of the other person…..
IV. EXAMPLE NO. 3 – Providing support for the other person without
any tangible reward……
V.Conclusion
There are plenty of examples of friendship in a real –life situation
where people do things for other people without any sort of tangible reward…..
 4. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
• Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own
pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if
comparison/contrast is not an official requirement for the paper you’re
writing.
Examples :
• Two historical periods or events
• Two ideas or theories
• Two pieces of writing or art
• Two people
 STRUCTURE OF A COMPARISON
PIECE OF WRITING
There are two basic structures that can be used.
Example:Compare and contrast the Higher Education System in the
UK and Japan.
1. After your introduction, to write the first section just in the UK, point
by point.
2. Approach the comparison aspect by aspect. Plan which aspects you
want to concentrate on.
Whichever approach you adopt, you must:
•Be clear about the purpose of your comparison,
for example, are you trying to persuade or
explain?
•Establish the basis upon which the two subjects
are to be compared/ contrasted.
 5. CAUSE AND EFFECT
How to write this essay:

When selecting your topic, you should find an event, trend, or

phenomenon that has a fairly obvious cause and effect. You can pick
very big topics like political war and attribute a cause and effect to it
by not exploring every possible reason why it started and what its
effects were. Just pick a few causes and effects that you can attribute
to it and make some notes before you start writing.
 6. PROBLEM-SOLUTION

• In a problem-solution essay, you analyze a problem and

propose a method for solving it. The problem you choose
to analyze should be one that offers some challenges but
is still possible to resolve.
A problem-solution essay should have the following
characteristics:
•A problem that needs to be solved
•A thesis statement that identifies the problem and points toward
the solution
•Identification of several possible solutions
•Specific facts,details,examples,and reasons indicating why one
solution is best
•An analytical tone
 7. PERSUASION
Persuasive writing, also known as the argument assay, utilizes
logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than
another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain
point of view or to take a particular action. The argument must
always use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts,
giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts.
 THE FOLLOWING ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO
SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT:

•Facts-a powerful means of convincing, facts can come from

your reading, observation, or personal experience.
•Note: Do not confuse facts with truths. A “truth” is an idea
believed by many people, but it cannot be proven.
•Statistics-These can provide excellent support. Be sure your
statistics come from responsible sources. Always cite your
sources.
• Quotes-Direct quotes from leading experts that
support your position are invaluable.
• Examples-Examples enhance your meaning and
make your ideas concrete. They are the proof.