MECHANICS OF WRITING

(Paragraphing)
C u l l e d w i t h a u t h o r s’ p e r m i s s i o n f o r p e d a g o g i c a l p u r p o s e s f r o m

PRESENT-DAY COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN ENGLISH

A COURSE TEXT FOR TERTIARY SCHOOLS
(Undergoing publication processes) ISBN 13: 9798335254892
By Kasimawo R Stephen, & Ogedengbe E Blessing
Understanding Present-Day Use of English – A Course Text for Tertiary Schools. (2015) ISBN: 978-978-950-353-7
By Kasimawo R Stephen
&

Advanced Communication
– Best Practices in International Business English (2022)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QMPDDYS ISBN 13: 979-8-40-433834-8
by Kasimawo R Stephen PhD Eng UNIZIK (in view)
MA English (Lang) Bayero, BA Hons English (Lang) LASU, PGDip TESL Bayero, 120Hr TEFL PDI Hampshire
(08038023957)
CREATING A PROFESSIONAL PARAGRAPH

As with sentences, so it is with paragraphs; the most important quality here is ‘unity’. A paragraph should have
only one theme. This is referred to as “topic sentence”. This subject may be stated or implied in the opening
sentence and then expanded, qualified or illustrated in succeeding ones. This depends on the choice of the
communicator.
Sometimes the so-called topic sentence comes at the end of the paragraph, to sum up what has gone before.
Too many ideas thrown together in a paragraph confuse the reader. We need to remember that both the
sentence and paragraph structure contribute equally with the choice of words to the clarity of what we write.
The paragraph is the smallest unit of a composition. It is the basic unit into which a composition or an essay can
be divided. A composition is a logical conglomeration of paragraphs intended to achieve a purpose. A
paragraph is created during a process called paragraphing. Paragraphing is concerned with the weaving of
cohesive sentences in a logical order. A sentence is said to be cohesive if its grammatical elements connect
semantically with other grammatical elements in surrounding sentences.
According to Kasimawo (2015), paragraphing is the process of dividing and structuring an essay
into paragraphs. Paragraphs exist as a visual way to separate the main idea in an essay and are
therefore essential to establishing a clear flow of ideas within a piece of writing. Indeed, the reason
writers do not structure the essay as one long paragraph is obvious: doing so would be immensely
confusing for the reader and would clutter his/her mind with too many ideas. Thus, effective paragraphing
and paragraph construction ensures that the main idea in an essay are clearly separated, logically
organized, and explicitly connected to the central argument of the essay. The ultimate
goal is to create an effective essay — one that is clear and reader-friendly.
TYPES OF PARAGRAPH
There are three types of paragraphs. They are explained below.
1. Introductory paragraph: This is the paragraph that begins an
essay/write-up. It introduces the purpose of the entire essay/write-up. It also
contains the stance from which the writer wishes to approach the subject matter
of the essay/write-up. The writer may choose to highlight the points to be
developed in the body of the essay. Styles vary. A good introductory
paragraph captures the reader’s interest and sustains it. It makes
the reader to be eager to know more about what the writer has written.
2. Transitional Paragraph: This paragraph transits ideas within the body
of the essay/write-up. It contains the ideas presented in the essay and
links it to another paragraph. This is why it is referred to as a transitional
paragraph. It contains just one idea along with supporting details and
relevant instances.
3. Concluding Paragraph: This is the paragraph that concludes an
essay/write-up. It contains a concluding/categorical statement that sums
up or re-emphasizes the writer’s argument/point/view on the subject of
the discourse.
COMPONENTS OF THE PARAGRAPH

Paragraphs generally include the following elements:

1. Topic Sentence: This is the sentence that contains the idea or point expressed in a paragraph. A paragraph is
expected to contain just one idea. This sentence often comes at the beginning of the paragraph. The
writer may choose to place it anywhere in the paragraph depending on his choice of style.
2. Supporting Sentences: These are sentences that help buttress/ explain the point given in the topic sentence.
The rest of the paragraph should be devoted to explaining or developing the main idea of the paragraph. Give
examples and evidence to support your point.
3. Unity and Coherence: The supporting sentences and the topic sentence in a well-written paragraph are
expected to be logically
connected. They are to express and buttress the same idea and not otherwise. They are to be united in a logical
flow of thoughts and ideas.
4. Relevance to the Thesis: Each paragraph in an essay should be an extension of the central idea
I n the composition. This makes the paragraph relevant and makes the entire composition logical.
5. Transition: This is the quality or feature of the paragraph that prepares the mind of the reader for what
to meet next. The paragraph should be written in such a way that ideas and flow of thought and meaning
would connect sequentially from one paragraph to the other. It usually helps your reader follow the
flow of your argument if you include a transitional phrase or word at the beginning of each paragraph or
the end of the preceding paragraph. (For further reading on paragraphing see Kasimawo 2015 and
2020)
ORDER IN THE PARAGRAPH

Order is the arrangement of the information in the paragraph. The order to be deployed will be
determined by the purpose of the essay concerned. Information can be arranged in the paragraph
in any of the following ways:

Spatial order: general-to-specific order

Chronological order: specific-to-general order, and
Order of importance: question-to-answer order
Spatial order means that information is presented through a space arrangement such as left to
right, top to bottom, east to west, north to south, etc. Spatial order occurs prominently in the
descriptive essay. The chronological order presents events according to the time of their
occurrence. It is common in narrative essay. Order of importance tends to build suspense in the
essay by bring in less important bits of information before the more important ones. For a
particular effect, however, the order may be reversed.
The general-to-specific order begins with a general view or statement and goes to give
the specific examples. On the other hand, triggers the presentation of the topic sentence at
the beginning of the paragraph. It brings in specific examples and ends in generalised
statements. It presents the topic sentence at the end.
The question-to-answer order presents general questions to be answered at the beginning.
The remaining parts of the paragraph provide answers to the questions presented
(Ogbulogo, 2001).
METHODS OF DEVELOP PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
The methods of paragraph development fall into the following four groups:
1. Description: A paragraph developed by detail, the topic sentence is supported by factual material, either
sense impressions or conceptual facts. Almost all writing has some detail in it. The descriptive mode takes the
whole (relationship, place, process, etc.), breaks or divides it into parts or events, and treats each separately.
The basic objective of descriptive writing is the depiction of the appearance of people, places, and things.
The writer helps recreate for the reader sense impressions (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) that have
been experienced or observed by the writer. Keep in mind that the purpose of the writing and the audience
must be determined: to focus on the writer’s experiences is the expressive aim, to inform or explain information
is the expository aim, and to persuade or argue the reader to one side of an issue is the persuasive aim.
2. Narrative: The basic objective of narrative writing is the recreation of a sequence of events. The elements
of a good narrative are characters, a natural time sequence, plot, dialogue, and a point worth considering.
3. Evaluation: The basis of an evaluative paragraph or essay is to put a value on something (literature, drama,
objects, food, wine, movies, etc.) To begin an evaluation the writer must first set the criteria on
which the object is being judged.
4. Classification: The classification paragraph is usually expository and is a process of grouping terms
for ideas that are related in some specific way. Other methods of development help the writer to
further organize his/her ideas.
5. The Cause and Effect Method: Using this method, the writer cites various possible causes of given anomaly
and along with associated effects on those affected. The effects can be mentioned in relation to a given
individual, a group of people, a community, a state or a nation, a continent, or the world at large. This
method carefully scrutinizes the relationship between cause and effect.
6. The Analysis or Process Analysis Method: This method of developing a paragraph is the process of separating an
object or concept into its parts and then explaining how they are related to the whole. The functional analysis is
usually a sequence of operations or actions by which something is done or made (how to do it).
7. The Example or Illustration Method: Examples and illustrations are used in almost all types or modes of writing to help
support points that the writer is making. The example paragraph reaches a conclusion (topic sentence) as a result of
observing a number of examples and then forms a generalization called induction. One of the most effective ways to
support the validity of a conclusion is to relate a few typical examples that led you to such a conclusion in the first place.
An example is a specific detail used to attempt to make an abstract idea concrete or a general idea specific.
8. The Comparison or Contrast Method: Another method of developing paragraphs is through comparison or contrast.
Comparison shows similarities while a contrast shows differences. The main reason for using this method is to explain an
unfamiliar object or idea by comparing or contrasting it to a familiar object or idea. The writer may develop the
paragraph or essay by first discussion all of one subject and then fully presenting the second subject, or the writer might
discuss one like or different trait with each subject and then move to other characteristics, thus discussing both subjects
together. A third method might be to present all of the ways that the subjects are alike and then discuss all of the
ways that the subjects are different.
9. Problem/Solution Method: In a problem/solution paragraph or essay the writer begins by explaining the problem
(causes and effects may be used) and then presents a solution or several solutions. If the writer is trying to
convince the reader of a best solution, the aim is persuasive.
10. Definition Method: A paragraph that is developed by definition answers the question ‘What is it?’
Usually expository or informational, the definition may be one sentence or extended to be a paragraph,
theme, or even a book. It is usually combined with other methods of development. The definition is
intended to clarify meaning; thus, it should identify essential qualities and limit the term’s meaning.
11. Facts, Figures or Statistics, and Quotations Method: Using these forms of detail will help develop many topics. It
is important to remember that they should be accurate and a source should be given.