Paragraph structure
A
paragraph is a group of sentence and that the first sentence of this group is
indented, that is, it begins a little bit more to the right of the margin than
the rest of the sentences in this group. However, it is not enough to say that
a paragraph is a group of sentences. Let’s see the following parts of a
paragraph.
1. Main
Idea
All the
sentences in a paragraph should be about one thing, namely the main idea of the
paragraph. The main idea is usually contained in the topic sentence. The topic
sentence can be at the beginning or at the end of a paragraph.
2. Supporting
Details
Supporting
Details are any relevant pieces of information that give further information
about the main idea.
3. Concluding
Sentence
To confirm the
coherence between the main idea and supporting details, the concluding sentence
normally restates it. Note: not all paragraphs have concluding sentences.
Sometimes concluding sentence is omitted.
Example 1 :
There
are many things people can do at the beach. They can lie under the shade of the
trees. They can also swim and surf. The more energetic people can join a game
of beach volley ball. Children can build sand castles.
Topic : beach
Topic sentence :
there are many things people can do at the beach
Supporting details :
o Lie
under the trees
o Swim
and surf
o Join
a game of beach volley ball
o Build
sand castle
Why I Like Yogya
There
are several reasons why I like Yogya. First, the people are very friendly. They
always greet and smile at the comers. Second, if I am hungry I can just go to
one of the food stalls along the side of the street. Besides the dish is quite
delicious, the price is relatively cheap. Third, many people go to Yogya for
recreation. There are many places of interest that I can visit in Yogya like
Borobudur temple, Prambanan temple, Parang Tritis beach, etc. Many things about
Yogya make me forget to go home when I stay there.
Topic : Yogya
Topic sentence : There are several reasons why
I like Yogya
Supporting details :
o The
people are friendly
o If
I am hungry I can just go to one of the food stalls along the side of the
street
o The
dish is quite delicious
o The
price is relatively cheap
o There
are many places of interest that I can visit in Yogya like Borobudur temple,
Prambanan temple, Parang Tritis beach, etc.
Introduction to the Types of Paragraph
Based
on the content of the paragraph there are some types of paragraphs namely :
1. Descriptive
2. Narrative
3. Persuasive
4. Expository
5. Argumentative
1.
Descriptive
Through
description, a writer helps the reader use the sense of feeling, seeing,
hearing, smelling, and tasting to experience what the writer experiences. Description
helps the reader more clearly understand the people, places, and things about
which the writer is writing. We can find in newspaper, magazine, books, and
most others form of written communication.
A descriptive paragraph
o Describes
o Gives
impressions, not definition
o Shows
the reader
o Creates
a sensory *image in the reader’s mind
Study the following descriptive
paragraph
At the bus shelter
It’s
ten o’clock in the morning. An elderly man is sitting on the bench. He is
reading a newspaper. Next to him is a younger woman; perhaps she is his
daughter. She is just staring at nothing. Nearby, a young mother is trying to
control her two small sons. The children are yelling and screaming for the
candy.
Grammar focus:
The use of present continues
tense
To talk about the progressive
activities we use the present continues tense
S + BE + V-ing
2.
Narrative
Through narration, a writer tells
a story. A story has characters, a setting, a time, a problem, and attempts at
solving problems, and solution to the problem. Types of narration include short
story, novels, and new stories, as well as a large part of our everyday social
interchange in the form of letter and conversation.
Read and study the paragraph
below.
Sarah Meirizka Herdiany Sechan
has a lot of experiences. Born in 1974, Sarah spent her childhood in many
cities around the world – including pensylvania, U.S.A, and London, U.K. Her
family then settled in New York, where Sarah completed high school. After she
finished high school, She worked as a radio announcer, a video jockey on MTV,
and managing editor for Cosmo Girl.
Grammar focus :
The use of simple past
To talk about things, activities,
or events in the past we use the simple past tense telling the activities,
experiences, or events in the past.
S+ V2
3.
Argumentative
Argumentative
paragraph is used to persuade and to convince. It is closely related to
exposition and is often found combined with it. Argumentation is used to make a
case or to prove or disapprove of a statement or preposition.
Study the following argumentative
paragraph :
Most people in big cities are not
disciplined. There are many examples of this. First of all, many people don’t
like to queue up because they always want to be the first in line. They want to
do everything quickly so that they can do other things. Second, they are not
disciplined when they drive. They are reckless and dangerous driver because they
cut in front of other drivers and often ignore traffic signs. They do this so
that they can get to their destination faster. Finally, people throw their
garbage everywhere, which makes the city dirty and smelly. So, it is clear that
people in big cities really lack discipline.
Topic sentence : most people in big cities are
not disciplined
Supporting details :
o Don’t
like to queue up because they always want to be the first in line
o Reckless
and dangerous driver. They cut in front of other drivers and often ignore
traffic signs.
o Throw
their garbage everywhere, which makes the city dirty and smelly.
Concluding sentence : people in big cities really lack of
discipline.
4.
Persuasive
Persuasive paragraph is closely
related to expository. The paragraph is purposed to persuade the readers buying
the products or doing what the writer wants. It is usually used for
advertisement.
Read and study the following
paragraph.
HAVING PROBLEM WITH
YOUR PRONOUNCIATION ?
NEED A LOT OF TIME TO
LOOK UP THE MEANING OF THE WORDS ?
WE HAVE JUST WHAT YOU
NEED
For
language students, an electronic dictionary is a really useful gadget. It is advantageous in their study
because it can perform many tasks. First, this device helps students find the
meaning of the words. Second, this electronic dictionary also carries out other
tasks, such as pronouncing words and giving synonyms. Some electronic
dictionaries even feature other games. Another advantage of using electronic
dictionary it its practically. It comes in handy. It can be carried around
everywhere you go. It is not heavy. The design of the dictionary is stylish .
the students may choose the design that they like. So, what are you waiting for
? Go for it.
Title : Having problem with your
pronounciation ?
Need a lot of time to look up the meaning of
the words ?
We have just what you need
Introduction : for language students,
an electronic dictionary is a really useful gadget.
Topic sentence : it is advantageous in their
study because it can perform many tasks.
Supporting details :
o This
device helps students find the meaning of the words
o This
electronic dictionary also carries out other tasks, such as pronouncing words
and giving synonyms.
o Some
electronic dictionaries even feature other games.
o It
comes in handy.
o The
design of the dictionary is stylish.
Concluding sentence : So, what are you waiting for ? Go for it
How to write a persuasive
paragraph
1. Clearly
state your opinion in a complete sentence.
2. Adequately
provide details (facts, examples, reasons, etc) to support your opinion.
3. List
down the details
4. Arrange
the details in a logical order
5. Use
transitional markers; first, second, third, besides that, finally, ...
Grammar focus :
The use of simple present tense
to tell the condition or present situation (besides habitual action or
routine).
