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Different Paragraph Types





Analogy Argumentation Cause and Effect



Paragraph Types

Classification



Compare and Contrast

In this section we will look at the different places that the topic sentence may be placed in a paragraph. We will look at the different effects that this creates and how and when they can be utilized.

Conclusions Course Notes



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1 - The direct paragraph

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Features – this is where the topic sentence is placed at the beginning of the paragraph.

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Purpose – this is probably the most common type of paragraph used as it presents something clearly and directly to the reader.



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Recent findings by scientists have shown that the moon is made of chocolate. Space probes have dug below the thin rock surface to discover and thick chocolate core to the moon. Initial estimates put the thickness of this layer of chocolate at over several hundred metres thick in places.

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Let us look at this paragraph and see how the different elements function together.

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Recent findings by scientists have shown that the moon is made of chocolate. (this is the topic sentence of the paragraph. It is placed in the first sentence of the paragraph so as to immediately tell the reader what it is that you are going to discuss).

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Space probes have dug below the thin rock surface to discover and thick chocolate core to the moon. Initial estimates put the thickness of this layer of chocolate at over several hundred metres thick in places. (this and any more information that is to follow in the paragraph acts as development of the initial topic sentence. Here the paragraph is developed by supplying further information and details connected with the topic sentence).

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2 - The turnabout paragraph

Features – you may start with a problematizing phrase such as “many people believe that” or “some authorities have stated that.” Such phrases indicate to your reader that you may not agree with the statement that is to follow. Then you state a point of view that you do not agree with. Next, follows a contrasting connective, such as however, which indicates that what is to follow is the point that you are actually making and this usually acts as the topic sentence of the paragraph.

Purpose – this is good to use when you are trying to persuade the reader, when you are dealing with a common misconception or when you are trying to get the reader to think on an issue. It also shows the reader that you have done research and are aware of other arguments. This makes your conclusions seem more reasonable.

Example:

Many people believe that the moon is made of green cheese. However, recent discoveries by scientists have shown that the moon is actually made of chocolate. (The paragraph will then develop the point that the moon is made of chocolate)

Let us look at the beginning of this paragraph and see how the different elements function together.

Many people believe that (this is the problematizing phrase which shows the reader that you do not agree with the following statement)

the moon is made of green cheese. (this is the opinion contrary to your own. You are showing the reader that you are aware of other opinions)

However, (this is a contrasting connective which indicates to your reader that unlike what you have previously said you actually agree with what is to follow)

recent discoveries by scientists have shown that the moon is actually made of chocolate. (this is the point that you are actually making and therefore acts as the topic sentence for the paragraph).

3 - The climactic paragraph

Features – this is where the topic sentence is placed at the end of the paragraph. Usually the paragraph begins with lines of arguments or proofs that results in a conclusion stated at the end. It is this conclusion that acts as the topic sentence.

Purpose – this is persuasive as it follows the way that we usually think where we examine the facts first and then we draw conclusions afterwards.

Example:

Rock samples taken from beneath the moons surface have revealed a brown substance that appeared familiar yet fantastic to scientists at NASA. Laboratory tests found that the samples were in fact made up of trace elements including milk, sugar and cocoa. Astonished scientists then tasted these moon samples to reveal startling information. The moon is made of chocolate.

Let us look at this paragraph and see how the different elements function together.

Rock samples taken from beneath the moons surface have revealed a brown substance that appeared familiar yet fantastic to scientists at NASA. Laboratory tests found that the samples were in fact made up of trace elements including milk, sugar and cocoa. Astonished scientists then tasted these moon samples to reveal startling information.

(the beginning part of the paragraph shows the evidence that we must consider or be made aware of in order to come to the seemingly inevitable conclusion).

The moon is made of chocolate. (the evidence that has been revealed before hand leads us to this conclusion. This conclusion is stated at the end of the paragraph and functions as the topic sentence for the paragraph).

4 - The interrogative paragraph

Features – the paragraph usually starts with a question. The answer to this question usually comes in the sentence following the question, or thereabouts. The answer to the question usually acts as the topic sentence for the paragraph. It is also possible to present the evidence to be considered in answering the question first and then conclude the paragraph with the answer to the question. This would result in placing the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph.

Purpose – this can achieve a similar function as the turnabout paragraph in that it tries to get the reader thinking by getting them to consider a question. However, the format of this type of paragraph may act with greater subtlety than the turnabout paragraph.

Example:

Have you ever wondered what the moon is made of? Well finally this age old question seems to have been answered by NASA scientists recently when they said that the moon was made of chocolate. Samples taken from the moon’s surface have recently been brought back to earth and examined by a team of leading experts. After months of repeated tests the findings were finally revealed to the world’s media at a recent press conference.

Let us look at this paragraph and see how the different elements function together.

Have you ever wondered what the moon is made of? (this is the initial question that hopefully gets the reader thinking)

Well finally this age old question seems to have been answered by NASA scientists recently when they said that the moon was made of chocolate. (this is the answer to the question and so acts as the topic sentence for the paragraph).

Samples taken from the moon’s surface have recently been brought back to earth and examined by a team of leading experts. After months of repeated tests the findings were finally revealed to the world’s media at a recent press conference. (this is the development of the topic sentence, which in this case is the background or context for the revealing of the information in the topic sentence). Course Notes Comments (0) You don't have permission to comment on this page.

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