Paragraph Writing

Preface

A paragraph is a group of sentences related to one topic or developing one point. These sentences are closely related in meaning and are arranged in a systematic manner. A paragraph may stand independently, that is, it may be a short composition complete in itself. It may also be a part of a longer composition like an essay. The essential features of a good paragraph are: unity, coherence, emphasis and variety.

1.0Value Points for Writing a Paragraph

Unity

• Unity means that a paragraph should deal with only one central theme, one central thought. We can achieve unity by stating the theme of the paragraph in a sentence right in its beginning. We may call this sentence the 'Topic sentence'. For example, our opening sentence may be; Anup is the funniest boy I have ever known. In the rest of the paragraph, I have only to show how Anup is a funny boy.

Coherence

• Coherence means that all the sentences in a paragraph should be well connected to each other as well as to the central theme, it suggests that each sentence should naturally follow the previous sentence and should naturally lead to the next one. If we write in a systematic manner, we should be able to achieve coherence.

Emphasis

• We may be including in our paragraph a few ideas or a few events related to the central theme. These ideas or events cannot be equally important. Some of them will be more important than the others. Emphasis means that we should give each idea or event as much importance as it deserves in relation to the central theme.

Variety

• When we talk of variety in a paragraph, it is not variety in the theme. We have already seen that a paragraph deals with only one theme. There should be variety in sentence construction so that the paragraph does not become dull.

If you have to write a paragraph on a given subject, you can proceed as follows:

• Think about the subject given to you and jot down all the points as they come to your mind. See that all the points are strictly related to the subject.
• Arrange these points in a systematic manner.
• If you think it proper, begin your paragraph with a topic sentence suggesting the central theme.
• Develop your subject in well-connected sentences.
• Give variety to your sentences. They should not be all too long or all too short. They should have different patterns.
• The last sentence of your paragraph should give the impression that you have clearly said all that you wanted to say. Try to make your last sentence as impressive as you can.
• If a word limit is given for your paragraph, do not exceed it.

Solved Examples

• Write a paragraph on 'Do One Thing at a Time' in 100 - 120 words.

Do One Thing at a Time

If we do too many things together, we become less focused and ineffective. We also lose out on the joy of the activity. Whether we have to talk on the phone, play with friends, wash dishes, clean the house, or read a magazine, we should decide on a block of time and take up just one thing at a time. This will enable us to have the right focus and concentration. The advantages of such an exercise shall be two-fold. Since we are fully focused on the task, we shall get absorbed and interested in it, so we shall enjoy whatever we do. The second advantage is that we shall do the task quickly and efficiently. Our skills will increase generally in all areas of our life - writing, reading, cleaning the house, and speaking on the phone. All that we need to do is to decide on our choice and focus our attention on one thing at a time.

• Write a paragraph on 'Little Acts of Kindness Make the Sum of Life' in 100 - 120 words.

Little Acts of Kindness Make the Sum of Life

Mother Teresa once said. "We cannot do great things on this earth. We can only do little things with great Love." If we look around, we shall find unending opportunities of doing service - of being helpful. There are hungry people in the streets, people who can neither read nor write, elderly people whose loneliness could get a break with some company, streets with litter, and thousands of other little things that need to be done. All we need is to focus on some little acts of kindness which we can do right now. A small gift of volunteer work for the needy makes the sum of life. We get satisfaction as also the joy of being useful and serviceable to others. We don't have to go very far to practise random acts of kindness. If we decide on making an illiterate person a literate one, we shall find one available just in our own neighbourhood. Several occasions for personal service show up even when we are busy with our own routine. Thus if we engage ourselves in doing something - any thing in respect of service to society - we shall feel the joy of giving and will help make our world certainly a bit brighter.

• Write a paragraph on 'The Joy of Being out on an Excursion' in 100 - 120 words.

The Joy of Being out on an Excursion

An excursion is a short trip taken for pleasure. It is essential for schools to provide excursions, tours and trips not only to give children experience of direct knowledge but also the joy of being out together with their peers. It breaks the monotony of the classroom. Besides, it gives us an opportunity to explore and enjoy personally the curiosities of the place visited. India is rich in places of historical, religious, industrial and scientific interest. Besides, she has nature's bounties in plenty spread all over. The list of available places and sports can never be exhausted. It is one thing to read about a place, its people and their mode of living. But it is quite another to see them actually and get to know their ways through a personal experience. Besides, there is the thrill of being together with others of our age and enjoy recreation with a blend of instruction. Here we are on our own moving about in an environment of freedom to taste the joys of our own discoveries and explorations. And if our movement entails a night's stay, we share with our friends the joys of corporate living. Our adventures as well as misadventures become a part of our unforgettable experience and we live and relive them with similar thrills and shocks.

2.0Let's Recall

• A paragraph is a group of sentences related to one topic or developing one point.
• Points to be kept in mind for writing a paragraph should be written as they come to mind.
• All the points should be strictly related to the subject.
• These points should be arranged in a systematic manner.
• The paragraph should be started with a topic sentence suggesting the central theme.
• The subject should be developed in well-connected sentences.
• Do not forget giving variety to your sentences. They should not be all too long or all too short. They should have different patterns.
• The last sentence of your paragraph should give the impression that you have clearly said all that you wanted to say.
• Try to make your last sentence as impressive as you can.
• If a word limit is given for your paragraph, do not exceed it.