What is Paragraph?

WHAT IS PARAGRAPH?

Paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic or one main idea. In academic area, it is recommended to write between 6-12 sentences. Read the sample paragraph below.

My Hometown

(1) My hometown, Rattanakiri, is interesting for two reasons. (2) First, it is the natural resources. (3) It is rich in mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. (4) For examples, there is a beautiful lake called Yeak Loam which has clear sky blue water and is surrounded by forest. (5) There are waterfalls which are not far but easy to access from the town. (6) There are national park where tourists can experience forest and wildlife. (7) Second, it is people and culture. (8) The province is home of some ten ethnic groups. (9) Each group has unique language and culture. (10) Therefore, how people live together is something amazing to learn and understand. (11) In short, natural resources and its people and culture make it an attractive place. 

All of the sentences is about my hometown. The sentences explain how interesting the hometown is.


CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH

A good paragraph should have unity and cohesion.

[1] Unity 

The paragraph should be about only one clear topic or main idea. All of the sentences must explain or develop this topic.  The unity helps readers to understand the paragraph better.

[2] Coherence

In addition to unity, all of the sentences in a paragraph should have relationship, that is coherence. To make the sentences cohesive to one another, a writer need to use transitional words. The transitional words used to link ideas or sentences. Here are some transitional words and their uses:

• Introducing examples: for example, for instance, namely, such as... 
• Showing addition: and, in addition, as well as, also, too, furthermore, moreover, apart from, besides ...
• Making conclusion: in short, in brief, in summary, to summarize, all in all, to conclude, in conclusion ...
• Showing chronological order: at the beginning, after that, at the end, firstly, secondly, finally, lastly...
• Showing reasons:  due to / due to the fact that, owing to / owing to the fact that, because, because of , since, as .... 
• Showing result: therefore, so, consequently, this means that, as a result .... 
• Showing contrast: but, however, although / even though, despite / despite the fact that, in spite of / in spite of the fact that, nevertheless, nonetheless, while, whereas...

TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS

There are four main types of paragraph: descriptive, persuasive, narrative, and expository paragraph.

[1] Descriptive 

It is a paragraph that describes people, place, or things.

[2] Persuasive 

It is a paragraph that is aimed to persuade the readers about something (cause, effect, argument...).

[3] Narrative 

It is a paragraph that narrates a story or events.

[4] Expository 

It is a paragraph that explores about something (scientific experiment, analysis ...).