Review of Paragraph
When we talk about paragraphs, we use particular language about writing you need to know. The basic unit of writing is the sentence; a paragraph is a group or cluster of sentences which develop a single idea. When we evaluate a paragraph, we evaluate its focus, unity, completeness, and coherence.
A paragraph is characterized by the following:
Focused--The paragraph has a single point. The point is limited and argumentative. By “limited,” we mean the paragraph contains a point that can be proved/supported/developed within a paragraph. By “argumentative,” we mean the paragraph has a point which is not a statement of fact, but a statement of opinion.
Unified-- All details in the paragraph relate to the point of the paragraph. A detail which does not should be deleted.
Complete--A paragraph contains sufficient detail to prove/support/develop the point.
Coherent or ordered-- The details in the paragraph are organized in a way that makes sense to the reader and supports the point. The organization is suggested by transitional words or phrases and by the logic of the detail. Methods of organization include:
•chronological
•spatial
•sequential
•logical--cause/effect; general to specific; specific to general; order of importance
Questions to Ask of Each Paragraph:
1. Does the paragraph have a clearly defined point?
2. Does each sentence support the point?
3. Is each sentence connected to the point?
4. Are there any sentences which are not relevant?
5. Is the organization of the paragraph clear to the reader?
6. Does the organization of the paragraph support the point?
Another way to think of the paragraph is the three S's: A paragraph has Substance, Structure, and Style