Understanding Paragraphs: Structure, Types, and Writing Techniques
A paragraph is a unit of speech in written text that expresses an idea or an argument, or reproduces the words of a speaker. It consists of a set of sentences that have some thematic unity or that, without one, are set together. A component of the text in its appearance, it begins with a capital letter and ends at a stop. It consists of several related sentences on the same subtopic, one of which expresses the main idea.
Main Idea
A paragraph consists of a main clause that can be easily distinguished since the bulk of statements depend on it. We can say then that the main idea has an essential meaning in the paragraph. The topic sentence may appear in the text implicitly or explicitly. When the main clause is implied, it does not appear in writing in the paragraph and should be deduced. In contrast, if it is explicit, we find it written and can be found at the beginning, middle, or end of the paragraph.
Secondary Ideas
These are linked to the main idea since they depend on it and help refine the thinking that is going to be developed. They are usually descriptive details, examples, or circumstances of time and place that serve to reinforce, support, justify, or clarify the main idea.
Types of Paragraphs
- Narrative: Also called chronological, it consists of a sequence of statements that do not require collateral or demonstration of their skills. It is typical of a story or a news article in which facts are stated in chronological order. Connectors may appear, such as “after,” “then,” “a month ago,” “to start,” “then eventually,” but the exposure of the sequence of events more often depends on its position in the text.
- Descriptive: These are presented through the words’ sensory-motor ability of a human being. A descriptive paragraph encourages the use of the word and presents a sensory image to readers. Through a descriptive paragraph, an author uses all their senses to delineate the attributes of objects and events perceived. The more detail the author uses in their delineation of what is perceived, the better the image for the reader as described above.
- Argumentative: Its aim is to express opinions or to refute them in order to persuade a receiver. The author’s purpose may be to prove or demonstrate a thought (or argument), or to refute the contrary opinion, or to persuade or dissuade the receiver on certain behaviors, events, or ideas.
- Expository: This allows you to explain or further develop the topic being presented. These tend to be more extensive and abundant, depending on the complexity of the topic or concept you are explaining.
- Comparison or Contrast: It consists of comparing objects or ideas in order to differentiate or state their similarities. Some expressions of this paragraph are “compared to” or “unlike.”
- Enumeration: Situations are listed so that we go from the most important to the least important.
Emphasis in Reading
This is a reading technique that aims to identify and organize the most important elements of a text to study and learn them. It is a supplement for reading and understanding, and the basis for its organization into instruments of personal synthesis.