Paragraphs
Do you know when to begin a new paragraph?
in fiction
in non-fiction
when we go on to the next stage in a story.
when we begin
writing about a new topic.
Fiction
Read the extract on the next slide, taken from Ryland’s
Footsteps by Sally Prue (OUP, 2003). Rye has just been
burnt by a fire lizard. Can you identify why the writer has In fiction we often start a new paragraph when:
we go forward in time
we go backward in time (e.g. a flashback) when we change the place where the action is happening
a different person gives their point of view
Ryland’s Footsteps
Kris shoved Rye’s hand in the pool of water that was cupped between the leaf-fronds of the giant fern. As soon as Rye’s hands were in it, the
burning began to subside. Kris left Rye squatting there and went away to find some pithy water-absorbing leaves that made a dressing good enough to get Rye home. Kris was quite matter-of-fact about it all; he even failed to say I told you so.
At home it became clear that the pale goo the fire-lizard had exuded had welded itself to Rye’s skin. There were burning blisters all over the palms of his hands.
‘Some sort of salamander, by the sound of it.’ announced the Governor, briskly, as Mum bathed and anointed and wailed over Rye. ‘They’ll have to be exterminated of course. Where did you find them?’
Rye thought about the fire-lizard. About its golden eyes and
elegant tail. And Kris had said that some of them were twice as big, twice as old.
He made some vague reply. © Sally Prue, 2003
change of place
different person’s point of view
Rye’s own thoughts
Non-fiction
Read an extract from a film review on the next slide. How would you divide it into paragraphs?
In non-fiction we often start a new paragraph to:
describe the next stage in a process or sequence give a detailed example of what we are writing about
make a new point within a topic
compare things (for example, the qualities of two makes of DVD player)
Film review
The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers
So, was The Two Towers as good as The Fellowship of the Ring?
Millions have flocked to see the second film in the trilogy during its first week in UK cinemas. The story begins where the last film left off. Frodo and Sam are travelling to Mordor to destroy the Ring and Gollum accompanies them. Meanwhile Aragorn and his companions are trying to rescue Merry and Pippin who have been kidnapped by orcs. Many felt the film was simply too long. It
took a while to really develop, and it was difficult to follow the three simultaneous adventures. However, the special effects are just as good as in the first film. The computer-generated Gollum was particularly brilliant, while the battle scene was one of the best audiences will see. The acting, in general, …
Do you agree? Why?
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It is often useful to begin paragraphs with a topic
sentence. This prepares the reader for the main idea(s) in the paragraph.
They also help us to find a particular section again. If we know what part we wish to re-read, we can skim down the page reading the topic sentences.
Another way we can write a topic sentence is by asking a rhetorical question. We begin by asking a question and then the rest of the paragraph will answer it.
For example,
So, was The Two Towers as good as The Fellowship
of the Ring?
So, why did Hitler invade Russia?
What is the best way to groom a pony?
Why is smoking bad for our health?
Developing paragraphs
You can develop a paragraph by:
including several sentences which give lots of description
supporting some of your ideas with illustrations and examples.
Once you have decided what a paragraph will be about you can begin writing it. Good writing aims for a mixture of
Paragraph structure
Imagine you read this paragraph in a holiday brochure.
What is wrong with this paragraph?
Spain is a good place to visit. Lots of people holiday there. It is a hot country. There are lots of beaches. The food is good. The people are friendly. It takes two hours to get there.
Rewrite the paragraph varying sentence structure.
Have you thought of visiting Spain? Lots of people spend their summer holiday in this hot country. There are lots of beautiful beaches, delicious food and friendly locals. All only two hours flight away!
There is no variation in sentence structure – each short sentence makes a single
statement.
Activity
Here is a topic sentence from an essay on embarrassment. Write a few sentences to expand the paragraph by giving a detailed example of the idea contained in the topic
sentence. It doesn’t matter if this situation has never happened to you. Just invent the details.
Here’s another topic sentence. This paragraph explains your main point in more detail to help the reader
understand what you are talking about.
Can you continue with the paragraph?
The essay is on school uniform.
Activity
Activity
Imagine you are writing an essay about the differences between junior and secondary schools. You have come to the point where you wish to compare the timetables
(subjects and subject teachers).
Paragraphs need to be organized into a logical sequence.
If you are telling a story or describing a sequence (e.g. a science experiment or a recipe) then the order is provided by the sequence of events.
If you are producing non-chronological writing you have to decide on the best arrangement.
Activity
You are going to write a letter to the author of a novel you have been reading at home or in class.
Brainstorm all the things you wish to include in the letter. Don’t forget you will need to introduce yourself and think of a way to conclude the letter.
Now arrange the ideas in a sequence. This will provide the paragraph plan for your letter. Simply number the
ideas in the order which you think works best.
Then write the letter.
