Lecture Summary: Types of Paragraphs

When writing a particular kind of paragraph, we must use the conventions of form associated with that paragraph type. If we use the wrong tense or address forms, or worse, mix them, we risk confusing our readers about our intention.

Now, we will go over the rules of the different types of paragraphs we have looked at so far. First, the process paragraph:
 

Process Paragraphs.

Subject Form

Normally when writing a sentence we must follow the structure:

SUBJECT – VERB – OBJECT.

However, in a process paragraph we are instructing or giving directions to the reader on how to complete a task. For this purpose we use the imperative form, which removes the subject of the sentence, beginning with the verb.

VERB – OBJECT

So, we write:

Slice [verb] the vegetables [object].

We do not write:

You [subject] slice [v] the vegetables [o].

Or:

I [s] sliced [v] the vegetables [o].

You can, and should, add details to your instructions:

Slice [v] the vegetables [o] thinly [adverb].

Using adverbs and adjectives to give more detail to your instructions ensures that the reader will perform the process you are describing well. Good process writers give as much detail as possible.

If you feel that you must refer to the subject in your sentence, make sure you refer to them in the Second Person (“You”).

First Person:
“I”
Second Person:
“You”
Third Person:
“He/She/ David/My Mom/The Policeman”

For example:

Be careful you do not fry the vegetables too long.

We use the second person (“You”) in a process paragraph because we are telling another person (someone who is not us) how to do something.
Simple Present Tense
In a process paragraph we use the simple present tense because we are telling the reader how to perform the process now (today), as they are reading our paragraph. We are NOT telling them how we did it in the past (yesterday). We are telling them how to do it in the future (after we have written the paragraph).
For example:

Slice the vegetables thinly [today/tomorrow]. (Process Paragraph.)

Not:

I sliced the vegetables thinly [yesterday]. (Narrative Paragraph.)

Narrative ParagraphsSubject Form
With a narrative paragraph it is conventional to write in either the First or Third Person. In the First Person the narrator (“I”) is the subject of the sentence. We therefore write “I” when referring to the subject of the narrative:
E.g.

I fell and brokemy leg. My leg was bleeding.

If, however, we are telling the story of another person (Not us), we write the narrative in the third person:

He fell and broke his leg.
Ian’s leg was bleeding.

She fell and broke her leg.
Dana’s leg was bleeding.

Past Tense

A narrative is usually telling the story of some event or events that happened in the past. We therefore write the narrative in the Past Tense:

I fell and broke my leg. (Past Tense.)

Not:

I fall and break my leg. (Simple Present Tense.

We write:

He went to hospital.

Not:

He goes to hospital.

We write:

Ellie climbed the ladder.

Not:

Ellie climbs the ladder.

Definition Paragraphs

Subject Form

A definition paragraph defines what something is. The subject of each sentence is generally the thing being described. In the first paragraph of your textbook Braille is the subject of almost every sentence because the purpose of the paragraph is to explain to us what Braille is.

Simple Present Tense

A definition sentence is written in the present tense because it is describing something that is true today. Braille is still everything it is defined as in the “Braille” paragraph, and it will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. Such facts are stated in the present tense.