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.

Lecture Summary: Main Ideas and Supporting Sentences

The Immune System

The immune system uses a complex and remarkable communications network to defend the body against infection. Inside the body, millions and millions of cells are organized into sets and subsets. These cells pass information back and forth like clouds of bees swarming around a hive. The result is a sensitive system of checks and balances that produce a prompt, appropriate, and effective immune response.

The topic of this paragraph is “the immune system.” But “the immune system” is not the main idea. The main idea is what the writer is saying about the immune system. Here, the main idea is expressed in the first sentence: The immune system uses a complex and remarkable communications network to defend the body against infection.

Topic/Subject: What the passage is about.
Main idea: The overall fact, feeling, or thought a writer wants to convey about his or her subject.

Much of the writing you will see in textbooks will follow a very basic pattern of general idea + specific support. That is, the writer will state the main idea he or she wants to convey about the topic and then provide support for that idea, usually in the form of specific facts and details.

In the immune system paragraph, for example, the first sentence states the main idea—a general claim about the subject. The rest of the sentences offer specific facts and details to “prove” that the immune system is a complex and effective communication network.

DISTINGUISHING MAIN IDEAS FROM SUPPORTING IDEAS

If you’re not sure whether something is a main idea or a supporting idea, ask yourself the following question: Is the sentence making a general statement, or is it providing specific information? In the paragraph below, for example, most of the sentences (except one) are too specific to be the main idea of the paragraph. Only one sentence—the first—is general enough to serve as an umbrella or net for the whole paragraph.

Snakes

Many people are afraid of snakes, but most snakes aren’t as dangerous as people think they are. There are more than 2,500 different species of snakes around the world. Only a small percentage of those species are poisonous, and only a few species have venom strong enough to kill a human being. Furthermore, snakes bite only 1,000–2,000 people in the United States each year, and only ten of those bites (that’s less than 1%) result in death. Statistically, many other animals are far more dangerous than snakes. In fact, in this country, more people die from dog bites each year than from snakes.

Questions and Answers: What is a Paragraph? – Dec 8

Students in the “Creative Writing” course, ask any questions you have concerning your coursework in the comment section of this post. I will update “Writing Tips” every week.