Paragraph Writing Tips for Beginners: Format, Rules, and Sample Paragraphs

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph is a group of sentences that fleshes out (describes) a single idea. In order for a paragraph to be effective, it must begin with a topic sentence, have sentences that support the main idea of that paragraph, and maintain a consistent flow.
An effective paragraph:

• presents a single idea
• begins with a topic sentence that introduces the single idea
• contains support in form of sentences that convey this single idea
• is strategically organized to maintain flow

 

Steps of paragraph writing

Idea Generation

Before writing the paragraph, you need to generate ideas. You can generate ideas using several ways. Here, two of the most common idea generation techniques are discussed.

Technique 1: Questioning

In questioning, you generate ideas and details by asking questions about your subject. Such questions include Why? When? Who? Where? And How? Ask as many questions as you can think of. For instance, to write a paragraph on the “Drawbacks of traveling by public bus,” we might ask questions like:

• Why do not people (people not) like to travel by public bus?
• When is traveling by public bus a problem?
• Who creates the problems?
• How can we deal with the problem?

Technique 2: Making a list

In making a list, also known as brainstorming, you collect ideas and details that relate to your subject. Pile these items up, one after another, without trying to sort out major details from minor ones or trying to put the details in any special order. Your goal is just to make a list of everything about your subject that occurs to you. For instance, to write a paragraph on the “Drawbacks of traveling by public bus,” we might make a list like the following one:

• Public buses are crowded
• Less number of seats
• Too many stoppages
• Not safe
• People coughing and sneezing
• Pick pocketing

 

Knowing the structure

A basic paragraph Structure as follows:

1. Topic sentence: one sentence*
2. Supporting Idea Sentence: one sentence *
3. Detail Sentence: one sentence *
4. Example Sentence: one sentence *
5. Concluding sentence: one sentence *

*The sentence number can vary.
Note: Word limit can vary according to the nature of the question. In general, the word limit for a paragraph is 120-160.
Explanation:

1. Writing a topic sentence

Topic Sentence

• Tells what the paragraph is about
• A topic sentence expresses a board or general idea

Example:

• Developing a good reading habit has numerous benefits improving knowledge. (Topic Sentence)
• Technology has some negative impacts on students which cannot be ignored. (Topic Sentence)

Writing Supporting Idea Sentence

Supporting Idea Sentence

• Supporting Idea Sentence is more specific than a topic sentence
• Supporting Idea Sentence supports the topic sentence

Example:

• Cultivating good reading habits can broaden one’s perspectives and enhance their understanding of the world. (Supporting Idea)
• The ease of access to smartphones, social media, and other digital platforms has made it increasingly challenging for students to stay focused on their studies. (Supporting Idea)

Writing Detail Sentence

Detail Sentence

• Detail Sentence: Explains the supporting idea

Example:

• By reading a variety of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and autobiographies, individuals can gain exposure to different perspectives and ideas, which can help them develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. (Details Sentence)
• This not only affects their academic performance but also their overall interest in learning, and to mitigate the adverse effects of technology on students, it is crucial to establish boundaries and prioritize academic goals. (Details Sentence)

Writing Example Sentence

Example Sentence:

• Example Sentence: Explains the supporting idea sentence by giving example

Example:

• Reading non-fiction books on topics like history, politics, and science can provide a deep understanding of complex subjects, while fiction books can enhance empathy and understanding of human emotions. (Example Sentence)
• Instead of completing their assignments or preparing for exams, they may find themselves spending countless hours on non-academic activities, such as online gaming or social media scrolling. (Example Sentence)

Writing Concluding sentence

Writing the Concluding sentence is the easiest task among all the other tasks. All you need to do is to paraphrase the topic sentence. Paraphrase means to express the meaning (of the writer or speaker or something written or spoken) using different words, phrases or sentence structure, especially to achieve greater clarity. For example:

Topic sentence: While traveling on a public bus, people have to face several problems.
Concluding sentence: In conclusion, for the above-mentioned reasons, many people might not feel comfortable traveling on a public bus.
Example:

• Therefore, people should prioritize developing good reading habits to expand their knowledge and improve their ability to comprehend the world around them. (Concluding sentence)
• By limiting their use of technology and building good study habits, students can achieve academic success and maintain a healthy balance between their digital lives and academic responsibilities. (Concluding sentence)

 
Finally, when all the sentences are arranged in the structure, the following paragraphs are formed.

Benefits of Developing Good Reading Habits

Developing a good reading habit has numerous benefits like improving knowledge. Cultivating good reading habits can broaden one’s perspectives and enhance their understanding of the world. By reading a variety of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and autobiographies, individuals can gain exposure to different perspectives and ideas, which can help them develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. Reading non-fiction books on topics like history, politics, and science can provide a deep understanding of complex subjects, while fiction books can enhance empathy and understanding of human emotions. Therefore, people should prioritize developing good reading habits to expand their knowledge and improve their ability to comprehend the world around them.

Negative Impacts of Technology on Education

Technology has some negative impacts on students which cannot be ignored. The ease of access to smartphones, social media, and other digital platforms has made it increasingly challenging for students to stay focused on their studies. This not only affects their academic performance but also their overall interest in learning, and to mitigate the adverse effects of technology on students, it is crucial to establish boundaries and prioritize academic goals. Instead of completing their assignments or preparing for exams, they may find themselves spending countless hours on non-academic activities, such as online gaming or social media scrolling. By limiting their use of technology and building good study habits, students can achieve academic success and maintain a healthy balance between their digital lives and academic responsibilities.
The above paragraph structure can be used to write down:

1. Advantage paragraph: This type of paragraph explains the advantages of something or provides instruction, e.g. advantages of using smartphone
2. Disadvantage paragraph: This type of paragraph explains the disadvantages of something or provides instruction, e.g. disadvantages of using smartphone
3. Problem paragraph: This type of paragraph states the problems of something, e.g. problems of using smartphone
4. Solution paragraph: This type of paragraph states the solution of something, e.g. solution of problems caused by traffic jams.
5. Cause paragraph: Describes the causes of something, e.g. causes of traffic jams
6. Effect paragraph: Describes the effects of something, e.g. effects of traffic jam
7. Descriptive paragraph: This type of paragraph describes something and shows the reader what a thing or a person is like, e.g. smartphone

 

Exercise

Exercise 1. Read each paragraph and the three topic sentences below it. Choose the best topic sentence and write it on the lines. Then read the paragraph again. Make sure that the topic sentence gives the main idea for the whole paragraph.
1
____________________________________________________ First of all, good teachers are patient. They never rush their students. Good teachers explain things without getting bored. In addition, they are organized. They plan what happens in every class. Good teachers are also encouraging. They help students understand the subject. Finally, good teachers are fair. They treat all students the same. These are some of the most important qualities of good teachers.

1. Good teachers have special qualities.
2. I like my teachers.
3. Some teachers are good, but other teachers are not so good.

2
____________________________________________________ Snow is beautiful when it falls. After a few days, the snow is not beautiful anymore. It starts to melt, and the clean streets become messy. It is difficult to walk anywhere. The sidewalks are slippery. Snow also causes traffic problems. Some roads are closed. Other roads are hard to drive on safely. Drivers have more accidents on snowy roads. I understand why some people like snow, but I do not like it very much.

1. In December, it usually snows.
2. Some people like snow, but I do not.
3. I love snow.

3
____________________________________________________ It has made communication easier for the users than any previous era. Nowadays, people contact others in home and abroad in one tap, and they call, send text or share multimedia anytime they want if they have an internet connection because they do not need to pay extra for it. For example, Facebook is a social media site where users can share their opinion, thoughts, pictures, audio clips and videos with their friends, and they can also make audio or video calls using it whenever they want in a second without any charge except internet connection. To sum up, social media is considered as a blessing for the people of the modern era.

1. There are some incredible benefits of using social media.
2. Facebook is a social media.
3. Social media is a large platform.

4
____________________________________________________ I love to see all the interesting things there. The city is big, exciting, and full of life. I always visit the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. I also visit Chinatown. At night, I go to shows on Broadway. The food in the city is excellent, too. I truly enjoy New York City.

1. I like to see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
2. New York is a very big city.
3. My favorite city in the world is New York.

Exercise 2: Read each paragraph and the three supporting idea sentences below it. Choose the best supporting idea sentence and write it on the lines. Then read the paragraph again. Make sure that the supporting idea sentences supports the topic sentence.
1
Pasta is my favorite food. Pasta tastes great. Sometimes, I eat it plain. I also like it with butter or Parmesan cheese. Another reason I like pasta is the variety. Pasta includes spaghetti, macaroni, vermicelli, ravioli, lasagna, and many other kinds. In addition, ________________________________. I can make pasta in less than ten minutes. Finally, pasta is a very healthy food for me. A plate of pasta has about 300 calories, but it has only three grams of fat. I love to eat pasta every day!

1. Everybody loves pasta.
2. Pasta is very easy to prepare
3. Pasta comes from Italy.

2
Internet radio is the perfect way for me to listen to music. First, I can listen to radio stations from around the world, so I have a variety of musical choices. I can choose Bhangra from a New Delhi station or the newest music from a station in England. I can also listen to individual music stations that people create. I follow several popular disc jockeys in Los Angeles and New York. Moreover, ________________________________. I do not need to stay at home or use my car to listen to the radio. I can listen on my smartphone and my mp3 player whenever and wherever I want. However, the best thing of all is that Internet radio is free! I cannot imagine music without Internet radio!

1. Before the Internet, people only listened to the radio one way.
2. People all over the world like listening to the radio.
3. I like Internet radio’s convenience.

Exercise 3: Read each paragraph and the example sentences below it. Choose the best example sentence and write it on the lines. Then read the paragraph again. Make sure that the example sentence provides an example of the supporting idea sentence.
The primary cause of cities becoming so crowded is the economy. As a country develops, its cities become the engines of development. Thus, jobs are available in these areas. Frankfurt, Istanbul, Bombay and Sao Paolo are all the economic centers of their countries. For example, ________________________________ in the 1960’s and 70’s; as a result, its population increased rapidly. People moved to Tokyo because they could find employment and establish economic security for themselves and their families there.

1. Tokyo was the motor for Japan’s rapid economic development
2. This city has a good job opportunity
3. Tokyo offered a good living condition

The computer has led to immense changes in economic and business life. First of all, businesses now have to be computerized or they risk failure. Every big corporation bases its operations on computing, regardless of which sector they are in. For example, Coca-Cola, the BBC and Levi’s market sell different products and services, yet they all share one basic property – without computers their operations would collapse. Second, computing is an economic dynamo. ________________________________ which drive their economies upwards. Furthermore, the developed world is moving from an industrial-based economy to a computer and IT-based one.

1. Japan, China, India, and many other countries have large phone companies
2. Japan, China, India, and many other countries have large IT sectors
3. Japan, China, India, and many other countries have large garments sector

Exercise 4: Read each paragraph and the three concluding sentences below it. Choose the best concluding sentences, and write it on the lines. Then, read the paragraph again. Make sure that the concluding sentence is the paraphrased version of the topic sentence.
1
I hate Monday for many reasons. One reason is work. I get up early to go to work on Monday. After a weekend of fun and relaxation, I do not like to do this. Another reason that I do not like Monday is that I have three meetings every Monday. These meetings last a long time, and they are extremely boring. Traffic is also a big problem on Monday. There are more cars on the road on Monday. Drivers are in a bad mood, and I must be more careful than usual. ________________________________.

1. Monday is worse than Tuesday, but it is better than Sunday.
2. I do not like meetings on Monday.
3. These are just a few reasons why I do not like Monday.

2
Buying a car requires careful planning. Do you want a new or a used car? This depends on how much money you can spend. Sometimes, a used car needs repairs. What style of car do you want? You can look at many different models to help you decide. Next, do you want extra features in your new car? Adding lots of extra features makes a car more expensive. Finally, you have to decide where you will buy your car. ________________________________.

1. It is important to think about all of these things when you are buying a car.
2. The most important thing is the kind of car that you want to buy.
3. Will you buy your new car from a friend or a car dealer?

Exercise 5: Read each sentence carefully and re- arrange them in a paragraph following the structure. Write down the numbers of sentences orderly at the line of answer. Then read the paragraph again. Make sure that the whole paragraph follows the structure completely.
1

1. a) As a consequence, excessive use of this gadget may cause deadly diseases like cancer, brain tumors, genetic damage and many more. b) In spite of having multiple features, it can be concluded that mobile phones could be harmful sometimes. c) For instance, if a user continues a conversation for more than two minutes, the blood pressure gets high. d) Mobile phones are sometimes harmful for health, especially for children and pregnant women. e) With all the advantages, mobile phones have some drawbacks in disguise.

Ans: ____________________________________________________________________________________
2

1. a) Initially, it keeps us up to date with current affairs and helps us develop a broader perspective on various issues. b) For example, reading newspapers can improve critical thinking skills, enhance vocabulary, and improve reading comprehension of a student. c) Therefore, reading newspapers is crucial for staying informed and engaged with the world around us. d) Reading newspapers is an essential habit that provides an individual with a wealth of information and knowledge about the world. e) To add more, newspapers cover a wide range of topics such as politics, economics, sports, entertainment, and social issues which also provide insights into different cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs.

Ans: ____________________________________________________________________________________
3

1. a) As a result, the constant need for acceptance through likes and comments can lead to a habit of behavior that can be addictive and hurt our mental health even more. b) Social media has some negative effects on users’ health, and people who use it a lot tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, among other mental health problems. c) Even though social media can help us keep in touch with friends and family and get information, it is important to use it in a balanced way and take the steps we need to protect our mental health. d) Observing edited pictures and idealized lives on social media can make us feel that we are not good enough and hurt our self-esteem e) For example, too much use of social media can mess up sleep patterns, which can lead to insufficient sleep and other illnesses.

Ans: ____________________________________________________________________________________
4

1. a) One of the most significant benefits of learning a foreign language is that it enhances our cognitive abilities which helps us develop a better understanding of our native language’s grammar and structure. b) Overall, learning a foreign language can broaden our horizons and provide us with numerous personal and professional benefits. c) Learning a new language has the potential to be life-changing; it has many advantages beyond just those related to communication. d) As an illustration, it also expands your career opportunities, especially in today’s globalized world because being bilingual or multilingual is increasingly becoming a desirable skill in many industries, including business, international relations, and education. e) It provides us with a unique perspective on different cultures, leading to better cultural understanding and appreciation.

Ans: ____________________________________________________________________________________
5

1. a) As a result, obesity has become a common problem all over the world. b) Due to technological advancement, modern humans spend their time mostly sitting around. c) Therefore, sedentary lifestyle has become the major cause for this growing obese population. d) To illustrate, most of the job holders tend to sit at one place for almost 8 hours a day, and even after going home, they do not need to move around or do any physical activities. e) They hardly move from their designated places, which is the main reason behind this excessive weight gain.

Ans: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Definition: Transitional words are words and phrases that provide a connection between ideas, sentences and paragraphs. These words help to make a piece of writing flow better. They can turn disconnected pieces of ideas into a unified whole and prevent a reader from getting lost in the reading.

ADDITION OR SEQUENCING
first, second, third, moreover, furthermore, additionally, in addition, in the (first, second, etc.) place, initially, to start with, first of all, thirdly, to begin with, at first, next, then, secondly,

EXAMPLE
for example, for instance, as an illustration, such as

EFFECT/RESULT
as a result, consequently, for this reason, thus, in consequence, accordingly, as a consequence, so, therefore

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, To Sum up, To conclude, In summary, In the end, Finally, On the whole

Exercise 6: Writing topics for practice:

1. What causes a video game to be popular?
2. What are the advantages of using a cell phone?
3. What are the disadvantages of using a cell phone?
4. What are the benefits of watching television?
5. What are the drawbacks of watching television?
6. What effects do cell phone use have on teenagers?
7. What are the causes of cyber bullying?
8. What are the effects of cyber bullying?
9. How can social media bullying be prevented?
10. What are the advantages of using AI?
11. What were the effects of COVID 19 lockdown on your social life?
12. What are the disadvantages of living in a big or metropolitan city?
13. What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
14. What is the most beautiful place that you have ever been to?
15. How was your first day at Mentors’?

 

Common Mistake

1. Writing Too Many Ideas in One Paragraph:
A paragraph should focus on one main idea, not multiple unrelated ideas.
Incorrect: I love pizza. My dog is very playful. Last summer, I visited my grandmother.
Correct: I love pizza because it has a delicious cheesy flavor and many toppings to choose from.

2. Lack of Using Transitional Words
Sentences should be connected smoothly using transition words like however, therefore, in addition.
Incorrect: I woke up late. I missed the bus. I had to walk.
Correct: I woke up late; therefore, I missed the bus and had to walk.

3. Repetitive Words and Ideas
Repeating the same words or ideas makes writing boring and unclear.
Incorrect: The book was interesting. The characters were interesting. The story was interesting.
Correct: The book was fascinating, with engaging characters and an exciting story.

4. Not Using Supporting Details
A paragraph should include examples or explanations to support the main idea.
Incorrect: Exercise is good for health.
Correct: Exercise is good for health because it strengthens muscles, improves heart health, and reduces stress.