ParagraphsWhat are paragraphs?

Paragraphs A set of related sentences that express or

develop an idea Topical paragraphs develop a topic or idea Special paragraphs introduce or conclude

Paragraphs Readers need paragraphs to follow a writer’s

reasoning and to grasp key points An indication of a new paragraph to begin is a

change in content (use transitional sentences) In revision, check to see that the paragraph says

what it does and does what it says

Directions: Read the following. Revise into two paragraphs

She was one of those pretty and charming girls, born, as if an accident of fate, into a family of clerks. With no dowry, no prospects, no way of any kind of being met, understood, loved, and married by a man both prosperous and famous, she was finally married to a minor clerk in the Ministry of Education. She dressed plainly because she could not afford fine clothes, but was as unhappy as a woman who has come down in the world; for women have no family rank of social class. With them beauty, grace, and charm take the place of birth and breeding. Their natural poise, their instinctive good taste, and their mental cleverness are the sole guiding principles which make daughters of the common people the equals of ladies in high society.

(From “The Necklace” by Guy De Maupassant)

Directions: Read the following two paragraphs. Identify them as either topical or special.

I want you to know that I didn’t plain it. I’ve never thought of doing such a thing to a neighbor if it hadn’t been for my cousin Winn…Winn Shelton…He’s the one that has idears about getting’ even with people. When anybody does ‘im wrong once, he never forgets it. He goes back after ‘im if it is a year, two years, or ten years later. I’m not like that. I never was like that.

Parachuting existed long before airplanes did - as far back as the time of George Washington, in fact. The first public parachute drop was made by a Frenchman from a balloon at a height of 2,000 feet. The year? 1792. In 1802, in England, the same man made a descent of about 8,000 feet. parachutists, you can see, have been thrilling, themselves and others for a good long while.

Paragraph one is special

Paragraph two is topical