Types of Academic Paragraphs. Explanation

ACADEMIC WRITING – WEEK 5
TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS
2024

REVIEW: THE ACADEMIC PARAGRAPH
A paragraph is a group of sentences that
convey an idea. Each sentence works
together as part of a unit to create an
overall thought or impression. A paragraph
is the smallest unit or cluster of sentences
in which one idea can be developed
adequately.

Descriptive paragraphs.
Narrative paragraphs.
Expository paragraphs
Persuassive paragraphs. (vs. Opinion paragraphs.
TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS

DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
The descriptive paragraph describes
something and shows the reader what a thing
or a person is like. The words chosen in the
description often appeal to the five senses of
touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste.

EXAMPLE:
My favorite show is called “Rick and Morty”. It is aired on Cartoon Network.
It can be watched on Sunday nights. It can also be watched on Netflix. The
show is an animated comedy show, which is based on a comic book. The
show sketches the adventures of Rick, the most intelligent man in the
galaxy, and Morty, who is Rick’s grandson, in a variety of situations that are
usually very dangerous. My favorite character from this show is, obviously,
Rick Sanchez. I consider him my favorite character because of the crazy
things he does in every episode, which always make me laugh. The thing I
like the most from this show is how different all these situations are. Every
single episode shows a whole new different adventure that always delivers.
That’s why “Rick and Morty” is my favorite show.

STRUCTURE OF THE DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH:
Topic sentence.
Supporting detail #1.
Example.
Example.
Example.
Concluding sentence. (Restated topic s.)

NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH
The narrative paragraph tells a story. There
is a sequence of action or there is a clear
beginning, middle, and end to the
paragraph.
The most important characteristic of the
narrative paragraph is Chronology.

EXAMPLE:
It’s been almost ten years since I first ran for political office. I was thirty-
five at the time, four years out of law school, recently married, and
generally impatient with life. A seat in the Illinois legislature had opened
up, and several friends suggested that I run, thinking that my work as a
civil rights lawyer, and contacts from my days as a community organizer,
would make me a viable candidate. After discussing it with my wife, I
entered the race and proceeded to do what every first-time candidate
does: I talked to anyone who would listen. I went to block club meetings
and church socials, beauty shops and barbershops. If two guys were
standing on a corner, I would cross the street to hand them campaign
literature. And everywhere I went, I’d get some version of the same two
questions.

STRUCTURE OF THE NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH:
There are 3 main components in narrative
paragraphs:
1. Background information. (Context, setting)
2. Storyline.
3. Conclusion.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The background information sets the scene for the
audience. It includes the following pieces of information:
A topic sentence.
What story/event is about,
Who it is about,
When it happens,
Where it happens,
Why it happens (happened).

STORYLINE
The story or event happens at 3 different stages: the
beginning, the development, and the end of the story or
event.
The beginning of the story: the beginning tells what happens first in the
story. It can be the problem which makes the story or event happen.
The development of the story: the middle tells the main events or important
activities of the story/event.
The end of the story: the end tells the final events.

CONCLUSION
It drives the story or event into the end. It is a
concluding sentence. The writer can either:
a) restate the topic sentence.
b) give a prediction.
c) conclude the story.
d) make a reflection.

EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH
The expository paragraph explains something or
provides instruction. It could also describe a
process and move the reader step by step
through a method. This type of paragraph often
requires research, but it is possible that the
writer is able to rely on his or her own
knowledge and expertise.

EXAMPLE:
People often think all planets are alike, but there are actually three types
of planets in the solar system. The terrestrial planets are made of rock
and metal and are closest to the sun. These include the midsize planets
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They rotate slowly and don’t have
many moons. Farther from the sun are the planets called gas giants,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are called gas giants
because they are formed from gases such as hydrogen and helium. Gas
giants rotate fast and have many moons. Finally, planetoids are objects
made up of rock and ice and are too small to be true “planets.” Planetoids
sometimes even get pulled into a planet’s gravitational field and become
moons themselves. Whether they are terrestrials, gas giants, or
planetoids, the planets in the solar system are fascinating.

TYPES OF EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPHS
There are various types of expository writing. These
are:
a) Definition. (explanation)
b) Classification. (categorize)
c) Process. (give directions)
d) Problem and solution.
e) Cause and effect.
f) Comparison and Contrast.

STRUCTURE OF THE EXPOSITORY PARAGRAPH:
There are 3 parts in expository paragraphs:
1. Introduction.
2. Body.
3. Conclusion.

INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE:
a) Introduces the issue.
b) Presents the topic and its explanation or
clarification.
c) Provides the categories used to explain the topic.
d) Provides the thesis statement.

BODY SENTENCES:
a) Begins by reflecting the argument of the thesis statement.
b) Supports the argument with useful and informative quotes from
sources such as books, journal articles, expert opinions, etc.
c) Briefly explains each quote and indicate its significance.
d) Ensures that the information provided is relevant to the thesis
statement.
e) Transitions into the next body sentence.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
a) Begins by reflecting the argument of the thesis
statement.
b) Briefly summarizes the main points of the paragraph.
c) Provides a strong and effective close for the paragraph.

Class Practice (graded activity):
Choose one of the options and write an
expository paragraph (groups of 3 people):
a) How do eclipses happen?
b) How to become an expert researcher.

PERSUASIVE PARAGRAPH
This type of paragraph tries to get the reader to
accept a particular point of view or understand
the writer’s position. This is the type of
paragraph that many teachers focus on because
it’s useful when building an argument. It often
requires the collection of facts and research.

EXAMPLE:
The Cass School summer carnival in January is a special event everyone
should attend. First of all, there are activities for everyone. This year, one
classroom had a ﬁshpond for little kids. Another room painted a clown
with a huge mouth on a board for a beanbag toss. Other rooms had shoe
scrambles and relay races. Secondly, each room gives prizes like yo-yos,
bug-eyed glasses, and light-up pens. Winning a prize always adds a little
excitement to each activity. The best part is the clown contest. It is pretty
funny to see how students become clowns using old clothes, face paint,
wigs, big clunky shoes, and wild ties. Adults and kids laugh and laugh at
the clowns. For a little summer fun in January, the Cass School carnival is
worth a visit.

STRUCTURE OF THE PERSUASIVE PARAGRAPH:
Persuasive paragraphs also have 3 parts, just
like expository paragraphs:
1. Introduction.
2. Body.
3. Conclusion.

INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE:
a) Introduces the issue.
b) Previews the argument that will appear in the body.
c) Provides each of the arguments that will later appear in
each body sentence.
d) Refutes any counterpoints to the argument.
e) Provides the thesis statement.

OPINION VS. PERSUASION
Writing or expressing an opinion is all about
what you like; convincing another person to do
something is all about what they need to hear to
be persuaded.

Types of Academic Paragraphs. Explanation

STRUCTURE OF THE OPINION PARAGRAPH:
Opinion paragraphs have a very popular
structure. It is called the OREO structure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2mj2vCyu2U

OREO STRUCTURE
Opinion (Topic sentence)
Reasons (2 or 3 reasons)
Examples (2 or 3 examples)
Opinion (Restated topic sentence)

EXAMPLE
Crunchy creamy Oreo cookies and paragraph share common
ingredients. Like the chocolate sandwich on top of an Oreo, a
paragraph’s topic sentence provides a delicious introduction to the
main idea of the paragraph. Inside the paragraph, the rich smooth
filling or the supportive details support and develop the topic
sentence. At the bottom of the cookie and at the end of the
paragraph, the delectable experience ends off with a final
chocolatey crunch or a clincher sentence that restates the main
idea in a powerful, new way. If necessary, it also gives the transition
to the next Oreo. In summary, when biting into a scrumptious Oreo
cookie, remember, it has three parts just like a paragraph.

Class Practice (graded activity):
Write an OREO paragraph. Work in pairs.
Your options are:
a) Cats as pets.
b) Studying abroad.
c) Getting married in modern times.

OPINION VS
PERSUASION…
VS ARGUMENT?

OPINION VS. PERSUASION VS. ARGUMENT
Watch the following video and take notes
of the characteristics of each type of text.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo8tsUxdqKo
Your teacher will now share a document about the main characteristics
and differences of opinion, persuasive, and argumentative texts on Teams.

Formando líderes para la construcción de
un nuevo país en paz

Types of Academic Paragraphs. Explanation

More Related Content

Similar to Types of Academic Paragraphs. Explanation (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Types of Academic Paragraphs. Explanation

Editor's Notes