KINDS OF

PARAGRAPH
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify kinds of paragraph

2. Recognize the different purposes
of writing depending on the kind of
paragraph
3. Develop a sense of organization in
writing a good paragraph.
 WHAT IS
PARAGRAPH?
 Paragraph is a group of sentences
linked together to tell something of a
specific single idea. Paragraphs come
in different kinds as to the purpose
of writing. A writer may write to
describe, to narrate, to explain, or to
persuade.
GROUPINGS

GROUP 1: Sunset
GROUP 2: Apollo 11 Space Mission (1)
GROUP 3: Apollo 11 Space Mission (2)
GROUP 4: Tickets on Sale
QUESTION
1. What is the text all about?
2.What is the purpose of
the reading text?
3.What is it trying to
communicate to its
readers?
1. Using a Bubble Map, map out the
basic kinds of paragraph: Descriptive
Paragraph, Narrative Paragraph,
Expository Paragraph, and Persuasive
Paragraph
2. Put in the overlay the title of the
text in the appropriate bubble.
 graph
Expository Descriptive
Paragraph Paragraph

Kinds of
Paragraph

Persuasive
Paragraph Narrative
Paragraph
Apollo
Space
SUNSET
Mission
(1) Kinds of
Paragraph

Tickets Apollo Space

on Sale Mission (2)
 KINDS OF
PARAGRAPH AND
ITS PURPOSE.
 NARRATIVE PARAGRAPH
Narrative paragraphs tell stories.  They differ from short
stories or novels in length as well as in the amount of detail
provided; they sometimes are little more than brief
vignettes.  True narrative paragraphs, however, are similar
to short stories in that they feature characters, follow a plot
line, include a conflict which is resolved and are told from
an identifiable point of view.  They may also establish a
setting or include a moral.
 EXAMPLE
It was July 21, 1969, and Neil Armstrong awoke with a
start. It was the day he would become the first human
being to ever walk on the moon. The journey had begun
several days earlier, when on July 16th, the Apollo 11
launched from Earth headed into outer space. On board
with Neil Armstrong were Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.
The crew landed on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility a
day before the actual walk. Upon Neil’s first step onto the
moon’s surface, he declared, “That’s one small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind.” It sure was!
 Descriptive Paragraph
The purpose of a descriptive paragraph is to allow the
reader to experience the item, phenomenon or event being
described as vividly as possible without physically sensing
it.  That is, the reader cannot see it, but knows what it
looks like; cannot taste it, but knows whether it is salty or
sweet; cannot touch it, but knows its texture.  Descriptive
paragraphs typically include modifiers (ex., adjectives,
adverbs, prepositional phrases) and figurative language
(ex., metaphors, personification, similes) to help enrich the
"experience" for the reader
 EXAMPLE
Sunset is the time of day when our sky meets
the outer space solar winds. There are blue,
pink, and purple swirls, spinning and twisting,
like clouds of balloons caught in a whirlwind.
The sun moves slowly to hide behind the line of
horizon, while the moon races to take its place
in prominence atop the night sky. People slow
to a crawl, entranced, fully forgetting the
deeds that must still be done. There is a
coolness, a calmness, when the sun does set.
 Expository Paragraph
An expository paragraph explains something; its
purpose is to help the reader understand.  Exposition
often includes techniques such as the use of examples
or illustrations to support a point or the use of some
kind of ordering (chronological or numerical, for
example) to help a reader follow a process. 
Exposition needs to be clear; language is often quite
direct although sometimes a writer may use language
devices to help illustrate a point.
 EXAMPLE
On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft launched from the Kennedy
Space Center in Florida. Its mission was to go where no human being
had gone before—the moon! The crew consisted of Neil Armstrong,
Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin. The spacecraft landed on the moon in
the Sea of Tranquility, a basaltic flood plain, on July 20, 1969. The
moonwalk took place the following day. On July 21, 1969, at precisely
10:56 EDT, Commander Neil Armstrong emerged from the Lunar
Module and took his famous first step onto the moon’s surface. He
declared, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” It
was a monumental moment in human history!
 Persuasive Paragraph
The purpose of a persuasive paragraph is to convince the
reader of something, such as the writer's position on a
controversial topic or a proposal for a new project.  The
structure is often similar to that of an expository piece,
as it is usually helpful to explain a little bit about the
subject, but rhetorical devices are often employed to
help sway the reader's opinion.  The language can be
highly charged; the intent is to get a reaction.
 EXAMPLE
The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone
on sale. We are selling a limited number of tickets at a discount, so
move fast and get yours while they are still available. This is going to
be an event you will not want to miss! First off, the school fair is a
great value when compared with other forms of entertainment. Also,
your ticket purchase will help our school, and when you help the school,
it helps the entire community. But that’s not all! Every ticket you
purchase enters you in a drawing to win fabulous prizes. And don’t
forget, you will have mountains of fun because there are acres and
acres of great rides, fun games, and entertaining attractions! Spend
time with your family and friends at our school fair. Buy your tickets
now!
 ACTIVITY

Read the following paragraphs and

identify each kind of paragraph
given in each number. Write your
answer on the space provided.
1. _______________________________________________________
A Once In a Life Time Experience
 
The one day I spent in Morocco, Africa was an experience of a lifetime.
When I finally reached Morocco and got off the bus, there were four
little girls standing shoeless in the hot sun. After I swallowed my tears, I
could not even try to picture this in America as it is not something you
often see in the U.S. Meanwhile my tourist guide instructed me not to give
them money as it encouraged the children to beg; however, I was wearing
four silver bracelets. As I walked over to the girls, their eyes watched my
every move. Then I kneeled down to their level while I gave each girl a
bracelet. They stood there gleaming at me, for they were pleased. I felt
completely in disbelief that this tiny gesture could mean so much. Though
this experience was upsetting, and a huge culture shock, it will stay with
me forever.
2.______________________________________________________
Three Types of Planets
 
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.
3._____________________________________________

What is meant by protein quality?

 
The term protein quality refers to the ratio of essential
amino acids (eaa) in a protein in comparison with the ratio
required by the body. A high quality protein contains eaa in a
ratio that matches human requirements. A protein which is
lacking or low in one or more eaa is termed a low quality
protein. The eaa which is in the shortest supply is called the
‘limiting’ amino acid. In general, animal proteins tend to be
high quality while vegetable proteins tend to be low quality.
The exception is soy protein which is quite high quality.
4. __________________________________________
Real Life Issues on Talk Shows
 
Most TV talk shows depict important life issues with real personal stories.
TV shows such as Montel and Maury have produced hundreds of shows
relating to teen violence, suicide, unsolved murders of family members,
AIDS and hate crimes. People affected by these issues and more write to
Montel and other talk shows about their situations so they can share with
others their experiences with hope of helping someone else. I recently
viewed a show on Montel about an unsolved murder. One of the guests spoke
about the worst day of her life, the day her fiancé was shot and killed while
at work by a random gunman and how it affected her life. Many people in the
U.S. are affected by these types of issues and suffer in silence due to their
belief that nobody cares. Those affected by these social issues will continue
to be victims without TV talk shows such as these. For the most part, TV
shows provide an important view on today's issues and how they affect
everyday people.
5. __________________________________________
THE BLOND GUITAR by Jeremy Burden
 
1
 My most valuable possession is an old, slightly warped blond guitar--the
first instrument I taught myself how to play. 2 It's nothing fancy, just a
Madeira folk guitar, all scuffed and scratched and finger-printed.  3 At
the top is a bramble of copper-wound strings, each one hooked through
the eye of a silver tuning key. 4 The strings are stretched down a long,
slim neck, its frets tarnished, the wood worn by years of fingers
pressing chords and picking notes. 5 The body of the Madeira is shaped
like an enormous yellow pear, one that was slightly damaged in
shipping. 6 The blond wood has been chipped and gouged to gray,
particularly where the pick guard fell off years ago. 7 No, it's not a
beautiful instrument, but it still lets me make music, and for that I will
always treasure it.
 ANSWERS

1. NARRATIVE
2. EXPOSITORY
3. EXPOSITORY
4. PERSUASIVE
5. DESCRIPTIVE
Describe   write a     Descriptive Paragraph

Inform    write a   Expository Paragraph

Narrate    write a    Narrative Paragraph

Persuade  write a    Persuasive Paragraph

ASSIGNMENT

In your activity notebook,

write at least one (1) paragraph
for each KIND OF
PARAGRAPH.
 Rubrics for Paragraph Writing
4 3 2 1 SCORE

Strong main idea Adequate main idea Weakly stated main Unclear main idea
Main Topic restated in the restated in the idea not restated in
(15%) closing sentence closing sentence weakly restated in closing sentence
closing sentence
Consistent Body contains 3+ Limited details to Random ideas are
Body/supporting development of sentences. Mostly establish interest hard to follow.
sentences main idea. Creates related details. in the topic. Short, Less than 3
(3-5 related interest through Not all sentences choppy sentences complete
sentences) details and varied are complete and that lacks flow. sentences.
(15%) sentence structure. focused.

Few, if any, errors Several errors that Many errors that Many errors that
Grammar do not interfere interfere with make it illegible
(20%) with meaning meaning
TOTAL 50%
THANK YOU!