Paragraph Classification

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Paragraph Classification
1. Function introductory, topical, transitional,
concluding 2. Location of Topic
Sentence(s) beginning, middle, end, implied 3.
Arrangement of Sentences time, spatial location,
general to specific, specific to general, least
important to most important, most important to
least important, abstract to concrete, concrete
to abstract, problem to solution 4. Rhetorical
Strategies (rhetoric means arrangement of
ideas and choice of words best suited to a texts
purpose and audience) narration, description
(including sensory description), process,
example, definition, analysis, classification,
comparison (and/or contrast), analogy,
cause-and-effect analysis
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1. Strategies for Introductory ParagraphsThings
to Try (1) Provide relevant background
information (2) Tell a brief (and relevant) story
or anecdote (3) Give a pertinent statistic (4)
Ask a provocative question (5) Use a relevant
quotation (6) Make an analogy (7) Define a key
term many more tactics exist Things to Avoid
(1) Apologizing for the authors lack of
knowledge (e.g., I am not certain that I am
right, but I think this opinion is possible) (2)
Clichés or proverbs (3) General statements that
the essay cannot refute or prove (e.g.,
Friendship cannot exist without love War is
universal) 2. Strategies for Concluding
ParagraphsThings to Try (1) Use one of the
strategies for introductory paragraphs (but avoid
using the same strategy in both the introduction
and the conclusion) (2) Summarize the main points
of the essay (avoid a summary if the essay is
less than 1000 words long) (3) Ask the readers
for awareness, action, or a similar resolution
(4) Look to the future Things to Avoid (1)
Introducing new concepts or facts (2) Rewording
the introduction (3) Announcing what the essay
has done (e.g., In this essay, I have explained
the function of rhyme in The Tyger ) (4)
Apologizing (e.g., I may not have convinced you
or Others may disagree ) 3. Strategies for
Transitional Paragraphs Transitional paragraphs
help the reader move from a long section on one
topic to another long section on another topic,
or to connect a topic to the texts overall
purpose. Transitional paragraphs usually arent
necessary for short pieces of writing.