Introduction - Paragraph Writing, English, Class 8 | English Honeydew Class 8 PDF Download

A paragraph is a short piece of writing that consists of a number of sentences written on one topic or one idea. These sentences are arranged in a systematic manner. A paragraph is a short composition complete in itself.

Features of Good Paragraph
A good paragraph should have the following features
Unity A paragraph should deal with only one thought or idea. Readers should get an idea of the theme right at the beginning of the paragraph.
Connectivity The sentences in a paragraph should be well-connected.
Few Ideas A paragraph may include a few ideas related to the central theme.
Conclusion The last sentence should be impressive. It should be written in such a manner that it brings a proper sense of conclusion and closes the paragraph.

Paragraphs are comprised of sentences, but not random sentences. A paragraph is a group of sentences organized around a central topic. In fact, the golden rule of paragraph writing is to focus on one idea. A solidly written paragraph takes its readers on a clear path without any deviation.

Parts of Paragraph
Make sure your paragraph has three distinct parts.

1. Introductory Opening Sentences
This sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph and summarises the main idea of the paragraph. It can be a famous quote or a proverb. It is an introductory line which addresses what the main idea of the paragraph is going to be. It should contain the most important and relevant point you wish to make regarding your topic, thus summarising the paragraph as a whole.

2. Supporting Sentences
The sentences following the introductory sentences need to be supporting sentences. Details can be mentioned through these supporting sentences.

3. Conclusion

• The last sentence of the paragraph should be the concluding sentence. It should tie the supporting thoughts together. In other words, it should close the paragraph.
• Check your paragraph for Coherence and Style: You should try to achieve a certain clarity in your writing. You can do this by varying the length and format of your sentences and by using a varied vocabulary.
• The ‘tense’ and ‘person’ should remain consistent throughout the paragraph, e.g. if you are writing in the first person (e.g. “I believe that…”) you should not switch to a passive voice (“it is believed that”).
• However, you should also try to avoid beginning every sentence with “I think…” Try to vary the format of your sentences, as this will make the paragraph more interesting for the reader and help them to comprehend it more naturally.

For beginner writers, it is better to stick to short, to-the-point sentences which clearly express your point. Long sentences can become incoherent very quickly or can have grammatical errors, so try to avoid them until you become more experienced as a writer.