Paragraph Formation: Rules & Examples | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

Introduction

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Well-written paragraphs keep your writing clear and focused, making it easier for readers to follow your thoughts. Organising sentences in a logical way ensures that your main idea is communicated effectively.

Importance of Paragraph Formation

• Knowing how to write a paragraph involves understanding its flow. A paragraph usually starts by introducing the main idea and ends by summarising or concluding it. When dealing with paragraph jumble questions, you need to recognise the beginning, end, and main message of a paragraph. Look for the sentence that introduces the main concept at the start and the one that sums it up at the end.
• In paragraph jumble questions, figure out the order of sentences to make a logical and coherent paragraph. Practice identifying the natural progression of ideas. This not only helps in writing well-organised paragraphs but also makes it easier to understand the meaning of a paragraph in exercises where sentences are jumbled. So, pay attention to how ideas flow from one sentence to the next for better paragraph understanding and construction.
  

The Basic Rule: Keep One Idea in One Paragraph

• The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. 
• You can have one idea and several pieces of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. 
• If the single points start to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the correct approach.

Elements of a Paragraph

To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following:

1. Unity

• The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander into different ideas.

2. Coherence

Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. One can help create coherence in paragraphs by creating:

(a) Logical bridges

• The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence.
• Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form.

(b) Verbal bridges

• Keywords can be repeated in several sentences.
• Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences.
• Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences.
• Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences.

3. A Topic Sentence

• A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. 
• Although a paragraph may not always have a clear topic sentence, and its position can vary—appearing at the beginning, end, or even in the middle—a reliable way to help readers grasp the main idea is to place it near the start. This is a useful guideline for less experienced writers, though it is not the only possible approach.
• Regardless of whether you include an explicit topic sentence or not, you should be able to easily summarise what the paragraph is about.

4. Adequate Development

• The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately. 
• Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers should be wary of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.

Some effective ways to ensure that a paragraph is well-developed include:

• Using examples and illustrations
• Citing relevant data such as facts, statistics, evidence, and details
• Including testimony, such as quotes or paraphrases from others
• Sharing an anecdote or short story
• Defining important terms
• Comparing and contrasting ideas
• Evaluating causes and reasons
• Examining effects and consequences
• Analysing the topic in depth
• Describing the subject clearly
• Presenting a chronology of events in time order

How to Know When to Start a New Paragraph?

1. When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
2. To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
3. When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short "break" for your readers—adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
4. When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.

Transitions and Signposts

Two very important elements of paragraphing are signposts and transitions.

• Signposts are internal aids to assist readers; they usually consist of several sentences or a paragraph outlining what the article has covered and where the article will be going.
• Transitions are usually one or several sentences that "transition" from one idea to the next. Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs flow from one to the next.