Definition of Paragraph

The term paragraph has been derived from the Latin word “paragraphos” which means to write beside or written beside. A paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with a single idea. It can be an independent piece of writing or a part of a bigger composition. 


 A good paragraph should have three integrated parts. They are topic introducer, the developers and the terminator. All the sentences of a paragraph support the topic sentence. They are arranged in logical sequence with the help of linkers or discourse  markers. There is no hard and fast rule as to the length of a paragraph. It may consist of one or two sentences or it may sometimes be long enough to contain 15 or 20 sentences.


A good paragraph must have unity. It should have coherence  and cohesion.It's  sentences should be grammatically correct and properly punctuated. It ends with a satisfactory conclusion. There are different types of paragraphs. The most common types are listing paragraph,example Paragraph, expository paragraph, definition paragraph, description paragraph, compare and contrast paragraph, cause and effect paragraph, classification paragraph, narrative paragraph etc. 

Paragraph definition

According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a paragraph is “distinct section  of a piece of writing usually consisting of several sentences dealing with the single theme”.

what are the different types of paragraph? 

A paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with the single idea. It  can be an independent piece of writing or a part of a  bigger composition. There are different types of paragraphs. The most common types are-

  1. expository paragraph

  2. definition paragraph

  3. description paragraph

  4. compare and contrast paragraph

  5. cause and effect paragraph

  6. classification paragraph

  7. narrative paragraph 

  8. comparison paragraph

  9. contrast paragraph  

  10. process paragraph 

  11. argumentary paragraph 

  12. Listing paragraph etc.


What are the essential parts of a paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of related sentences dealing with a single idea. It  can be an independent piece  of writing or a part of a bigger composition. A good paragraph should  have 3 integrated parts. They are topic introducer, the developers and the terminator.


Topic sentence: A  paragraph deals with one main idea and the sentence which contains the central idea is called the topic sentence.This sentence is also known as the paragraph introducer or the key sentence or theme sentence.A topic sentence must have a controlling idea to control the rest of the paragraph. All  the other sentence is explain or illustrate the topic sentence.It  contains the writers attitude towards the subject or the topic. As for the position of the topic sentence it may appear anywhere in the paragraph. It  can be placed at the beginning, in the middle and in the end of the paragraph. In most cases,the topic sentence appears at the beginning of a paragraph. It  makes the readers  interested about the paragraph. Therefore, a writer must be careful of choosing a topic  sentence.
Developers: Developers are the body of a paragraph. The sentences that are placed between the topic sentence and the terminator are called developers. They developed and support the topic sentence by giving necessary facts and examples. They maintain coherence and cohesion of a paragraph. 

Terminator: Terminator is the last sentence of a paragraph. It  summarises the main idea of a paragraph.In other words, it can restate the idea that is told  in the topic sentence.

What are the characteristics of a good or an effective paragraph? How can we write a good paragraph?

The characteristics of a good or an effective paragraph are given below:

  • A good paragraph should have a topic sentence, middle and an end.

  • The topic sentence should clearly state the controlling idea. 

  • The middle  should have Unity with the topic sentence.

  • It's sentences should be connected with one another to make the writing logical and coherent. 

  • Cohesion should be maintene. 

  • It's sentences should be grammatically correct and properly punctuated.

  • It  should follow either British or American spelling.

  • It should have psychologically satisfactory ending   

in short, a good paragraph should have a clear focus and logical sequence of ideas to give the sense of completeness. The writer should be careful about the test and interest of the target reader. 

What is the five step process of paragraph development?

The following are the five steps of writing paragraph:

  1. First  step is to create a topic sentence with a controlling idea.

  2. Second  step is to explain the controlling idea.

  3. Third  step is to give an example or multiple examples.

  4. Fourth step is to explain the example(s)

  5. Fifth  steps to complete the paragraph. 


In a paragraph,  cohesion and coherence is very important to maintain the controlling idea of the paragraph. They are must. Let's see what is cohesion in a paragraph and what is coherence…. 


Cohesion Cohesion is the act of keeping ideas together. To maintain unity in a composition, cohesion is a must. Cohesion  refers to the grammatical and lexical relations between  different elements of a composition. on the other hand,  coherence refers to the logical and sensible arrangement of the incidents. 


Coherence: Coherence  refers to the logical and sensible arrangements of the incidents.It  is a must in all types of writing.When different parts of a composition are connected with each other naturall, logically and sensibly in the piece of writing attains it's  coherence. A  writer maintains coherence in piece  of writing by using different types of linkers. Some of the linkers are firstly,secondly,but although,and therefore  etc.


Now let's see different types of paragraphs.. 


  1. Description  paragraph: A description paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we describe a person or a place or things. it uses words that appeal  to our senses.It does not include any action.In description paragraph, we describe the subject from front to back, right to left.Sometimes we describe it from east to west, top to bottom or in some spatial arrangement.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are above, below, in front, in back, opposite, nearby etc. We can apply this technique to the following topics-  
  •  A tea stall

  • My favourite teacher 

  • My native village 

  • My sweet home etc.


  1.  Narrative paragraph: Narrative is a type of paragraph in which the writer tells or narrates a story or a sequence of events. Normally  this type of paragraph describes personal experience.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are first, next,then, after, before, immediately, meanwhile, at last, finally etc.We can apply this technique to the following topics-  

  • A road accident 

  • A strange job interview 

  • A birthday party 

  • A journey by boat etc.


  1. cause and effect paragraph: Cause and effect paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we point out the effect of something and then explain the cause of that thing in the body. The terminator give the final cause and concludes the paragraph logically and effectively.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are so, therefore, thus, hence, as a result, because, since, consequently etc.etc.We can apply this technique to the following topics-  

  • Deforestation 

  • Water pollution 

  • Price hike

  • Corruption 


  1. Comparison paragraph: Comparison  paragraph is that type of paragraph in which we compare the similar characteristics of different subjects. effectively.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are  similarly, likewise, in the same way, in the same manner, also, too etc. We can apply this technique to the following topics-  

  • Novel and short story 

  • Drama and Novel 

  • Village life and City life

  • Eid and Christmas


  1. Contrast paragraph:Contrast  paragraph is a type of paragraph  in which we compare the dissimilar  characteristics of different subjects. In this sense, contrast paragraph is also one kind of comparison paragraph.effectively.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are but, though, yet, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, while, whereas, nevertheless, however etc.We can apply this technique to the following topics-  

  • Novel and short story 

  • Drama and Novel 

  • Village life and City life

  • Eid and Christmas


  1. Comparison  and contrast paragraph: comparison and contrast paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we compare both the similar and  dissimilar characteristics of different subjects.we need a context modulator to develop this type of paragraph. Do you know what is the contest modulator?  A context modulator is like a bridge  which connects two sorts of  ideas.  Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are but, though, yet, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, while, whereas, nevertheless, however etc.Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are  similarly, likewise, in the same way, in the same manner, also, too etc. We can apply this technique to the following topics-  

  • Novel and short story 

  • Drama and Novel 

  • Village life and City life

  • Eid and Christmas


  1. Expository paragraph: The  word “expository” is the adjective form of exposition.exposition means explanation. An expository paragraph is a type of paragraph in which the writer exposes and explains  information through facts and details. Some examples of expository paragraph on given below:

  •  globalisation 

  • Choice of career 

  • dowry system 

  • Eve teasing etc.


  1. Persuasive paragraph: Persuasive paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we share our opinions and persuade the reader to agree with us.Some examples of persuasive  paragraph on given below:

  •  reading for pressure 

  • the Status of women in Bangladesh 

  • negative effect of Facebook 

  • terrorism in educational institution etc.


  1. Listing paragraph: Listing paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we can develop a paragraph through the technique of listing. Some transational word is used in this type of paragraphs are firstly, secondly, thirdly,another,afterwards,  moreover, lastly, finally etc.  Some examples of expository paragraph on given below:

  •  An ideal student

  • A good teacher 

  • My Eid shopping etc.

  1. Definition paragraph: definition paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we define and describe a less fimiliar subject. Some examples of definition  paragraph on given below:

  •  Love

  • Poetry

  • Drama

  • Novel etc.

  1. Classification paragraph: classification paragraph is a type of paragraph in which we put a host of Ideas or item into a limited number of similar classes.Some examples of classification  paragraph on given below:

  •  transports in Bangladesh 

  • literature 

  • Poetry 

  • films of Bangladesh etc.

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