Most students when asked to write a paragraph or two on any stipulated topic begin producing lengthy essays overflowing with details. The practice is like an epidemic in government schools, especially the secondary schools, for it is a part of the teaching culture there.

But paragraph writing has to it a definite technique, employed to capsulate the information and description in a compact and comprehensive manner. The fault lies with the pathetic approach of the conventional teachers who wrongly believe and neglectfully convey to their students that it is the quantity of the content and not its quality, compactness, conciseness, clarity and completeness that is really what matters.

Even at higher levels, students cannot eradicate this misconception about paragraph writing from their minds and, if a teacher endeavours to mend their notions about this issue, they (the students) think it incredible to even expect first-rate marks out of a small piece of writing.

A standard paragraph comprises eight to 12 sentences that are interlinked and focused on a single thought and topic in a way that they dissolve and form a unit giving a complete sense of oneness. A paragraph can be divided into three parts; topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentences.

The opening sentence is the gateway to the composition. It introduces the topic to the readers. A recommended opening sentence is one that explains about the title and idea in the simplest way that even a layman can understand. The  sentence should preferably set the proceedings on track, but, in some cases, in order to define a specific topic, it may be the second one or a combination of both. For example, if we are writing paragraphs on the topic of “computer”, we can start out with something like “A computer is a programmable electronic device that performs mathematical calculations and logical operations, especially one that can process, store and retrieve large amounts of data very quickly.”

The second and prime part encloses supporting sentences that provide further details and description of our topic and essential idea. This portion covers nearly 80 per cent of the whole paragraph. For example: “There are two basic types of computers namely mainframe computers and personal computers. A mainframe is a large, high-powered computer that can perform billions of calculations from multiple sources at one time while a personal computer is a small and user-friendly device used by individuals for various domestic, official and business purposes. The physical parts of a computer are called hardware while all the programmes come in the category of the software …”

The third and the final phase is called the concluding sentence or, in few cases, a combination of two sentences. The concluding sentence provides the writer’s verdict, results of the above-mentioned discussions and argumentation or summarises the central idea to exercise a lasting impact on the mind and soul of the reader. A suggested concluding sentence is one that winds up the whole matter and contents.

It should commence with phrases such as: “In short, I want to …”, “The sum and substance of my plea is ...”, “Keeping in view the above-mentioned merits and demerits, we can safely arrive at the conclusion that …”, etc.

Keeping our topic in view, the recommended concluding sentence can be something like: “In short, the computer explosion has created an unprecedented revolution in our way of living and working, and life without computers would be miserable in the 21st century.

It is hoped this article will help students and people in general learn the simple but delicate aspects of paragraph writing while helping them mend their old concepts about the exercise.

The writer, a teacher of English language and literature, is also a teachers’ trainer muttahir_khan@hotmail.com