PARAGRAPH

PARAGRAPH

A.           Definition Of Paragraph

According to Ann H, a paragraph is a group of related sentences about a single topic. The topic of a paragraph is one, and only one, idea. According to Effendi (2012), paragraph is part of a text that contains a collection of sentences.

From the definition above, it can be conclude that, paragraph is a collection of the unity of mind which holds more and more extensive than in the sentence or can be interpreted also the paragraph is part of a composition that consists of a few sentences, which containing on information from the author to the reader with its main thoughts as well as supporting explanatory mind.

B.            Components of Paragraph

A paragraph is made up of three kinds of sentences that develop the writer’s main idea, opinion, or feeling about a topic. These sentences are :

1.             Topic sentences

The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph to introduce the main idea of paragraph.

2.             Supporting sentences

Supporting sentences is explains and improve the topic sentences. Supporting sentences are sometimes connected by transition words or phrases.

3.             Concluding sentences

Concluding sentence is pulls together or summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, usually is in a single sentences. It is also provides a definite ending point for the paragraph.

Example :

The action of doodles clothing and convoy motorcycles coloring graduation senior high scholl in the announcement for Tuesday on may, 20st  2014.  The work of 45 Bangunrejo in high school, Sukakarya excite excitement hundreds of students at school drop off up to the road. Students affix signatures each other with the watermark and spray paint in his clothes. A number of students admitted the action of the doodles is a tradition since brother their classes. According to them it must be in the habit of conserve because they give the memory of what beautiful.

 Note: Red is the topic, Blue is the body, and Purple is the conclusion.

C.          Characteristic of A Good Paragraph

A paragraph is a collection of sentences which all relate to one main idea or topic. Effective paragraphs have four main characteristics: a topic sentence, unity, coherence, and adequate development. Each of these characteristics is discussed below.

1.      Unity

Unity in a paragraph means that the entire paragraph should focus on one single idea. The supporting details should explain the main idea. The concluding sentence should end the paragraph with the same idea. Thus, a unified paragraph presents a thought, supports it with adequate details and completes it with a conclusion.

2.      Coherence

Coherence means establishing a relationship between the ideas presented in a paragraph. It brings about a rationale in the arrangement of the ideas which are introduced either in the chronological order or in the order of importance. Besides, transitions that compare, contrast, illustrate, add or show cause and effect build logical bridges. The ideas, thus expressed in the paragraph, flow smoothly from one to the other in a logical sequence. This helps the reader to understand the paragraph.

For example :

The Human Body

⁽¹⁾ The human body is a wonderful piece of work that nature has created. ⁽²⁾ It is not beautiful like the body of a butterfly or peacock but it is shaped practically. ⁽³⁾ It can do many types of work which other animals cannot. ⁽⁴⁾ It is not strong like the body of a tiger. ⁽⁵⁾ But in place of physical strength it has a big and sharp brain. ⁽⁶⁾ By using this brain the human physique has been able to overcome many of its limitations. ⁽⁷⁾ By sitting in an aeroplane it flies faster than a kite, by riding a motorcycle it travels faster than a leopard, and by firing a machine gun it fights much better than a tiger. ⁽⁸⁾In spite of all this, the human body suffers from many diseases because it has a weakness for habits such as smoking, drinking and overeating. ⁽⁹⁾ When it is healthy the body can give great pleasure but when it is sick it can cause great pain. ⁽¹⁰⁾ The wise man would always keep his body fit because a healthy mind can work only in a healthy body.

Note :

The first sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and claims the superiority of the human body over the rest of the creation. It enables the reader to expect the following ideas in the paragraph that explain and illustrate the qualities and attributes of the human body.

The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sentences compare, contrast, elucidate and justify the main idea or topic sentence. They establish the main theme with logical explanations and transitions. They create a graphic picture in the minds of the reader with suitable and appropriate language expressions. In brief, they develop the main idea of the paragraph.

The eighth and the ninth sentences interpret and analyze the limitations of the human body and prove the strength of the topic sentence. They, further, lead the main idea into a concluding thought.

Finally, the tenth sentence concludes with the idea that the human body should be well preserved for a proper functioning of the system and that a healthy mind can work only in a healthy body.

Thus the paragraph, The Human Body, is a unitied and coherent paragraph.

3.      Sentence connectors

Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give paragraphs coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at the beginning of a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas, theory, data etc. The following table lists useful connectors.

Usefull sentences connector:

a)             Logical order : firstly, secondly, thirdly, next, last, finally, in addition, furthermore, also, at present etc.

b)             Order of importance : most significantly, above all, primarily, essentially etc.

c)             Contrast : however, on the other hand, on the contrary, in comparison, in contrast etc.

d)            Result : as a result, as a consequence, therefore, thus etc.

e)             Comparison : similary, likewise, also etc.

f)              Reason : the cause of, the reason of etc.

4.    Clause Connectors

Clause Connectors are therefore can be defined as a word that is used to join or to connect clauses in order to form sentences that are both grammatical and logical. There are two groups of clause connectors:

a)             Subordinating conjunction is used to introduce a dependent clause, which is joined with an independent clause to form a complex sentence. In other words, a subordinator (subordinating conjunction) is the first word in a dependent clause.

b)             Coordinating conjunction is usually used to join two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence. There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, yet, or, nor, for and so. That is punctuated by putting a comma (,) before the coordinating conjunction.

D.           Types Of Paragraph

There are several types of paragraphs and such will explain below:

1.             Descriptive Paragraph

According to Leo (1995), descriptive writing portrays people, places, things, moments and theories with enough vivid detail to help the reader create a mental picture of what is being written about. While Hermawan (2010) explain that, descriptive paragraph is paragraph which expresses or describes place, thing and person in such vivid detail that the readers can easily visualize the described place, thing and person, or can feel that they involve in the experience.

From the definition above it can be conclude that, descriptive paragraph is describe about what kinds of person or an object described, good shapes, properties, numbers and others.

After learned about the meaning of descriptive paragraph, there are some generic structure to write it. That are :

a.       Indentification : identify or write the recognition moreover, it can be a general statement about place, person, or thing that want to describe.

b.      Description : identifies how the appearance and characteristics of the thing being described. In general, what becomes the standard text depiction of this type are parts of objects (parts), quality of the object (qualities), or the characteristic features and habit (characteristics).

c.       Conclusion : This part may be included or not. It can be restatement or conclusion of the paragraph.

Example :

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is a Buddhist temple. It was built in the ninth century under Sailendra dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 meter high and consists of eight steps like stone terrace. The first five terraces are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Buddhist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire upper structure is crowned by a large stupa at the center of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and stairways.  The design of Borobudur symbolizes the conception of universe in Buddhist cosmology. It is believed that the universe is divided into three spiritual spheres, Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Arupadhatu. The first sphere, Kamadhatu, represents respectively the sphere of desires where we are bound to our desires; the second sphere, Rupadhatu, represents forms where we abandon our desires but are still bound to name and form; and the last sphere, Arupadhatu, represents formlessness where there is no longer either name or form.

Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for Indonesian people. With its magnificent size and architecture, no wonder that Borobudur Temple includes 7 wonders of the world.

Note :

Identification in paragraph 1

Description in paragraph 2

Conclusion in paragraph 3

2.             Narrative paragraph

According to  Munand (2013), Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative through a process narration. Danu (2013) state that narrative is an imaginative story to entertain people.

So it can be conclude that, Paragraph narrative is one type of paragraph that telling about sequence of events from time to time that describe in early, middle, and end that make the reader feeling so experiencing the event.

a)      Orientation tells about the introducing the participant and informing the time and the place.

b)      Complication tells about rising crises which participants have to do with or among participants relationship in a process of social interaction.

c)      Resolution showing the way of participant to solve the crises, etter or worse. And coda as additional.

Example :

The Story Of A Mouse And A Frog

Once, there was a mouse which made of close friendship with a frog.
One day, the frog said to the mouse; “Let’s bind ourselves together with a string so that we may never get separated”. The mouse agreed. Both tied themselves together leg to leg. It went quite well on land. When they came to a small pool, it was a tragic for the mouse. In the end, the frog kept swimming across the small pool dragging the mouse with him. Soon, the mouse drowned and floated on the surface of the pool

Note :

Orientation : The frog and the mouse were in once time

Complication : They wanted to make “true friendship”. They didn’t want to be separated so they tied together

Resolution : The mouse had to pay for their “true friendship” he was drowning and floating on the pool

3.             Argumentative Paragraph

According to Keraf (1997 :116), The argument is a form of rhetoric that seeks to influence the attitudes and opinions of others, that they believe and finally act in accordance with what is desired by the author or speaker. While, the argument is the kind of essay that attempts to influence others by presenting evidence - evidence that proves the argument expressed logically and factually with the aim of interested readers or listeners suggested by the author ( Hasani A : 2005, 43).

From the definition above it can be conclude it that, the argument is kind of a paragraph that expresses an idea, an idea or opinion of the author, accompanied by evidence and facts.

After learned about the meaning of argumentative  paragraph, there are some generic structure to write it. That are :

a.       It has a topic sentences

b.      It has supporting sentences for pros and supporting sentences for cons. Further both of these are called argument.

c.       It has to use deductive or inductive reasoning, cause and effect. And argument by authority.

Example :

The communist ideology believes that science does not need religion. Their followers have claimed that religion is drugs or toxin, and toxin in fact make the users drunken or unaware or fly. Thus, there is no need to have religion in this life. They can live happily in balance and in harmony without any religion beside science. They call those who need religion beside science as stupid or old fashioned. Whereby, they call themselves as modern or up to date. The opponents to this belief, however think vice versa. Science needs a religion to make it balance. They believes that science without a religion is blind. While religion also needs science. They believe that religion without science is lame. Thus, science and religion are catalysators for mankind to live on the track or in harmony. They called those who do not religion beside science as crazy or insane people. In short, both sides have their own arguments to promote their belief and each of whom blame to one another for creating this world imbalance, war, and global crisis.

4.             Expository Paragraph

According to Phinisi, Eldi, Dkk (2015), Expository paragraph is a paragraph aimed at describing, explaining, convey information, teach, and explain something without solicitation or pressure for the reader to accept or follow. Another opinion, An expository paragraph is one that seeks to explain information or directions and then provides the reader with steps on how to accomplish the information (Rivera, 2016).

From the definition above it can be conclude that expository paragraph is to explain or give the information about a subject, give directions or show how something happen. It could also describe a process and move the reader step by step through a method. This type of paragraph often requires research, but it's possible that the writer is able to rely on his or her own knowledge and expertise.

The characteristics of paragraph exposition are give about something that cann’t be in achieved by means of the sense, A style of writing is informative, Contains a definition or method in doing a thing, and generally paragraphs exposition answer the question what, who, when, where, why and how.

Example :

All toilet flush tanks work about the same. When the toilet is flushed, the trip handle lifts the tank ball, opening the outlet and letting water flow into the bowl. When the tank is nearly empty, the ball falls back in place over the outlet. The float falls with the water level, opening the water-supply inlet valve just as the outlet is being closed, and the tank is refilled through the filler tube. Water also flows through the bowl refill tube into the overflow pipe to replenish trap-sealing water. As the water level in the tank nears the top of the overflow pipe, the float closes the inlet valve, completing the cycle.

Note :

This paragraph from Reader's Digest Complete Do-it-yourself Manual gives detailed information about how how the water moves through a toilet when it is flushed. It's instructive, and if you like this kind of thing, it may even be interesting.

5.             Process Paragraph

Paragraphs process is paragraph that mentions measures or stage to be done or traversed in making something or carry out work.

For example :

Fried bananas are popular dessert and snack food in Thailand. The dish is more often known as” Pisang Goreng” in Indonesia. Making fried bananas is very easy. First you need some rotten bananas and some frying oil. You can slice the bananas into thin slics. Then, fry them in very hot frying oil until they turn brown. If you want it sweeter, you can sprinkle some sugar on top. Other wise, roll the bananas carefully into flour before you fry them. A delicious fried bananas is ready to enjoy. It also will have a great test if you eat it with a cup of warm tea or a cup of hot coffe.

Note : Black is Topic sentences, Red is supporting sentences, and purple is concluding sentences.

6.             Procedure Paragraph

Procedure  is a text that is designed to describe how something is achieved through a sequence of actions or steps. It explains how people perform different processes in a sequence of steps. This text uses simple present tense, often imperative sentences. It also uses the temporal conjunction such as first, second, then, next, finally, etc. The generic structures of procedure text are  :

a)             Goal/aim ( or title) : it is contains the purpose of the text.

b)             Materials (not required for all procedural texts) : it is contains the materials that used in the process.

c)             Steps (the actions that must be taken) : it is contains of the steps to make something in the goal.

For example :

How to make a sandwich (the goal)

You need ( material)

1)             2 slices of bread

2)             peanut butter

3)             a banana

4)             honey

what you should  do  are : (steps)

1)             Take two slices of bread

2)             Spread peanut butter

3)             Cut up a banana onto small slices and put them on one of the slices

4)             Pour some honey over the bananas

5)             Put the other slice of bread on top

E.            Summary

Paragraphs are sets of sentences strung together or are connected to form a certain idea. Paragraph  differentiated into three paragraphs that are formed based on the nature and objectives, based on the location of the main sentence, and based on its content. A good paragraph should pay attention to some of the requirements in order to form an idea that is easily understood by the reader. 

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