Recognize the Parts of a Simple Paragraph |Chalk Talk PH

           A paragraph is a series of related sentences developing a central idea, called the topic. It is a sentence or a group of sentences that supports one central, unified idea. Paragraphs add one idea at a time to your broader argument. It is usually part of a longer piece of writing, such as a letter or essay.

It contains a topic sentence, supporting details and sometimes a concluding sentence. The sentences follow one another from the beginning to the end of the paragraph.

The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. It also helps you keep your writing under control. This is why a topic sentence is sometimes called the "controlling idea" of a paragraph.

The body is the main part of the paragraph. This is where you tell the reader more about your topic by including specific details. All of the sentences in the body must relate to the specific topic of the paragraph and help it come alive for the reader. That is, all of the sentences in the body should contain details that make the topic more interesting or help explain it more clearly. These sentences should be organized in the best possible order. They provide details such as explanations or examples that expand on or support the topic sentence.

The closing or clincher sentence comes after all the details have been included in the body of the paragraph. The closing sentence reminds the reader what the topic of the paragraph is really all about, what it means. It can start with a transition such as clearly or in conclusion.

Sample Paragraph

My dog Toby is so much fun to play with. One reason he’s fun is because he loves to play catch. What’s also fun is that he follows me around the house with a toy and drops it on my foot, so I will kick it. Additionally, he can catch just about anything, but his favorite thing to catch is a Frisbee. Finally, he loves it when I pretend like I’m falling dead, and he runs over to lick me. All these reasons show why I really have fun playing with Toby.

Green is the Topic.  Gold is the controlling idea.  Red is the body. Blue is the conclusion.

In the sample paragraph above the topic sentence is My dog Toby is so much to play with. The formula in writing it is by having a specific subject (My dog Toby is) plus a specific feeling or attitude (so much fun to play with) equals a good topic sentence.

Sources: Retrieved at https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/planning/paragraphs/ ;Retrieved at http://www.occc.edu/mschneberger/howtoparagraph.htm;Retrieve at https://www.settlementatwork.org/lincdocs/linc5 7/academic.skills/LINC5/02.parts.para/02.parts.para.act1.comp.html