8 Types of Paragraphs

8 Types of Paragraphs Study Sheet

Descriptive Paragraph  Descriptive words and phrases (adjectives)  Figurative language (similes; metaphors; idioms)  5 senses  Exact nouns  Precise verbs

Sentences can go in any order Sentences of varying lengths (some short/some long)

Ice skating is my favorite sport.

Narrative Paragraph  Action detailed (heavy on the action)  Action verbs  Order or sequence is essential  Time transitions (next, first, then, finally)

This weekend I…

Compare/Contrast Paragraphs  Connects the unfamiliar (different) by relating to the familiar (common)  Doesn’t reference both items for every point  It beyond the obvious. Not just saying “It has..” “It doesn’t have…”  Comparisons include: “More like” “Almost” “Not quite” “A little like”…

Sequential Paragraph  Precise action verbs  Events and details are ordered  Simplistic language (words aren’t challenging-just explain)  Balance of action and being verbs (50/50)  Number facts  Transition words Than Then Compare/contrast Sequence

Question/Answer Paragraphs  Questions sprinkled lightly  Used in dialogue  Used while wondering  Used as a rhetorical question (ask a question, but don’t really expect an answer)  Fact questions in nonfiction  Series of “crescendoing” rhetorical questions  Organized in 3 formats: QA QQQQA A Opinion/Fact Paragraph Think of a table: The top of the table is the opinion. Every table needs four legs to stand firm. The four legs support the opinion

 More facts than opinion  Opinion-topic sentence  Fact-details that follow  Facts include: observations; statistics; examples Persuasive-Opinion: what you want Facts: reasons Expository/Research- Opinion: thesis (idea) (hypothesis) Fact: research revealed Fiction: Characters have opinions Rationale (their thoughts and actions)-Facts

Definition Paragraph  Pronunciation  What it is (synonym)  What something looks like  Literal meaning  Identify history/origin  What is necessary to be able “do” what the term is  Examples  Comparisons  What it is NOT

Problem/Solution Paragraph

 More sentences about the solution than the problem  “Problem” –usually the topic sentence  “Solution” – details  Solutions could include: definitions, descriptions, background knowledge or steps in sequence

Nonfiction: problem is the purpose for writing

Cause/effect: solution is the resolution

Persuasive: got problem; here are the solutions

Fiction: characters have a problem