What’s the Paragraph Type?
As I walked through the abandoned house, memories flooded back—each creaky floorboard seemed to whisper stories of laughter, arguments, and secrets kept within these walls. The faded wallpaper peeled like shedding skin, revealing layers of the past. This place, though empty now, was alive with echoes of yesterday.
Narrative
This type of paragraph uses a lot of ______ words to help the reader see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something.
Sensory
A mother bird is very busy. They build a nest, lay eggs in the nest, and sit on the eggs. They also gather food for the hungry babies.
A mother bird is very busy.
A rainbow is made up of many colors. It has red, purple, and blue stripes. It has orange, yellow, and green stripes. Sometimes the colors are dark. Sometimes the colors are pale.
A rainbow
How many sentences does a paragraph have?
3-5 Sentences
Many argue that social media has a negative impact on mental health, pointing to increased rates of anxiety and depression linked to excessive use. However, others claim that social media provides valuable platforms for social connection, especially for people in isolated or marginalized communities.
Argumentative
This type of paragraph tells what happened in order.
Narrative Paragraph
Boy was I surprised when I looked under my bed. I found a dirty sock, my lost homework, and a piece of rotten banana. I need to clean my room more often.
Boy was I surprised when I looked under my bed.
Many changes happen to a caterpillar as it grows. It gets bigger and bigger as it eats leaves. One day it forms a fuzzy cocoon. After several weeks, a moth crawls out of the cocoon. It flies away when its wings are dry.
A caterpillar
This sentence tells the main idea of a paragraph.
Topic Sentence
There are three main ways to reduce water consumption at home. First, fix leaking faucets promptly to prevent waste. Second, install low-flow showerheads and toilets to limit water use. Third, collect rainwater for gardening purposes instead of relying on treated water supplies.
Demonstrative
This writing type focuses on showing how two things are alike and different.
Compare and Contrast
The streets were quiet. Stores were closed. People stayed indoors, peeking out from behind curtains. The town had never seen a storm like this before.
The town had never seen a storm like this before
What is the main idea?
The most important point or message of a paragraph
These sentences give more information about the main idea.
Supporting Details
Imagine a forest alive with colors—crimson leaves flutter down gently, a cool breeze rustles through towering pines, and the scent of pine needles fills the air. Birds chirp melodiously as a small brook babbles nearby, creating a peaceful sanctuary away from the noise of the city.
Descriptive
Words like “however,” “on the other hand,” and “similarly” are examples of this kind of language.
Transition Words
Students spend hours studying, yet they often feel unprepared. Maybe it’s not the time but how they use it. Study strategies may matter more than hours spent.
Study strategies may matter more than hours spent.
Can a paragraph have more than one main idea?
No, a paragraph usually has one main idea.
Which of these is a detail:
A. “Dogs are great.”
B. “Dogs can be trained to help people.”
B. “Dogs can be trained to help people.”
Although smartphones and tablets are both portable devices with touchscreens, they serve slightly different functions. Smartphones are optimized for communication and mobility, while tablets are designed for media consumption and productivity. Size, battery life, and app performance are also factors that distinguish the two.
Compare and Contrast
If a paragraph argues that students should have longer recess for better health, it is this type.
Argumentative Paragraph
People often believe that success comes from talent alone. However, studies show that hard work and persistence often matter more than natural ability.
People often believe that success comes from talent alone.
Birds migrate south for the winter. They travel thousands of miles to find warmer climates.
Birds migrate south for the winter
What is the main role of a concluding sentence?
To restate the main idea and wrap up the paragraph