PARAGRAPHS: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, STRUCTURE, ELEMENTS - LITERATURE - 2025

The paragraphs are unitary structures of communication through which ideas are developed related to the same topic. In other words, they are extracts from a text that are made up of main and secondary sentences or expressions.

On the other hand, the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines the paragraph as the minimum part of a writing in prose that is made up of similar and consecutive ideas. These fragments are identified because they start with a capital letter and their end is determined by a full stop.

Paragraphs are unitary communication structures through which ideas related to the same topic are developed. Source: pixabay.com.

The etymological origin of the word paragraph comes from the Greek word paragraphos. This in turn is composed of the prefix para, which is translated as "similar", next to and next to, and by the verb grapho, which means writing. So the paragraphs are writings made up of similar approaches.

One of the primary characteristics of paragraphs is the way ideas are placed. In such a way that the main ones are expressed first, followed by the secondary ones, which serve as reinforcement and together give the writing coherence and uniformity.

Paragraph characteristics

The paragraphs have the following characteristics:

Start and end

A paragraph is quickly identified because it begins with a capital letter that is preceded by a small space, which is known as an indentation. On the other hand, it ends with a full stop that suggests the end of the idea to make way for a new one that is linked to the same topic.

Main sentence

Every paragraph is made up of a main sentence, which is easily recognized because it is the one that is responsible for exposing the most important idea of ​​all the sentences that occur in that part. It is this linear unity that begins to give meaning and coherence to the text.

The topic sentence can be located at the beginning, middle, or end of the paragraph.

Secondary sentence

The secondary sentences are those that are derived from the main one, that is, they continue with the sequence of the approach or idea. In such a way that within a paragraph they can be presented in two ways: coordinated and subordinate.

Now, coordinated sentences are those that by themselves have logic and sense, they are also intertwined or linked by links. On the other hand, subordinates are those that have meaning according to the statement expressed by other sentences.

Types of paragraphs

Paragraphs of a book marked in red

The paragraphs can be of different types, including the following:

Introductory

As its name suggests, this variety of paragraphs is responsible for introducing the main ideas of a given topic.

Developmental

The development paragraphs are those that conceptualize and argue the idea that was raised in the introduction.

Conclusion

Simply, these types of paragraphs are responsible for finalizing all the ideas and approaches presented throughout the development of a particular text.

Of cause and effect

In the cause and effect paragraphs, events or events are reported and the causes that produced them are explained accordingly.

Narratives

This variety of paragraphs consists of manifesting or exposing the events sequentially and in chronological order. So they are very common in stories, literary texts, news, reports and chronicles.

Descriptive

The descriptive paragraphs detail the information on the subject in detail in order to awaken the senses of the receiver. The author uses the force of words to express without reservation the qualities and aspects of what was discussed. In general, these paragraphs use literary devices.

Argumentative

This class of paragraphs is focused on convincing or persuading the reader on a certain topic. The writer tends to contrast, debate and oppose approaches with the intention that the receiver sets a position on the matter.

Exhibitions

Expository paragraphs are characterized by fully and deeply explaining the ideas or approaches of a specific topic. However, its extension and complexity will depend on the content that is developed.

Relative

In this type of paragraph the information that is exposed is not concrete, but the interpretation is subject to the understanding and knowledge of each recipient. Commonly, the relative paragraphs are observed in documents of a scientific, technological and medical nature.

Comparatives

Comparative paragraphs are intended to establish similarities or differences between two or more ideas.

Enumeratives

The enumeration paragraphs are those that expose a series of events, concepts, definitions, elements or characteristics from the most relevant ideas to those of less importance or value.

Dialogues

In simple terms, the spoken paragraphs express conversations and exchanges of ideas between a sender and a receiver. They are common in stories, fables, and novels.

Paragraph structure

A paragraph is also understood to be the minimum part of a writing in prose. Source: pixabay.com.

Paragraphs are made up of an internal and an external structure. Each of them is briefly explained below:

Internal structure

The internal structure of the paragraphs is made up of a series of ideas that are related to each other with respect to a particular topic, which are linked or joined through connectives. In addition, all approaches arise from a central statement or sentence.

In addition to the above, it is added that the central sentence becomes the main one because it contains the most relevant information in a summarized and explicit manner. On the other hand, secondary ideas complement, expand and specify the rest of the arguments that the writer wishes to make to the readers.

External structure

Regarding the external structure of the paragraphs, these are constituted by a capital letter at the beginning, by spelling pauses and punctuation marks, to finally complete the idea with a full stop. As for the extension, it will depend on the content of the topic and the author.

Elements

As mentioned in previous lines, paragraphs are made up of a group of sentences structured and hierarchical in terms of their level of importance.

So the main elements of these communicative units are the set of main and secondary sentences that shape the ideas and approaches.

Qualities

The paragraphs are made up of a series of qualities that allow them to be developed with particularity, organization and compatibility. The following are the most prominent:

Cohesion

Cohesion within paragraphs is related to the link and agreement between words and sentences. Through this quality, the text makes a logical sense, which in turn facilitates understanding by readers.

Coherence

Consistency refers to the way sentences and ideas are distributed within the paragraph. That is, to the way they are organized so that the text or writing enjoys hierarchy, clarity and logic. This quality is evidenced in the sequence that exists between the main and secondary sentences.

Unit

Unity is associated with criteria and continuity of ideas in a paragraph. In other words, this quality refers to the communion that exists between the main approach and the secondary ones. Therefore, all sentences must point in the same direction to achieve compatibility.

Rhythm

The rhythm of the paragraphs is closely linked to the elements that compose it. This means that the dynamism and speed are conditioned by the punctuation marks and especially by the statement that is presented in the main idea.

Style

The style of the paragraphs is marked by originality, creativity and the intention of the author or writer when transmitting a message. Now, the fact that there is particularity at the time of writing does not mean that the characteristics, structures and elements that make up these units of expression are left aside.

Paragraph examples

Home

A house is a construction created to be inhabited. This term is commonly used to speak of those buildings of a variable number of floors, with doors, windows, bathrooms and other facilities and that are intended to be inhabited by a family.

A house is different from an apartment, since the latter belong to a construction larger than them and share space with others in the same way. The houses are individual units.

The main objective of the houses is to give shelter and protection to a family nucleus from all the adversities that the environment can present. The materials with which a house is built are variable, as well as the environments that it may have. The size of the houses is conditioned by the purchasing power of the owner and her tastes.

The sea

The word sea comes from the Latin mare, which means "portion of salty water". This word is used to identify the large expanses of salty water that planet earth has. It is necessary to say that a sea is also considered a lake whose dimensions are considerable.

It is also important to note that when talking about the word sea, it refers to a portion of water that is smaller than that of an ocean. That is, in order of size (from small to large), salt water bodies can be organized like this: lake, sea, ocean.

References

1. Paragraph. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
2. Meaning of paragraph. (2018). (N / A): Meanings. Recovered from: significados.com.
3. Pérez, J. and Gardey, A. (2013). (N / A): Definition. From. Recovered from: definicion.de.
4. Paragraphs. (2014). (N / A): Language, Communication and Culture. Recovered from: petionlenguaje1.blogspot.com.
5. Arias, E. (2019). The paragraph. (N / a): Dictionary of Doubts. Recovered from: dictionarydedudas.com.