Making Your Paragraphs Effective:

Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
 Learning Objective

• To know how to develop effective

paragraphs by understanding the
characteristics that make a
paragraph effective
Key Understanding
 Understanding the characteristics that make a
paragraph effective is essential in helping to
enhance your skill in writing effective
paragraphs.

Key Question
 How does a paragraph become effective?
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
1. UNITY

 It means that all of the sentences in the

paragraph are related to the topic sentence.
－ The whole paragraph should begin and
end with one focus only.
－ Each of the details should have a clear
and consistent connection to the topic
sentence.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
A short activity on UNITY
Ordinary Filipinos can easily promote our country to foreigners via social
media by supporting the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) “It’s more fun in
the Philippines” campaign. First, they can share and like official publicity
materials from the DOT’s Facebook page. Each time a post is shared and
liked, it becomes increasingly visible on Facebook and can reach a wider
audience. Next, they can tweet their experiences in various local tourist
destinations on Twitter using the hashtag like #ItsMoreFunInPH. When
many users tweet using a specific hashtag, it becomes a trending topic and
can be viewed by Twitter users around the world. They can also tell stories
to their foreign friends by talking to them and volunteering to tour them
around in our top tourist destinations. Finally, they can share their own
travel photos on Instagram. Because pictures can be worth a thousand
words, their pictures can reveal to foreigners the beauty of the travel
destinations the Philippines is blessed with. These, and so much more, are
just some examples of how Filipinos can participate in the DOT’s campaign
through social media.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
2. ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT

 It means the topic sentence in the paragraph

should be elaborated on using concrete
evidence, different examples, relevant facts, and
specific details.

 Having specific details helps readers become

interested in the topic, understand the message,
and convince them of the validity of the topic
sentence.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
A short activity on ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT
VERSION 1:
I dislike PE. Why is it that we have to waste class time playing sports that
we have no choice in? Who said basketball is the best sport? I hate PE
because it makes me tired. It makes my skin dark. Finally, I hate it because
I look stupid when I play sports.

VERSION 2:
I am one student who has a strong dislike for PE. First, I do not like how we
have little choice in the sports we play in. We usually play basketball,
volleyball, or other team sports. I am someone who prefers one-on-one
games because I am shy and I find it hard to work in a team. Second, most
sports we choose involves outdoor settings. My skin is sensitive to the sun
and I get allergies and become dark easily when exposed to sunlight for
too long. Finally, most sports we play are spectator sports. They are meant
to be played before a cheering audience. As someone who is self-
conscious when playing sports (especially since I am not sporty), I am
uncomfortable when all eyes are on me. Overall, I believe I will enjoy this
subject more if we had more options in the sports that we take up.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
3. COHERENCE

 It means that the sentences are arranged in a

logical manner, making them easily understood
by the reader.

 It is achieved when ideas flow smoothly within

and between paragraphs.

 A paragraph can become more coherent through

the use of logical order and signal devices.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
How can a paragraph become more coherent through
the use of LOGICAL ORDER?

1. Chronological Order. The details are arranged in

order in which they happened.

2. Spatial Order. The sentences of a paragraph are

arranged according to geographical location,
such as left to right, up to down, etc.

3. Emphatic Order. The information found in a

paragraph is arranged to emphasize certain
points depending on the writer’s purpose.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
How can a paragraph become more coherent through
the use of SIGNAL DEVICES?

 SIGNAL DEVICES are words that give readers

an idea of how the points in your paragraph are
progressing.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
What are examples of SIGNAL DEVICES?
1. Transitions
－ words and phrases that connect one idea to
another
a. Time
first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after,
earlier, simultaneously, finally, next, in the meantime, later,
eventually, then, meanwhile, now, subsequently, etc.

b. Sequence
moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first,
second, third, besides, additionally, etc.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
What are examples of SIGNAL DEVICES?
1. Transitions
－ words and phrases that connect one idea to
another

c. Space
above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.

d. Illustration
for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case,
to illustrate, etc.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
What are examples of SIGNAL DEVICES?
1. Transitions
－ words and phrases that connect one idea to
another

e. Comparison
similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison,
too, etc.

f. Contrast
but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand,
although, on the contrary, otherwise, conversely, etc.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
What are examples of SIGNAL DEVICES?
1. Transitions
－ words and phrases that connect one idea to
another

g. Cause and Effect

because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since, etc.

h. Conclusion
thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.
 Characteristics of an
Effective Paragraph
What are examples of SIGNAL DEVICES?
2. Repetitions
－ repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and
highlight important ideas
3. Synonyms
－ words similar in meaning to important words or
phrases that prevent tedious repetitions
4. Pronouns
－ words that connect readers to the original word
that the pronouns replace
5. Parallelism
－ using similar sentence structures