IN THIS LESSON

English Language Essentials

Paragraphs help organize your writing so that ideas are clear and easy to follow. In transactional writing, paragraphs introduce new points logically. In creative writing, they help develop characters, settings, and themes.

You’ll need to use paragraphs in your exams—so mastering them is essential!

Paragraphing for Effect
Paragraphs aren’t just about making your work look neat. They guide the reader through your ideas and control the pace of your writing.

New paragraph = new idea – Every time you introduce a fresh point, start a new paragraph.
Short paragraphs = impact – A single-line paragraph can create suspense, highlight an important idea, or slow things down for dramatic effect.

Example:
She heard a noise downstairs.
She froze.
Something creaked.

Short paragraphs like these build tension, making the reader feel on edge.

English Language Activity

Structuring Paragraphs for Persuasion

Use the Point-Evidence-Explain (PEE) method to write a persuasive paragraph about an issue you care about.

Point – Make a clear statement.
Evidence – Support it with a fact, statistic, or example.
Explain – Show why this matters.

Example:
Everyone should have access to free public transport.
In cities like Luxembourg, free transport has reduced congestion and air pollution. If more countries followed this model, we could cut emissions and make commuting easier for all.

📝 Your Turn: Write a persuasive paragraph on a topic of your choice. Try using a rhetorical question at the end for impact!

Bonus Tip

Want to add extra impact to your writing? Try these tricks:

Varied sentence lengths – Mixing short and long sentences keeps writing interesting.
One-sentence paragraphs – Great for creating emphasis: This changes everything.

Rhetorical questions – Engage the reader: Do we really want a future without ice caps?

Bonus Activity

Structuring Paragraphs to Inform

Informative paragraphs start with a topic sentence, followed by supporting details.

Example:
School clubs improve student well-being.
Studies show that students in extracurricular activities are happier and perform better in school. Clubs provide a sense of belonging, reduce stress, and help develop new skills.

📝 Your Turn: Write an informative paragraph about an activity or hobby you enjoy. Start with a strong topic sentence and add details to support your point.

Knowledge Check/Review

Fill in the blanks in the paragraph below using the words provided. This will test your understanding of paragraph structure!

Words to use: topic sentence, evidence, persuade, new idea, explain

Paragraph:
When writing to _________, each paragraph should start with a _________. This introduces the main point of the paragraph. Then, you should include _________ to support your argument, such as facts or examples. Finally, you need to _________ how your evidence proves your point. Remember, each paragraph should focus on a _________ to keep your writing clear and organized.

Challenge: After completing the paragraph, write your own persuasive paragraph using the same structure!