Ways We Use Paragraph Content
At this point in our module, we will look at some examples of the four types of paragraphs.
DEFINITION PARAGRAPH
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Often, an extended definition of one term begets other definitions. Here, part of the definition for "mortgage equity withdrawal"—"real value"-- needs to be defined as well.
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Many home buyers will eventually receive an offer to take out a loan based on the assessed real value of their home. This loan is called a mortgage equity withdrawal. A mortgage equity withdrawal is a label to describe the decision a home buyer makes to borrow money against the real value of his or her home; "real value" is determined when the current value of the home is subtracted by any liabilities, like the existing mortgage. Often, financial consultants may discourage homeowners from pursuing a mortgage equity withdrawal since a home's current value is so often determined by external economic factors.
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In this definition paragraph, part of the definition is used as the paragraph's topic sentence.
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In a definition paragraph, writers strive to maintain a neutral tone since the primary objective is typically to be informative.
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COMPARISON PARAGRAPH
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A comparison and contrast paragraph can be organized in a number of ways. In this paragraph, the two items (semi-colon and colon) being compared are discussed separately from each other.
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Two types of punctuation are often confused: the semi-colon and the colon.The semi-colon's primary purpose is somewhat of an oxymoron; its purpose is to demonstrate a connected separation. It separates two complete sentences while simultaneously it shows that these two sentences are connected by content or purpose. It is used to separate items in a list that already come with a comma, such as cities and states. Yet, while it serves to show where one item in the list ends and another begins, it also allows these items to be connected into one coherent list. A colon's purpose is mainly one of introduction. It can introduce ideas, quotations, lists, or explanations. As two of the more rarely used punctuation marks, the semi-colon and colon are often used interchangeably. Many people find they even look alike. Their primary purposes, however, are distinct and should not be confused.
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The topic sentence establishes the comparison.
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The first and last sentence of this paragraph explain why the comparison is necessary—to eradicate confusion.
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DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPH
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Descriptive writing appeals to all five sentences. This sentence helps us hear what is happening at "the place."
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These raw, temporary mining towns are much alike the world over, one supposes, though perhaps a little worse up here in the far north. It was late at night when we reached the place, but saloon and dance-hall were ablaze with light and loud with the raucity of phonographs and the stamping of feet. Everything was "wide open," and there was not even the thinnest veneer of respectability. Drinking and gambling and dancing go on all night long. Drunken men reel out upon the snow; painted faces leer over muslin curtains as one passes by. Without any government, without any pretense of municipal organization, there is no co-operation for public enterprise. There are no streets, there are no sidewalks save such as a man may choose to lay in front of his own premises, and the simplest sanitary precautions are entirely neglected. Nothing but the cold climate of the north prevents epidemic disease from sweeping through these places. They rise in a few days wherever gold is found in quantities, they flourish as the production increases, decline with its decline, and are left gaunt, dark, and abandoned so soon as the diggings are exhausted.*
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In this topic sentence, the writer states where and what is being described.
Descriptive writing will use more vivid language, like "raw," than other writing as it attempts to paint a picture through words.
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Even in descriptive writing, ideas are present. The description of the saloon attempts to convey this idea that without a clear authority, society slips into chaos.
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*Paragraph retrieved from:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22965/22965-h/22965-h.htm
From the book Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled (Copyright expired.)
ANALYSIS PARAGRAPH
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The analysis paragraph begins by establishing the topic.
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Power describes an ability to influence other people. Power has always been an important role in our society. In order to function, society will always have to have power as the world is unable to function without someone being in charge. In the play Julius Caesar, Caesar proves that people crave a strong and powerful leader. He shows power through his military might and popularity. For example, when Caesar said do something everyone followed; they never questioned his authority. Brutus's power differs from Caesar's insofar as Brutus uses his honorable reputation in order to garner power among a select few. Cassius demonstrate a third type of power: manipulation. As a man who could "see through the deeds of men," Cassius thought too much, according to Caesar. In the characters Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius, it is evident that there is power that you use for others and power that you use for your own self. Power will eventually benefit or ruin society.*
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By the third sentence, the paragraph offers its particular angle on the topic. It funnels from a discussion of power in general to an analysis of how power is used in a particular piece of writing.
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An analysis paragraph will also use quotations sparingly so that the writer's own analytical skills are most apparent.
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An analysis paragraph will use examples and explanation to break down a more complex concept.
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Like the other kinds of paragraphs, this paragraph ends with a conclusion sentence that reiterates the general idea without repeating it verbatim.
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*The above paragraph is from a tenth grade student essay on Julius Caesar.
In our first three paragraph types—definition, comparison, and description, the writer is often relying on his or her own observations or knowledge base. Yet, in analysis, the writer is working closely with something outside of himself. For that reason, in an analysis paragraph, the writer must rely on evidence to support the topic sentence.
Self Check Area

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Let's check your understanding of paragraph content. Click on the "Self Check Quiz" wording below to get started.
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Open/Close Self Check Quiz
Click here to go to the review section for Module 3: Paragraph Content.
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