O paragraph corresponds to a textual structure where information of a text is contained, being characterized by an indentation in relation to the left margin of the text.
The text constitutes a cohesive whole, being composed of several paragraphs. These are made up of several sentences, which have a certain coherence and cohesion between them, that is, a central idea through punctuation and the use of cohesive elements adequate to the text's semantics.
The passage from one paragraph to another will depend on the content and the purpose of the issuer to build it.
From this, remember that the effectiveness of a text or of approaching a topic is formed through the speech and the concatenation of the ideas presented by the speaker (issuer), in order to allow the interlocutor's understanding (receiver).
The word, from the Greek “paragraphs” means “to write on the side” or “written on the side”, being its symbol (§), still widely used in legislative articles.
It is interesting to note that the paragraph symbol is equivalent to two esse (S) involved, which represent the initials of the Latin words "
signumsectional” (section, cut signal).Paragraph Types
Depending on the size and type of text, paragraphs are classified into:
- long: widely used in academic texts, monographs, theses and articles, as they present concepts, definitions and examples.
- medium: Commonly found in media such as magazines and newspapers. This type of paragraph holds the reader's attention, as your ideas are presented in a less extensive way.
- short: found in children's texts or advertisements. Consisting of few words and, in the case of advertisements, use of prominent phrases.
- Narratives: use the resources of narrative texts (telling a story) for the construction of the paragraph as the predominance of action verbs. In this case, if the speech used is the direct one, there may be dashes to indicate the characters' lines.
- Descriptions: paragraphs full of adjectives, connecting verbs and coordinated sentences, which present a description and/or appreciation of an object, person, place, event, among others.
- Essays: paragraphs that present an idea; his proposal is to defend it through argumentation.
Paragraph Structuring
The constitution of a paragraph involves three fundamental parts:
- Introduction: called “phrase topic”, this part defines the whole idea of the paragraph. Some resources that help to structure a phrasal topic are: a historical allusion, initial statement, interrogation, among others.
- Development: moment of explanation and/or explanation of the initial topic (phrase). Some ways to develop the text are: development by definition, reasoning, examples, details, comparison
- Conclusion: In this part, there is the finishing and the resumption to close the initial idea.
Examples of paragraphs
Below are some examples of the different types of paragraphs:
1. Long Paragraph
"It is interesting to note that the success of the work was not temporary and its recognition resulted in an increase considerable number of sales and editions over these years, above all, the knowledge and recognition of the public; and, if we think about it, we are already sure that this 'legendary character' has acquired a prominent position, as it is considered one of the greatest works children and youth in Brazil, currently being used in schools as an access tool and, consequently, to spread the taste for reading. In addition, it was adapted for cinema, television series and cartoons, expanding even more the common mischief moments of this crazy boy”.
2. Middle Paragraph
"Writer and educator Rubem Alves (80 years old), has been hospitalized since July 10 in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). That morning, he died at the Hospital Centro Médico de Campinas-SP, with multiple organ failure."
3. short paragraph
"Buy now with 50% off".
4. Narrative Paragraph
"Concerned with the discussion the night before, Sofia preferred to call Dora, and tell her about what had happened, before someone else did:
“Hi Dora, how are you? I'm calling to tell you that Joaquim was at the party yesterday and we ended up arguing for the same reason, but this time he changed too much."
5. Descriptive Paragraph
"Adélia managed to buy her dream house in a condominium near the mountain, with a garage, garden, swimming pool and leisure area. At the bottom is the fully equipped kitchen (with washing machine and cupboards), the laundry room, the living rooms (dining room and living room), and also the small bathroom with rustic decoration. At the top of the house are the bedrooms (totaling 5), all of which are suites, have carpet and built-in closet."
6. Dissertation Paragraph
"Humanitarian slaughter defends, above all, the animal's well-being, guaranteed throughout its life until the moment of slaughter. Some believe that this type of slaughter, unlike traditional slaughter, favors the quality of the meat, since the animal feels a lower rate of stress. However, this type of classification is consistent with the traditional slaughter system, so that the sentient animal certainly does not live happily confined and, like all beings, does not wish to die. Likewise, the end of these animals, whether in the traditional slaughter system or in the ironic expression “humane” slaughter is the same: the death and suffering of a life without freedom."