Skip to Main Content

Mini-module: Quick Guide to Writing Parapraphs

6. ArrangingPage 6 of 7

Decorative

 

Facts:

It is important to put your paragraphs in the right order so that your reader can understand easily. You should choose the best way to do this, for example: 

  • Logical order – understanding one thing depends on understanding another thing 
  • Time order –  earlier events/theories, then later ones
  • General to specific – background first, then details
  • Arguments against your conclusion, then arguments for it.

 

Examples:

Here are some examples of the different ways you can use to arrange paragraphs in an order that will be clear to readers:

  • Paragraph 1 – The way the NHS is organised
  • Paragraph 2 – A problem caused by this organisational structure. 

  • Paragraph 1 –  Teaching techniques in the 1990s
  • Paragraph 2 –  Teaching techniques in the 2000s.

  • Paragraph 1 –  Space exploration in the 2020s
  • Paragraph 2 –  Chinese space exploration in the 2020s.

  • Paragraph 1 –  Reasons to see sport as bad for children
  • Paragraph 2 –  Reasons to see sport as good for children.

 

Exercise:

What methods were used in the organisation of the pairs of paragraphs above? Now choose the best description in the choices below.