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The ParagraphAlso see ¶, coh, dev, and ¶u in Correction Symbols One and Correction Symbols Two.
A paragraph is a group of related sentences. A good paragraph is unified, coherent, and well-developed. Below are examples of awful, bad, fair, and good paragraphs.
A. Paragraph A below is awful. It has three serious problems: It lacks unity, coherence, and development. (It also has some other problems, but we won’t worry about those here.)
Paragraph A:
Shoes should be good-looking. They should also be durable. A jacket should be good-looking and durable too. The most important quality of shoes is comfort. Shoes should be inexpensive too.
B. Paragraph B below is a little better than paragraph A, but it is still a bad paragraph. It is unified (a topic sentence has been added; the sentence about a jacket has been deleted), but it still lacks coherence and development.
Paragraph B:
An ideal pair of shoes would have four qualities. They would be good-looking. They would be durable. Most important, they would be comfortable. They would not be expensive.
C. Paragraph C below is also bad, but it is much better than paragraphs A and B. It is unified and coherent (the sentences have been arranged in a logical order; transitions have been added) but it still lacks development.
Paragraph C:
An ideal pair of shoes would have four qualities. First, they would be good-looking. Second, they would be durable. Third, they would not be expensive. Fourth, and most important, they would be comfortable.
D. Paragraph D below is a good paragraph. It is unified (it has a topic sentence; all sentences are related to one idea); it is coherent (the sentences are arranged in a logical order; transitions have been used); and it is well-developed (details and a conclusion have been added).
Paragraph D:
An ideal pair of men’s shoes would have four qualities. First, they would be good-looking. I don’t like shoes with pointed toes, high heels, or a lot of unnecessary decoration. I like a plain brown or black shoe made of good leather. Second, they would be durable. I don’t want a pair of shoes that will wear out in a few months. I expect a good pair of shoes to last a few years. When I buy shoes, I look for good materials (leather uppers, hard rubber soles and heels) and good workmanship. Third, they would not be expensive. Of course, I expect to pay for quality, but I don’t think I should need to get a bank loan to buy shoes. I think the kind of shoes I like should cost around $120. Fourth, and most important, they would be comfortable. I spend a lot of time on my feet. I’m a teacher, and I’m usually standing or pacing around when I’m in the classroom. I also like to walk and I get most of my regular exercise by walking. An uncomfortable pair of shoes would make my life miserable. If I could find a pair of shoes with these four qualities, I might buy two or three pairs. Then I wouldn’t have to buy shoes again for a long time.
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