Lunsford and Robert (1995: 116) state that a paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence forming a unit”. You can understand that a paragraph is the combination of sentences or a single sentence that supports only one main idea. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Next, supporting sentences related to the topic sentence and its controlling ideas should be presented with specific examples and detailed explanations. Finally, at the end of the paragraph there is a concluding sentence that reiterates the central idea. According to Rosen and Laurence (1997: 119), there are four essential elements that an effective paragraph should coherently contain, namely a topic sentence, unity, coherence and sufficient development. To be more specific, all sentences in a paragraph must refer to the main idea of the article that maintains a coherent flow. Furthermore, sentences must be organized in a logical and definitive way. A topic sentence is considered to be the most vital part of a paragraph that states the main idea of a paragraph. Without a topic sentence, it is difficult for readers to control the entire opinion conveyed. Furthermore, each idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details to explain document control.
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