Types of Paragraphs with Example

Writing starts with a word. You turn those words into a phrase. They help you make a sentence. They combine under a paragraph. Those paragraphs turn your text into a content.

That content matters. And, so your words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.

Every little thing is super important when it comes to writing.

I previously discussed sentence starters for writing and the main types of sentences that can help you write better.

But, are you aware of popular paragraph types? Or what kind of paragraphs are there in terms of nature? How to pick the right paragraph type while writing? What kind of paragraphs have you been writing in the past?

Some people say there are three types of paragraphs while many suggest there are four kinds of paragraphs!

Which figure is true? Some even say there are seven different types of paragraphs!

Confused?

I have been writing content for the past 7 years and I was you a few years back.

Yes, I was surprised yet curious to know the actual paragraph types.

And it made me a better writer after I learned about those different paragraph types.

In this guide, I will walk you through different types of paragraphs with examples and when to use them while writing.

But before, it is equally important for us to learn about the key elements of a paragraph.

What are the main paragraph elements?

A paragraph typically has four key elements. These elements are:

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a paragraph.

It isn’t necessary for a paragraph to start with a topic sentence.

But, it helps the writer to introduce the main area of focus. 

With a topic sentence, the writer can set the direction of what he’s going to discuss within the paragraph.

Supporting Sentences

A supporting sentence just as the name suggests is used to support an argument.

A writer typically provides evidence, some details along with examples.

A supporting sentence helps the writer to develop the main idea around the topic sentence.

From there, it becomes easier to expand the actual discussion or point of focus.

Tip: Our paragraph lengthener uses AI-powered capabilities and such understanding to expand your content. Try it for free and see how useful it could be for your writing and overall context.

Transitions

If you’re writing content for articles, the paragraphs should be shorter.

Lengthy paragraphs work best for essays but not for general content writing.

Here comes another element of the paragraph that helps you in this regard.

It is the transition element.

It basically helps a content writer to link words and connect ideas.

This way, a writer connects sentences or paragraphs with each other.

Transitions are necessary for adding flow and making writing structure more cohesive.

I would recommend you to use compound/complex sentences during transition to connect multiple ideas.

It will help you add more depth, clarity as well as variety between ideas.

Concluding Sentence

Ending a paragraph is as crucial as starting.

Do not use words like although, furthermore, or however to start a sentence in this regard.

Using conjunctions can disrupt the flow of a paragraph.

It tends to make writing seem disjointed rather than cohesive.

A concluding sentence has to summarize the key points or restates the topic in a way that wraps up the paragraph.

It's often used when the paragraph is independent or a significant part of an argument.

Before I move towards discussing different kinds of paragraphs, I would recommend using an AI paragraph summary maker. It works even if you just give 100 words. It provides a summary accurately in terms of key points or paragraph form.

What are the main types of paragraphs?

Paragraphs can be written in different ways.

There are more than 7 types of paragraphs but other types are not used so often.

Mainly, a paragraph has four main types. For a student or a content writer, these types are enough and do the needful.

The different kinds of paragraphs include:

1. Expository Paragraphs

Expository paragraphs are commonly used in academic writing, articles, reports, and textbooks.

They are the most frequently used paragraphs overall.

A well written expository paragraph typically contains 4-6 sentences.

Expository paragraphs teach by explaining facts. They use research and proof to share knowledge.

Numbers, quotes, and examples support the main point.

Logical order and connections guide the reader. The goal is to educate the reader with real information.

Expository paragraph example

Let’s learn this through an example. I will write a paragraph in view of students who find it difficult to learn mathematics.

Many students struggle with math because it requires understanding abstract concepts and applying them to solve problems. For example, algebra involves using letters to represent numbers, which can be confusing at first. Practicing these skills regularly helps build confidence and makes the concepts easier to grasp.

2. Narrative Paragraphs

A narrative paragraph is typically used in storytelling, creative writing, and personal anecdotes.

Narrative paragraphs are the second most used paragraph type.

A well written expository paragraph typically contains 5-8 sentences.

They are used ideally for telling a short story.

They tell what happened in chronological order. They have a start, a middle, and an end.

The goal is to get the reader interested in what happens in the story.

Narrative paragraph example:

The context of this example includes a student who’s telling about his challenges.

When I was in school, math was my biggest challenge. I remember one day when I sat down to solve an algebra problem and just couldn’t figure it out. My teacher noticed my frustration and came over to help. She showed me a different way to approach the problem, and suddenly, everything clicked. That moment gave me the confidence to keep trying.

3. Persuasive Paragraphs

A writer uses persuasive paragraphs for opinion pieces, advertisements, and argumentative essays.

After narrative paragraphs, the third most used paragraph type is persuasive paragraph

Typically persuasive paragraphs contain 5-7 sentences.

A persuasive paragraph tries to get the reader to agree with an opinion. They use examples, experts, and logical arguments.

Asking questions and using emotional language strengthens the argument.

The ending asks the reader to take action. The goal is to convince the reader.

Persuasive paragraphs example:

The classroom was quiet, with only the soft scratching of pencils on paper. The math problems on the board looked like a puzzle of numbers and letters. Sunlight streamed through the window, lighting up the worried faces of students trying to make sense of it all. The air was filled with concentration, with furrowed brows and occasional signs of confusion.

4. Descriptive Paragraphs

A descriptive paragraph is commonly used in creative writing and descriptive essays, but less often used as standalone paragraphs.

When it comes to different kinds of paragraphs, a descriptive paragraph is used less than other major paragraph types.

A well written descriptive paragraph isn’t more than 5-8 sentences.

Descriptive paragraphs use many details.

The details help you picture things in your mind. The paragraphs tell about the five senses.

This makes a clear picture in your mind.

Details like colors, textures, and sizes help you see it in your head.

The writer wants you to feel like you are really there. They describe it so you can imagine it.

Descriptive paragraph example:

Math is a skill everyone can learn, and it's important to keep practicing, even when it feels difficult. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to understand complex problems. If you break down each problem step by step and stay patient with yourself, you’ll see improvement. Don’t give up—math is challenging, but mastering it can be very rewarding.

Wrapping up

Writing has two phases. Content isn’t as easy as someone thinks or isn't as difficult as one could imagine.

Our paragraph writer helps you write different kinds of paragraphs.

And the best part, the content isn’t flagged as AI written.

I also discussed actionable steps to humanize AI content, read and implement those steps to effectively turn AI content look like human written.

Although we do offer a paragraph rewriter online, you wouldn’t need it if you’re creating paragraphs using our online tool.

However, if you have underperforming or AI-written content, you can use our paragraph rewriter as well.

If you’re a student, writer or someone who loves to write, try to learn more about different kinds of paragraphs.

Try to learn when to use them and how to effectively write a perfect paragraph. As soon as you learn about this, you’ll help yourself writing better and with more control.