8 Common Mistakes in Paragraph Writing

Mistakes in writing paragraphs are often found not only in essays written by novice writers but also experienced writers. For an essay to convey the author's ideas, a paragraph must be free of mistakes, both grammatically and organizationally.

There have been many articles that discuss mistakes in writing paragraphs but based on in-depth investigation, we conclude that the list of common mistakes in writing paragraphs mentioned in their articles needs to be reviewed. Therefore, I wrote this article to discuss some common mistakes in paragraph writing.

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Redefining Paragraph

A paragraph is a container for ideas that are arranged either in one long sentence or several sentences that explain each other. There is no specific size of a paragraph; the size of a paragraph depends on the complexity of the ideas described in the paragraph. Therefore, writers who mention "too short paragraphs" or "too long paragraphs" are a mistake need to review their knowledge of paragraphs.

In an essay, paragraphs can carry out their functions as introductory paragraphs, body paragraphs, and closing or conclusion paragraphs. Each paragraph has at least three elements, two of which are mandatory and one of which is optional. The mandatory elements in a normal paragraph are the main idea and supporting ideas. Meanwhile, what is optional is the conclusion idea. The main idea is mentioned in a sentence called a topical sentence, supporting ideas are mentioned in supporting sentences called supporting details. Meanwhile, a conclusion idea is basically a restatement of the main idea mentioned in a different sentence structure.

A paragraph should ideally consist of one main idea and several supporting ideas. The sentences that make up a paragraph represent these two ideas. Sentences that represent the main idea are called topical sentences and sentences that represent supporting ideas are called supporting details.

If a paragraph consists of a single sentence, then that sentence represents the main idea and there is nothing wrong with that. Short paragraphs like this are usually used to convey simple ideas, which do not require detailed explanations.

There is only one important sentence in a paragraph, the topical sentence. However, complex ideas require detailed explanations so that a proportionate number of supporting sentences is needed. The function of supporting sentences is to explain topical sentences so that the main idea conveyed through a paragraph can be understood.

As a container that holds ideas, paragraphs in an essay relate to one another. Relationships between paragraphs describe relationships between ideas. The relationships can vary: one idea supports another, one idea is compared to another, and one idea is opposed to another, these relationships are characterized by the use of appropriate transition signals.

A transition signal is the part of a paragraph that marks a transition from one idea to another. Improper use of transition signals is also one of the mistakes that other authors have not mentioned.

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8 Common Mistakes in Paragraph Writing

You've seen a paragraph, both long and short. Have you ever had difficulty understanding the ideas conveyed through these paragraphs? For example, after reading a paragraph over and over again, you're still wondering "what was the author really trying to convey?" It's not just your inability to grasp the idea; even a skilled reader can experience the same difficulty if the paragraph he reads contains the following common mistakes:

1. Separate topical sentences and supporting details

A topical sentence should not be separated from supporting details or supporting sentences. Some paragraphs seem to lack a topical sentence (main idea) and maybe that's true. However, in some cases, the main idea may be written in the previous paragraph so that it is separated from the supporting sentences. A paragraph consisting of only supporting sentences cannot be understood because the reader does not find "what idea is being explained through the supporting sentences."

2. There is more than one topic sentence in a paragraph

The rule in writing paragraphs is only one: there can only be one main idea in a paragraph. That is, there can only be one topical sentence in the paragraph. If a sentence consists of more than one topical sentence, then the supporting sentences become ambiguous because the reader cannot detect which main idea is being explained by the supporting sentences. Also, readers (and writers) will lose focus in the paragraph because there is more than one idea to explain. As a result, one of the main ideas in the paragraph is not explained in detail.

3. Absence of a conclusion sentence in a long paragraph

A paragraph can be very long because the main idea conveyed is complicated. A long paragraph should end with a concluding sentence which is basically a restatement of the topical sentence in a different structure.

4. Inappropriate use of transition signals

Transition signals are usually at the beginning of the paragraph which marks the transition of ideas. Examples of transition signals are "therefore", "however", "based on", "in line with", "compared to", "different from", and so on. If you read the examples of transition signals above, you will understand that compatible idea and opposing ideas need to be associated with different transition signals. Included in the use of inappropriate transition signals is not using a transition signal to indicate a transition of ideas.

5. Not logically organized

Paragraph structure follows the arrangement of ideas in an essay. In general, an essay contains ideas that flow from the general to the specific (conical). While there is nothing wrong with starting an essay from a specific idea to a general idea, there is no guarantee that the essay will be completed. Preferably, paragraphs are organized from general ideas to specific ideas so that at the end of reading an essay, the reader can really understand the main idea discussed in the essay.

6. Paragraphs quoted from external sources are not written separately

In scientific writing, citations are commonplace. Sometimes we quote a sentence or two, and sometimes we quote a full paragraph from an external source. Paragraphs quoted from external sources should be separated from other paragraphs; it is important to distinguish between our own ideas and those of others. The font size of the quoted paragraph and the line height (space) of the paragraph is also distinguished from other paragraphs.

7. Unnecessary repetitions

Some writers often repeat the same sentence (in a different structure) several times in a paragraph. This is an ineffective practice of writing a paragraph. If there is a sentence that needs to be repeated in a paragraph, it is a topical sentence that is repeated at the end of the paragraph as a conclusion sentence.

8. Absence of analysis

A paragraph, as a container of ideas, must contain the analysis mentioned in supporting sentences. The analysis in question is supporting sentences that include data or facts to explain the main idea. The main idea cannot be justified without rational reasons conveyed through supporting details.

Some of the common mistakes in paragraph writing above should help you write more understandable paragraphs. Since paragraphs are a container of ideas, only understandable paragraphs can convey your brilliant ideas. Happy writing.