Paragraphs

Writing, in this case, scientific writing is a process, which includes a set of tasks: to read, plan, write, rewrite, read, and seek feedback. Scientific writing implies a structure, language functions, cohesion, connectives, and paragraphs.

The basic structure is:

• Introduction (the subject or topic).
• Development/Body (main ideas – presentation, analysis, and discussion).
• Conclusion (a summary of the main points; individual views/opinions and decisions or recommendations).

The language functions are:

• Each part of the writing will consist of language functions: particular uses and structures of the language organized according to specific purposes – describing, defining, classifying, analyzing.
• Each language function consists of sentences and/or paragraphs that are joined together by connectives.

Cohesion means:

• The way in which the different parts are linked together.
• Feature of a text in which there is a logical flow of ideas.
• Cohesive elements are connectives (words or phrases that indicate a logical relationship).

Sentences are linked by means of connectives. Basic connectives are:

1. and
2. or
3. but

1. and

• Enumeration (first…, furthermore, finally; one, two, three; firstly, secondly, thirdly; next, then…).
• Addition (also, again, further, moreover, besides, above all…).
• Transition (regarding, now, as to…).
• Summation (in conclusion, to sum up briefly, overall, thus…).

2. or

• Reformulation (to express something in another way – rather, better, in other words, in that case…).
• Replacement (to express an alternative to what has preceded – again, alternatively, on the other hand…)

3. but

• Contrast to what has preceded (instead, then, on the contrary, in comparison, whereas…).
• Concession indicates the unexpected nature of what is being said in view of what was said before (however, nevertheless, only, still, although, at any rate, all the same, even though…).

Paragraphs:

• Writing must be divided in paragraphs.
• A paragraph normally contains several sentences that are concerned with the theme contained in the key sentence.
• Key sentence contains the main idea (topic).
• Other sentences support it by adding further information or examples.

We may consider different types of paragraphs:

1. Introductory paragraphs (introduction): Provides the reader with any necessary background information before leading into a clear statement of the writer’s point of view. The point of view, or thesis statement, is a brief and specific statement of the writer’s position in the essay. 
2. Body paragraphs (body of the essay): Follow all flow of ideas logically from the introductory paragraph, which expand upon the thesis statement. Each paragraph is clearly focused on a single issue with plenty of supporting detail or evidence from concrete and relevant examples, or from the reading that the writer uses to support the point of view.
3. Concluding paragraphs (conclusion): Summarizes the points made, repeats the overall point of view, and explains why the writer took the position held. It may also indicate wider issues not covered in the essay, but are of interest and relevant to the point of view.

Resources

Articles

• Messuri, K. (2016). Writing effective paragraphs. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles, 4, 15, pp. 86-88.
• Wirantaka, A. (2016). Paragraph writing of academic texts in an EFL context. Journal of Foreign Language, Teaching and Learning, 1, 2, pp. 34-35.

Blogs

• Medium.com (2014). How to write paragraphs in research texts (articles, books and PhDs). 
• London School of Economics (2017). How to write paragraphs in research texts: articles, books and research PhDs.  

Websites

• Indiana University Bloomington (2020). Paragraphs & topic sentences. 
• Time 4 Writing.com (n.d.). How to write paragraphs? 
• University of Leicester (n.d.). Strategic use of paragraphs. 
• University of Westminster (n.d.). Written Assignments: Essays.