Paragraph Function Theory


Understanding Paragraph

        The understanding of paragraphs from several experts, among others, paragraphs is part of an essay consisting of a number of sentences that expresses a unit of information with the main idea as the controller (Ramlan in Rohmadi and Nasucha, 2010: 23). Thus, according to Ramlan, a paragraph always has the main idea, the essence of the information disclosed in the paragraph.

            In connection with that, Handayani et al, (2013: 97-98) also talk about the importance of an idea in a paragraph. She states that a paragraph (allenia) is a series of sentences that are mutually related to creating an idea.

       According to Akhadiah in Nasucha, et.al, 2009: 33, paragraphs are pouring the essence of thoughts into thought. In a paragraph, there is one unit of thought that is supported by all the sentences in the paragraph, starting from introductory sentences, main or topic sentences, and supporting sentences to the closing sentence. This set of sentences is related in a series to form an idea.

        Paragraphs can also be said to be the shortest essay (Nasucha et al, 2009: 33). Paragraphs can be distinguished as an idea that begins and ends. It will be difficult to read an article or a book if there is no paragraph because the words are arranged continuously until they are finished. In addition, the reader is difficult to concentrate their mind from one idea to another. With the existence of a paragraph, the reader can pause and can concentrate on the ideas contained in the paragraph.

            A paragraph is a group of related sentences that together explain one main unit of thought (Wiyanto, 2004:20). The author composes paragraph by paragraph to convey the whole main idea easily so that the writer can arrange paragraphs systematically and logically. A number of supporting elements are needed, namely transitions, topic sentences, explanatory sentences, and affirmative sentences. Although, not all paragraphs contain four elements, three elements, or only two elements, even contains only one element.

            From some of those expert opinions, it looks basically like they have the same view on paragraphs. Paragraphs always have the main idea used to build a unified sentence in a paragraph. 

        In the linguistic hierarchy, a paragraph is a unit that higher or wider than the sentence. Useful paragraphs mark the opening of a new topic, separating the main ideas from the other. Thus, the readers will be easy to understand the content of the paragraph. In writing, a paragraph starts with a space of about five taps or starts on the left margin without a space of five taps, but spaced more between paragraphs. Paragraph length is not limited, depending on the method of development and completeness of related descriptions with the main idea. Paragraphs that are too short (e.g. 2-3sentences) are usually underdeveloped. On the contrary, the too-long paragraph can be tedious, because of more sentences that are separated from the main idea (Handayani et al, 2013: 97-98)

Indonesian version: BAB_II.pdf (ums.ac.id) 

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