CHAPTER IV

THE FUNCTION OF THE PARAGRAPH

306. Nature of the Paragraph. In our study of the sentence in the first part of this book, we saw that sentences seldom exist separately. They usually are associated with other sentences, with which they are closely related in thought. Each of these related sentences expresses some idea about a central theme, and all of them taken together constitute a thought group, which we call a paragraph. If our ideas upon a given theme are compressed into a single sentence, as sometimes happens, the single sentence constitutes a paragraph.

Regarding the paragraph from another point of view, we say that it is the development of a limited. theme into a complete thought structure. Complete does not mean that the subject under consideration is to be exhausted. It does mean that the general idea with which one begins is to be developed to a definite end. There must be a point toward which the writer is working, and that point must be reached in order to have a complete paragraph.

307. Paragraph Defined. A paragraph is a sentence or a group of sentences in which a certain subject or a definite phase of some subject is developed into a complete organic thought structure.

308. The Isolated Paragraph. Many of the compositions which we are called upon to write deal with subjects that admit of proper treatment in a single paragraph. Sometimes, also, in longer compositions, certain phases of the subject are treated with such completeness that, taken out and allowed to stand by themselves, they would constitute complete compositions; on subjects, however, much more restricted than that of the whole composition of which they form a part. Whenever a subject is thus adequately treated in a single paragraph, we may call the paragraph isolated, because it is in no way dependent upon other paragraphs for its full significance.

309. Paragraph Study I. In order to understand more clearly the true nature of the isolated paragraph, its characteristics and method of development, let us study the following examples:

A. The following is an expository paragraph from The Outlines of Literature, by Shaw and Backus:

Swift will ever be regarded as one of the masters of English style. His poetical works alone entitle him to a permanent place in literature. His verse has no pretension to loftiness; it studiously preserves the familiar expressions of common life. This, perhaps, is the secret of its power. Poems and prose alike show intense observation of human nature and profoundly misanthropic feeling. Vigor and perspicuity mark every page of his prose; every sentence is homely, rugged, and strong. "He seems to have hated foreign words as he hated men." His vocabulary is thoroughly Saxon, and the variety of English idioms used in expressing his thought is greater than in any other writer of his age.

Questions.

1. Do you find readily the subject of the paragraph? If so, what is it?

2. In what part of the paragraph is it to be found?

3. What relation in thought does the second sentence bear to the first?

4. With what sentence does the real treatment of the theme begin?

5. By what means does the writer seek to establish the truth of the first statement?

6. What characteristics of Swift's style are given that would seem to explain his rank as a master of English style?

7. What about the last sentence indicates that the author has completed what he has to say on the subject?

B. The following paragraph is from Ruskin's Modern Painters:

In the range of inorganic nature, I doubt if any object can be found more perfectly beautiful than a fresh, deep snowdrift, seen under warm light. Its curves are of inconceivable perfection and changefulness, its surface and transparency alike exquisite, its light and shade of inexhaustible variety and inimitable finish, the shadows sharp, pale, and of heavenly color, the reflected lights intense and multitudinous, and mingled with the sweet occurrences of transmitted light.

Questions.

1. What is the subject of this paragraph?

2. What is the writer's purpose with respect to the subject? 3. What purpose does the first sentence serve? The second? 4. Explain why this paragraph is complete in itself.

5. What is there about the style of the last sentence that makes us feel that the paragraph ends naturally? Is it because the sentence is long and cumulative, because the last clause is longer, because it is more strongly emphasized by choice of words, or because the thought is more important?

C. The following narrative paragraph is from a pupil's composition:

One of the most interesting examples of heroic action to be found in Ivanhoe is Wamba's rescue of his master from the castle of Torquilstone. When the Clerk of Copmanhurst refused to make the attempt to enter the castle on the pretext of confessing the prisoners, Wamba proposed to undertake the enterprise himself. Arrayed in the Friar's frock and assisted by a few Latin phrases learned in his youth, he succeeded in being admitted into the presence of Front-de-Boeuf. Though badly frightened, Wamba played his part sufficiently well to impose upon Frontde-Bœuf, and so gained access to the apartment of Cedric and Athelstane. Here he met with some difficulty. He tried to induce Cedric to don his disguise and escape. Cedric demurred in favor of Athelstane; but Wamba refused to risk his neck for any one except his own master. Cedric was forced to accept the sacrifice as offered, and departed, leaving his faithful jester at the mercy of the savage lord of Torquilstone.

Questions.

1. What is the topic of this paragraph?

2. In which sentence is this topic most fully stated?

3.

Do you

find anything in the paragraph that does not contribute to the development of that topic?

4. With which sentence does the actual narrative begin? 5. How many sentences in the paragraph do you find that are not narrative?

6. What determines the beginning and end of the composition? The amount of details?

7. Suggest a subject for the composition.

8. Distinguish between its subject and its theme.

310. Characteristics of the Isolated Paragraph. From our study of specimen paragraphs we may deduce, with respect to the characteristics of the isolated paragraph, the following:

I. It should suggest, directly or indirectly, at the outset the nature of the subject.

II. Its theme should be sufficiently restricted to permit of adequate treatment in a limited space.

III. The development of the theme should begin at once after the subject has been announced.

IV. Every sentence should contribute something toward the development.

V. The subject should be sufficiently treated to satisfy the expectation aroused in the reader.

VI. The final sentence should be of a character to suggest the end.

EXERCISE A

311. Make complete and direct answers to each of the following questions. Taking these answers as beginning sentences, develop paragraphs on the topics suggested by them.

1. What is your favorite novel?

2. What is the most attractive shop window you have seen recently?

3. What is the most thrilling incident in Ivanhoe or in the Tale of Two Cities?

4. What do you enjoy most about the country?

5. What was the nature of your first impression of a football game?

6. Who is the most interesting person you know?

EXERCISE B

312. Develop paragraphs possessing the chief characteristics mentioned above on the following subjects: