An analysis of paragraph structure in s.h.s. one students’ writings the case of Agona East district

Abstract

This study examined the paragraph structures of S.H.S.one students in the Agona East District of the Central Region. The study focused on paragraph structure, topic sentence, supporting sentences and the concluding sentence. Patterns of paragraphing difficulties were also investigated in the research. Qualitative research approach was used. Major findings included students’ inability to demonstrate in writing explicit knowledge on paragraph structure; writing without topic sentences, multiple topic sentences that appeared within the paragraph, violations in the principles of unity including ideas foreign to the topic under discussion. Some of the paragraphs were not adequately developed. Students wrongly positioned supporting sentences and these affected the logical flow of the sentences in the paragraph. Again, with the patterns of paragraphing, students had difficulties with compare and contrast pattern, definition pattern and process pattern just to mention a few. Suggested teaching strategies in teaching paragraphing have been included in this research work.