Pengertian Paragraf Menurut Para Ahli - Materi Bahasa Inggris
Berdasar kamus Webster, paragraf adalah: a: subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line. b : a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
Berdasarkan pengertiannya, paragraph dapat diartikan sebagai bagian dari karangan terdiri atas satu kalimat/kumpulan kalimat yang mengandung satu ide pokok dan penulisannya dimulai dengan alinea baru.
Pengertian Paragraf Menurut Para Ahli
Soedjito dan Hasan (1986:3) menjelaskan bahwa paragraf adalah bagian-bagian karangan yang terdiri atas kalimat-kalimat yang berhubung-hubungan secara utuh dan padu serta merupakan satu kesatuan pikiran. Sesuai dengan pernyataan tersebut.
Tarigan (1986:11) menyatakan bahwa paragraf adalah seperangkat kalimat tersusun secara logis-sistematis yang merupakan satu kesatuan ekspresi pikiran yang relevan dan mendukung pikiran pokok dalam keseluruhan karangan.
McCrimmon (1963:69) menyatakan bahwa paragraf dikatakan lengkap apabila paragraf itu berhasil menerangkan apa yang seharusnya diterangkan.
Paragraf tersebut harus memiliki (1) ide pokok yang diungkapkan dalam kalimat topik dan (2) kalimat penunjang yang memadai yang berfungsi memberikan penjelasan ide pokok tersebut.
Sedangkan dalam Examining Professional Writing by Pearson dinyatakan: “There are usually three basic elements: (1) a topic, (2) a topic sentence, and (3) supporting details. The topic sentence states the main, or controlling, idea. The sentences that explain this main point are called supporting details. These details may be facts, reasons, or examples that provide further information about the topic sentence.
Dapat disimpulkan bahwa dalam sebuah paragraf terdapat main idea, topic sentence dan supporting details. Main idea adalah gambaran umum tentang isi bacaan, sedangkan topic sentence adalah kalimat yang menggambarkan main idea /pokok pikiran dari sebuah paragraph.
Topic sentence biasanya ada pada awal tapi terkadang bisa juga di akhir atau di tengah sebuah paragraf. Supporting details yaitu kalimat yang menjelaskan main idea.
Penjelasan tentang supporting details sebagai berikut: A paragraph contains facts, statements, examples- specifics which guide us to a full understanding of the main idea. They clarify,illuminate, explain, describe, expand and illustrate the main idea and these information are supporting details.
Main idea adalah pusat atau gagasan utama yang berisi ide yang paling penting dalam sebuah paragraph. Main idea bisa tersurat bisa juga tersirat, bila ia tersurat maka biasanya ada di awal paragraph namun bila tersirat maka bisa ditemukan dibagian mana saja dalam sebuah paragraf.
Berikut adalah contoh Topic sentence, Main idea dan Supporting details
1. Passing fears are common in early childhood.
Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs. By 6 years, children are more likely to be afraid of the dark.
Other common fears are of thunderstorms, doctors, and imaginary creatures.
- The main idea is about passing fear
- The topic sentence is Passing fears are common in early childhood.
- An examples of supporting detail is Many 2- to 4-year-olds are afraid of animals, especially dogs
2. There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies.
Compared with boys, girls are usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body images. Also, as puberty proceeds, girls often become even more dissatisfied with their bodies.
This is probably because their body fat increases. In contrast, boys become more satisfied as they move through puberty, probably because their muscle mass increases.
- The main idea is : adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies
- The topic is sentence: There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies
- An example of supporting detail is Compared with boys, girls are usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body images
Sumber: Modul PKB Mapel B. Inggris SMP KK A