BASIC PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
(also commonly used for body paragraphs in an academic essay)
THE TOPIC SENTENCE (MAIN IDEA SENTENCE) is
* often the first sentence of the paragraph
* the overall point of the paragraph
* Every element of the paragraph directly shows/supports/explains
the topic sentence
THE EVIDENCE
* the supporting details,
including major details
(primary details) & minor details
(secondary details)
* directly explain/
support/show/prove
the topic sentence
* may involve a variety of
paragraph development strategies,
such as illustration, description,
and process analysis
THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE
* may restate the topic sentence in different words
(may summarize the overall point of the paragraph)
* may provide a transition to the next body paragraph in an essay or other composition
* may bring a sense of closure to the paragraph
In an academic essay, each body paragraph, usually featuring the structure above,
supports the essay's thesis statement (essay's overall point).
HELPFUL LINKS: THE PARAGRAPH
THE PARAGRAPH
FROM PURDUE'S ON-LINE WRITING LAB
ON-LINE HANDOUT: PARAGRAPHING
FROM PURDUE'S ON-LINE WRITING LAB
ON-LINE HANDOUT: PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
FROM THE WRITING CENTER
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPELL HILL
ON-LINE HANDOUTS: PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
IS OF IMPORTANCE IN WRITING ACROSS COLLEGE-LEVEL CURRICULUM. VIEW RELATED
EXAMPLES FROM SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL WRITING, JOURNALISM, HISTORY, AND
OTHER ACADEMIC WRITING.
(also commonly used for body paragraphs in an academic essay)
THE TOPIC SENTENCE (MAIN IDEA SENTENCE) is
* often the first sentence of the paragraph
* the overall point of the paragraph
* Every element of the paragraph directly shows/supports/explains
the topic sentence
THE EVIDENCE
* the supporting details,
including major details
(primary details) & minor details
(secondary details)
* directly explain/
support/show/prove
the topic sentence
* may involve a variety of
paragraph development strategies,
such as illustration, description,
and process analysis
THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE
* may restate the topic sentence in different words
(may summarize the overall point of the paragraph)
* may provide a transition to the next body paragraph in an essay or other composition
* may bring a sense of closure to the paragraph
In an academic essay, each body paragraph, usually featuring the structure above,
supports the essay's thesis statement (essay's overall point).
HELPFUL LINKS: THE PARAGRAPH
THE PARAGRAPH
FROM PURDUE'S ON-LINE WRITING LAB
ON-LINE HANDOUT: PARAGRAPHING
FROM PURDUE'S ON-LINE WRITING LAB
ON-LINE HANDOUT: PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
FROM THE WRITING CENTER
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPELL HILL
ON-LINE HANDOUTS: PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
IS OF IMPORTANCE IN WRITING ACROSS COLLEGE-LEVEL CURRICULUM. VIEW RELATED
EXAMPLES FROM SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL WRITING, JOURNALISM, HISTORY, AND
OTHER ACADEMIC WRITING.
EFFECTIVE BODY PARAGRAPHS USUALLY FEATURE THE
FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
a.) The Topic Sentence =
the overall point of the paragraph
b.) The Evidence = Supporting Major and Minor Details
- the information which demonstrates and/or explains the topic sentence
- R.O.A.D. (relevant, organized, adequate, detailed)
c.) The Concluding Sentence = brings the paragraph to a close and/or
provides an effective transition to the next paragraph
FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
a.) The Topic Sentence =
the overall point of the paragraph
b.) The Evidence = Supporting Major and Minor Details
- the information which demonstrates and/or explains the topic sentence
- R.O.A.D. (relevant, organized, adequate, detailed)
c.) The Concluding Sentence = brings the paragraph to a close and/or
provides an effective transition to the next paragraph
PARAGRAPH |