What are paragraphs?
A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116). Length does not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea.
How do I decide what to put in each paragraph?
This is where planning comes into play. As I have mentioned in other papers, planning your work before you put a single word down in earnest is very important. The plan will allow you to formulate your argument, group thoughts into coherent and logical ideas and from there develop your paragraphs.
The important things to remember are that a paragraph should be:
unified relate to one central idea or thought
coherent clear, logical order with transitions from one paragraph to the next.
developed in other words, details and examples should be given to support your argument.
How should the paragraph start?
A good paragraph starts with a topic sentence, a sentence that introduces the central idea of the paragraph. Think back to skimming and scanning reading techniques: you can tell which paragraph is worth reading in detail as the first sentence lets you know what is going to be discussed. The opening sentence should also refer back to the question, either directly or indirectly, which helps to focus the piece of writing.
Example of the start of a paragraph without a topic sentence:
Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. More piranhas are eaten by humans than humans are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
Example of the start of a paragraph with a topic sentence:
Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. More piranhas are eaten by humans than humans are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
As you can see, the second example makes clear the information that is going to be given in the paragraph, i.e. piranhas are not as dangerous as people think.
How do I develop the paragraph?
Once you have created your topic sentence you have the main idea for the paragraph. You then need to explain that idea.
In the piranha paragraph the second sentence gives clarity to the topic sentence: piranhas are not dangerous as they generally do not eat large animals.
The third sentence reinforces this argument - piranhas will generally swim away rather than attack humans.
The fourth and fifth sentences provide evidence to the argument: humans eat more piranhas than piranhas eat humans.
How do I conclude each paragraph?
The final part of paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph and reminding the reader of the relevance of the information in this paragraph to the main or controlling idea of the paper. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information that you just discussed in the paragraph. You might feel more comfortable, however, simply transitioning your reader to the next development in the next paragraph.
Reminding the reader of the relevance of the information is a simple way to conclude the idea of the paragraph. Sentence six in the piranha example reinforces the idea that piranhas are not as dangerous as people think. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
When using a transitioning sentence to complete the paragraph you will relate to the following paragraph´s controlling idea and use language that demonstrates the logical relationship. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases.
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand, on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously,subsequently, then
Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
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