Every paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph will prove, describe, or explain. By providing the reader with expectations at the start of the paragraph, you help them understand where you are going and how the paragraph fits in with the overall structure of your essay. Topic sentences should always connect back to your thesis statement – if you cannot find a way to describe a paragraph in relation to your thesis, you probably do not need it. If the thesis contains multiple points or assertions, each body paragraph should support or justify them, preferably in the order the assertions were originally stated in the thesis. Thus, the topic sentence for the first body paragraph will refer to the first point in the thesis sentence and the topic sentence for the second body paragraph will refer to the second point in the thesis sentence.
Each body paragraph is something like a miniature essay in that they each need a topic sentence that introduces an important and interesting argument, support for that argument, and a good closing sentence in order to produce a smooth transition between one point and the next. The body of the paragraph will present the evidence, reasoning and conclusions that prove that claim. Usually, paragraphs will end by connecting to the overall purpose of the essay or by setting up the claim that the next paragraph will contain.
Attributions:
"Basic Paragraph Structure | English Writing Skills | 2020" Youtube, uploaded by worldwidespeak 21 Sept. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44PPlTepKPg&t=3s.
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Attributions:
"Paragraph" Youtube, uploaded by grammarmonster 1 Dec. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFk1X5-ryq8.
Permissions: YouTube Terms of Service
In this sample passage, the following parts of the paragraph have been identified:
Attribution:
Animal Control I Shawn Burrus
After reviewing the lessons in this unit, try to identify the main points, transition words/phrases, and conclusion sentences in the text selection.
Juggling the demands of school, work and family can be really challenging for anybody, but if you want to be a successful student, consider creating a calendar with a to-do list. My[JV2] first semester at college was a near disaster. I was adjusting to a new environment, trying to figure out how to carve out enough time in my day to get everything done, and my grades suffered as a result. Thankfully, a friend of mine suggested that I try a calendar, where I identify everything I need to do in my 2 college courses and then prioritize those items and divide my class assignments up throughout the week to ensure I was stay focused and manage everything. The contrast is night and day. For example[JV3] , I now take out my big planner calendar on my desk, look at everything that is due this week in both my classes, chart them out day by day and step by step, and I allot 2 hours each day to complete what I have to get done that day. I know that on Wednesdays I have to complete the reading for both classes and that then on Thursday I need to write and submit my first discussion board post in both classes. This keeps me on track and also gives me a sense of accomplishment. I find my grades are consistently higher now, I have less stress and I find the work far more manageable. It’s changed everything and every student should try[JV4] it.
*Use this model for writing strong paragraphs, whether in your discussion board or class assignments to help you stay focused and write more organized and better developed paragraphs!*
Attribution:
Writing Effective Paragraphs | Vice, Josef.
