Understanding Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

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Understanding Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
Worth Weller
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The Paragraph

• Stephen King maintains that the paragraph is the
  basic unit of writing

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The Paragraph

• I would argue that the paragraph, not the
  sentence, is the basic unit of writing
• the place where coherence begins and words stand
  a chance of becoming more than mere words.

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What is a paragraph?

• A paragraph is a collection of related sentences
  dealing with a single topic.

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Effective paragraphs

• To be as effective as possible, a paragraph
  should contain each of the following
• Unity
• a Topic Sentence,
• and Adequate Development.

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Unity

• The entire paragraph should concern itself with a
  single focus.
• If it begins with one focus or major point of
  discussion, it should not end with another or
  wander within different ideas.

http//www.greenville.k12.sc.us/taylorse
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The Topic Sentence

• A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in
  a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph
  is going to deal with.
• It comes at the beginning of the paragraph.

coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/ibc.html
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The Topic Sentence

• Needs to be
• Clear
• Specific
• Well focused

http//www.hostos.cuny.edu/oaa/act/ACTtransformrea
sons.htm
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Formula

• A topic sentence a limited topic a specific
  feeling or thought or assertion about that topic

• Example
• The fear that Americans feel (limited topic)
  comes partly from the uncertainty related to this
  attack (a specific thought about the topic)

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Paragraph Development

• Use examples and illustrations
• Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details)
• Examine testimony (what other people say such as
  quotes and paraphrases)

• Use an anecdote or story
• Define terms in the paragraph

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Paragraph Development

• Compare and contrast
• or evaluate causes and reasons
• or examine effects and consequences
• or analyze the topic
• or describe the topic..
• or offer a chronology of an event.

www.emporia.edu/writinglab/paragraphs.html
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Maintaining Your Own Voice

• Make sure all the topic sentences are your own
  words and your own thoughts
• Do NOT quote your sources to make your points

• Use your sources ONLY to support your points (not
  to make them)
• Make sure all paragraphs begin with your own
  words, thoughts and feelings

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Summary

• Put only one main idea per paragraph.
• Aim for three to five sentences per paragraph.
• Make sure each paragraph starts with the point
  you want to make in that paragraph (the topic
  sentence)

• Develop each topic thoroughly, with transitional
  elements and a sentence that rounds off the
  paragraph.
• Include on each page about three paragraphs.
• Look at your paper to check for balanced
  paragraphs