The Fail-Safe Way to
Write A Paragraph
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences written about one main idea or topic. The main idea is often expressed in the topic sentence. You start a new paragraph when you introduce a new idea, a new point of view, or a new speaker.
The Elements of a Paragraph
Every paragraph is unique. There are many ways to organize a paragraph, depending on your purpose and your topic or main idea. But every paragraph you write should have the following three elements.
1. The Topic Sentence clearly identifies the main idea in a paragraph. It tells the reader what the paragraph is about. A topic sentence frequently appears near the beginning of a paragraph, although it need not be the first sentence. Sometimes the main idea of the paragraph is implied rather than stated outright in the topic sentence. But unless you are writing a story, it is a good idea to include a topic sentence in every paragraph you write.
2. Supporting Sentences, sometimes called the body, give more details about the main idea of the paragraph. The details should be presented in an order that is easy to follow. The details may be facts, examples, reasons, or added description.
3. The Closing Sentence makes it clear that the paragraph is finished. A closing sentence sometimes restates the main idea of the paragraph. A closing sentence may also challenge the reader with a question, deliver a strong final detail or example, or provide a link to the main idea of the next paragraph.
Make sure that every paragraph you write, unless you are writing a story, includes each of the above elements.
