How to Write a Paragraph Using TRIAC

TRIAC (which stands for Topic, Research, Interpretation, Analysis and Conclusion) is a model for writing paragraphs that is often used for high school and lower-division college students. It is intended to teach students how to organize their thoughts into effective paragraphs. It is particularly useful for assignments in freshman composition classes, such as English 101 and 102. Please note that the statistics within the portions of the sample paragraph are fictional.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Write a topic sentence that tells your readers what the rest of the paragraph will be about. In an argumentative essay, the topic of each body paragraph will state a reason that you think your argument is true. So your topic sentence could look like this: "Textbook prices take up an ever-increasing portion of students' budgets."

2. Integrate your research. Support your opening argument with facts and statistics. Cite your research to support your claim and cite your sources and use footnotes when necessary. For example: "Textbook prices have risen by 50% in the last 20 years (Smith 23). Meanwhile, average wages for college students have only risen 10% over the same period (Anderson 356)."

3. Interpret your research to demonstrate its importance. This is the only TRIAC step that is not always necessary, as some research will be self-explanatory. However, in the sample paragraph, you can make the statistics more concrete for your readers: "This means that a textbook which cost $100 in 1988 costs $150 today, while a job that payed $10/hr 20 years ago, only pays $11/hr today."

4. Analyze the research. Explain its importance and how it supports your argument. This is the most important step, as it ties together your research and your topic: "This research shows that paying for textbooks consumes a growing portion of students' budgets, leaving less money for other essentials with the result that some students cannot afford to pay for college."

5. Write a concluding sentence. Wrap up your paragraph and drive home your point to your reader: "This shows why rising textbook prices are a pressing problem that college administrators must address."

6. Put it all together: "Textbook prices consume an ever-increasing portion of students' budgets. These prices have risen by 50% in the last 20 years (Smith 23). Meanwhile, average wages for college students have only risen 10% over the same period (Anderson 356). This means that a textbook which cost $100 in 1988 costs $150 today, while a job that payed $10/hr 20 years ago only pays $11/hr today. This research shows that paying for textbooks consumes a larger portion of students' budgets, leaving less money for other essentials and making it difficult for some students to afford a college education. This shows why rising textbook prices are a pressing problem for college students that administrators must address."

Tips & Warnings

• TRIAC is designed as a model to help writers organize their ideas, but that doesn't mean it is appropriate for all assignments. As your writing becomes more sophisticated, you probably will rely on it less.
• Don't count sentences. Students often hear conflicting advice on how long paragraphs should be. The truth is that a paragraph should have as many sentences as is necessary to get your point across without repeating your ideas. If you follow the TRIAC model, you will know when to end a paragraph and when to start a new one.

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