How to Write a Good Paragraph

Writing a good paragraph is the same as writing a good essay. The paragraph contains all of the elements that an essay does. It has an introduction, supporting evidence and a conclusion. It has transition of thought, is organized, and is focused. Once you have mastered the paragraph, writing an essay will be fairly easy. Begin with a good topic sentence, develop the topic with supporting sentences and finish with a good concluding statement.

Instructions

1. Decide what type of paragraph you will write. There are four main paragraph types: descriptive, narrative, expository (explain) and persuasive (argumentative). There are also cause and effect, definition, compare and contrast, as well as classification and sequence. Some books use different names for similar types of paragraphs.

2. Decide on a topic sentence. Your topic sentence is a general statement that will be developed with the supporting sentences. It is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It works best as the first sentence because the eye of the reader is drawn to the beginning. If you place the topic sentence in the middle, it's overlooked. It can work at the end if your paragraph builds to that point. For a beginning writer, it is best to put the topic sentence as the first sentence and make it a general statement. Here is an example: The store is a good place to work.

3. Write three to five sentences that support the general topic sentence. These are detailed sentences and the body of the paragraph. For the general topic sentence in Step 2, some possible supporting sentences are as follows: The store teaches responsibility. It offers rewards for hard work. It offers opportunities to grow with the company. Its training program is complete and easy to follow.

4. Write a concluding statement. The purpose of the concluding statement is to sum up what was said. For the paragraph on the store, the concluding statement will remind the reader of the topic. A concluding statement may be as follows:Because the store cares about its employees' growth, it is a good place to work.

5. Add details and transition. If you were to put the sentences in Steps 2, 3, and 4 together to form a paragraph, it would be dull. Add some details. For example, what are the rewards for hard work? What opportunities does the store offer? Add transition between the supporting statements such as the words furthermore, therefore, second, and finally. Transition can also be the way the sentences flow from one to another. The concluding statement, "Because the store cares about its employees' growth, it is a good place to work," is a conclusion that falls naturally into place. The word "because" helps connect the ideas.

6. Use formal language unless you have been told otherwise. Do not use contractions such as don't. Avoid the first and second pronouns, I and you.

7. As you become proficient with writing solid paragraphs, you will begin to understand the structure of an essay. A basic organized essay will have an introductory paragraph, at least three supporting paragraphs, and a short paragraph to conclude. The concept is the same.

Tips & Warnings

• A good developed paragraph is five to seven sentences in length and uses formal language.