You’ve done all of the leg work—identified your topic, crafted the most perfect thesis statement, researched like hell, and prepared your outline. Now you sit staring at a screen that is blank to put all of it together.
Maybe you’ve already written an introduction, maybe not. Either way, diving to your body paragraphs, crafting the perfect paragraph structures, is next on the agenda.
You may be wishing for just a little pink-winged paragraph fairy to wave his magic wand and transform your outline into beautifully constructed paragraphs…
I had to handle that hard reality, too, when writing this web site post. However it’s OK. Writing paragraphs that are strong good structures is a process it is possible to tackle. I promise.
Image credit: KeepCalmAndPosters.com
The key is in using “evidence” to support your primary ideas and package all of it in a structure that is fail-safe. In this web site post, I’ll break down the anatomy associated with perfect paragraph structure. I’ll leave you with a blueprint to tackle all your valuable paragraphs—no that is academic magic cute little fairies needed.
First, though, let’s have a look at why paragraph structure is really important. Ready?
Why Paragraph Structure Matters—A Lot
The right paragraph structure for body paragraphs is essential for several reasons.
Thanks, Instructor Obvious, we probably figured that out of your essay prompt. The obvious aside, good paragraph structure lets you group and organize most of your ideas into body paragraphs. These paragraphs, then, “prove” your thesis statement.
They offer your essay credibility—regardless regarding the variety of essay you’re writing. They allow readers (and also the most important reader—your instructor) to grasp your primary ideas. Finally, the body paragraphs flush out of the logic and support for your thesis statement.
And, yes, as Instructor Obvious so deftly pointed out, they do account for a major chunk of one’s essay grade.
To start crafting effective paragraphs, you first need to understand all of the pieces that fit together to make a cohesive paragraph structure. Let’s jump in, shall we?
The Components associated with Perfect Paragraph Structure
Every academic paragraph structure has three main components:
- Topic sentence
- Support sentences
- Concluding sentence
A paragraph, relating to Merriam-Webster.com, is “a element of an item of writing that usually relates to one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is consists of a number of sentences.”
While that does not help us much in terms of structure, it does highlight one key point: A paragraph relates to one main idea.
Each paragraph in just about any academic essay need to have one—and only one—main point. This highlights the first part of the right paragraph structure, the sentence that is topic.
The second component comprises the support sentences. These sentences establish the proof of, and develop, your main idea.
The component that is third the concluding sentence, then brings the first two components together. It synthesizes the main idea with the proof to show why it matters.
I’ve put the 3 main components in a table that is handy you with increased detail as to what each entails:
Let’s break those down a lot more and practice with an illustration paragraph.
The sentence that is topic both the subject and the controlling notion of your paragraph. In addition pay someone to write my paper it accomplishes three things that are crucial
- It connects to and supports your thesis statement.
- It establishes what the paragraph is mostly about.
- It unifies the information of this paragraph.
Think of the sentence that is topic a mini-thesis. Everything into the rest of the paragraph must relate returning to it. A good topic sentence is clear and relevant to your thesis statement.
There’s one caveat here. Make sure the topic sentence is specific enough to hook up to your thesis statement and provide a writable blueprint for the paragraph. But also make sure it’s broad enough that the main points within it don’t make it tough to write an entire paragraph.
Let’s build a typical example of the very first element of the perfect paragraph structure.
Assume my thesis statement says this:
The “over” position for toilet tissue is superior because it is safer due to a shorter reach to unravel and grab tissue, it limits the spread of germs, and it’s also more visually appealing.
(I don’t realize about you, but in my house, the positioning of wc paper is a serious point of contention. It’s sparked many debates and heated “discussions.”)
My sentence that is topic might something like this:
The “over” position for toilet paper is safer as a result of the shorter reach to unravel and grab the tissue.
Comparing from the three things a topic sentence should do, my example does the immediate following:
Connects to and supports the thesis statement.
Establishes what the paragraph is about.
Unifies the content associated with the paragraph (which you’ll see into the section that is next).
This topic sentence sets up the lead-in towards the details that form the support sentences, the second component of the paragraph structure that is perfect.
Support sentences are crucial to supporting both your topic sentence and your thesis statement. These sentences will accomplish three things:
- They add greater detail to and/or explain your topic sentence.
- They use concrete details as “evidence” to prove, clarify, or illustrate most of your point.
- They provide your paragraph meaning.
How you develop the support sentences is determined by the sort of essay you’re writing, though. While there are many approaches to paragraph development , answering a questions that are few allow you to determine what approach is best for the essay topic and structure.
- Will examples, details, or reasons support your point?
- Should you analyze information or argue a point?
- Will quoting research help establish your point?
- Do you have relevant statistics or any other research data available?
- Can or in the event you tie in personal experience?
By answering these questions, you could begin to shape how you will develop the paragraph to generate the paragraph structure that is perfect. Use at least two details that are concrete make your paragraph effective. You may use more—let your topic as well as the quantity of support it requires dictate that for you personally.
If you wish to analyze information from research, for instance, your paragraph is going to be longer. While there’s no set number of sentences you need to include, strive for 5-8 sentences. This ensures you don’t make paragraphs too long yet still have sufficient details and content to determine the primary support when it comes to topic sentence.
In addition would you like to present support sentences logically and systematically. As an example, you don’t would you like to present research initially and then further explain your topic sentence. The paragraph development method you choose will make suggestions in this process.
Now, let’s break the support sentences into two steps.
First, I would like to further explain my topic sentence and add a little more detail. I might create a sentence that looks something similar to this:
Although the distance is a matter of mere inches, research suggests it generates a safer environment.
Then, while the second step, i do want to supply the evidence that supports my topic sentence and, by extension, my thesis, too. I’ll use research data and statistics to argue my point—that the “over” position for toilet tissue is superior since it’s safer.
I might construct two additional support sentences that appear to be this:
A 2014 Bathroom Safety (BS) survey unearthed that households making use of the “over” position had 75% fewer falls off the toilet. Further , according to the Consortium of Research About Paper Products (CRAPP), bathroom goers who utilize the “under” position are 30% more prone to suffer debilitating rotator cuff damage.
Notice how I’ve put “further” in bold? This highlights the necessity of transitioning in the middle of your support sentences. Just throwing in a string of rapid-fire sentences hurts the flow of data. So make sure you use transitions well to generate continuity and unity, which together will build good flow.