Writing Paragraphs and Topic Sentence

A paragraph is composed of a group of sentences expressing one central idea. A paragraph is complete in itself and also a subdivision or part of something larger such as a composition.

The Topic Sentence: The topic sentence is one sentence that introduces the topic of your paragraph.

• Topic sentences often act like tiny thesis statements.
• A topic sentence makes a claim of some sort.
• The topic sentence must be the unifying force in the paragraph.
• When the topic sentence makes a claim, the paragraph that follows must expand, describe, or prove it in some way.
• Topic sentences make a point and give reasons or examples to support it.

A paragraph is unified when every sentence develops the point made in the topic sentence. It must have a single focus and it must contain no irrelevant facts. Every sentence must contribute to the paragraph by explaining, exemplifying, or expanding the topic sentence.
In order to determine whether a paragraph is well developed or not, ask yourself: "What main point am I trying to convey here?" (topic sentence) and then "Does every sentence clearly relate to this idea?"
Starting a new paragraph is a signal to your reader that you are beginning a new thought or taking up a new point.

Development of the paragraph: The sentences that follow the topic sentence of your paragraph will develop the central idea of your topic. It is important to remember that each sentence must deal only with your topic and not stray off into other topics.
The Concluding Sentence: The last sentence of your paragraph is important and it often restates the idea expressed in the topic sentence.

Paragraph Structure: Most paragraphs in an essay have a three-part structure--introduction, body, and conclusion, whether they are narrating, describing, comparing, contrasting, or analyzing information. Each part of the paragraph plays an important role in communicating meaning to the reader.

o Introduction: the first section of a paragraph; includes the topic sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background information or provide a transition.
o Body: follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, and other information.
o Conclusion: the final section; summarizes the connections between the information discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph's controlling idea.

Coherence: Each sentence should relate clearly to the topic sentence or controlling idea. Also, each sentence should flow smoothly into the next without obvious shifts or jumps. A coherent paragraph also highlights the ties between old information and new information to make the structure of ideas or arguments clear to the reader.

(Along with the smooth flow of sentences, a paragraph's coherence may also be related to its length. If you have written a very long paragraph, one that fills a double-spaced typed page, for example, you should check it carefully to see if it should start a new paragraph where the original paragraph wanders from its controlling idea. On the other hand, if a paragraph is very short, you may need to develop its controlling idea more thoroughly, or combine it with another paragraph.)

Other techniques to establish coherence in paragraphs :

• Repeat key words or phrases. Particularly in paragraphs in which you define or identify an important idea or theory, be consistent in how you refer to it. This consistency and repetition will bind the paragraph together and help your reader understand your definition or description.
• Create parallel structures. Parallel structures are created by constructing two or more phrases or sentences that have the same grammatical structure and use the same parts of speech. By creating parallel structures you make your sentences clearer and easier to read. In addition, repeating a pattern in a series of consecutive sentences helps your reader see the connections between ideas.
• Use transition words or phrases between sentences and between paragraphs. Transitional expressions emphasize the relationships between ideas, so they help readers follow your train of thought or see connections that they might otherwise miss or misunderstand.

SOME USEFUL TRANSITIONS
(modified from Diana Hacker, A Writer's Reference)
To show addition:
again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too
To give examples:
for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate
To compare:
also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly
To contrast:
although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet
To summarize or conclude:
all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up
To show time:
after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while
To show place or direction:
above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)
To indicate logical relationship:
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus

These are GUIDELINES, not rules. As you become more experienced writers, you’ll learn when it’s important to follow the guidelines when you should stray from them.