Paragraph Writing
1) What is a Paragraph?
The building blocks of writing.
A paragraph is a group of sentences that share one main idea. Instead of writing one massive wall of text, we break our writing into paragraphs to make it easy to read and understand.
- Indentation: The first line is usually pushed in (indented) by about 5 spaces.
- Block style: Alternatively, skip a full blank line between paragraphs.
- The Wall: A whole page of text without any paragraph breaks.
- The Orphan: A paragraph that is only one sentence long (usually, paragraphs need 3-5 sentences).
2) The “Hamburger” Structure
A deliciously simple way to organize your thoughts.
A great paragraph is built just like a hamburger. It needs a top bun to hold it together, the meat in the middle to give it flavor, and a bottom bun to finish it off.
Introduces the main idea. Holds everything together.
3 to 4 sentences giving facts, examples, and explanations.
Wraps up the paragraph and summarizes the main point.
3) The Topic Sentence
The boss of the paragraph.
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. It tells the reader exactly what the paragraph is going to be about. It should be clear and interesting.
Too broad, too narrow, or boring.
- I am going to tell you about dogs. (Boring)
- My dog has four legs. (Too narrow, nowhere to go)
- Animals are in the world. (Too broad)
Clear, specific, and sets a direction.
- Dogs make the perfect family pets for several reasons.
- Training a new puppy requires patience and consistency.
- There are three distinct differences between wolves and domestic dogs.
4) Supporting Details
Proving your point.
Once you have your topic sentence, you must prove it or explain it. You do this using supporting sentences. A good paragraph usually has 3 to 5 supporting sentences.
- Facts: “A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours.”
- Examples: “For instance, golden retrievers are known for being gentle with toddlers.”
- Explanations: “Because they are pack animals, they naturally want to protect their human families.”
5) Transition Words
The glue that connects your sentences.
Transition words act like bridges. They help the reader move smoothly from one sentence to the next so the paragraph doesn’t sound robotic or choppy.
| Purpose | Transition Words & Phrases |
|---|---|
| Adding Information | First, Second, Also, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover |
| Giving Examples | For example, For instance, Specifically, Such as |
| Showing Contrast | However, On the other hand, But, Although, Unlike |
| Concluding / Wrapping Up | Finally, In conclusion, As a result, To sum up, Therefore |
6) The Perfect Paragraph Example
Putting it all together.
Let’s look at a complete paragraph. Notice how it starts with a clear idea, uses transition words to give examples, and wraps up neatly at the end.