STRUCTURE OF A BODY PARAGRAPH

 

Topic Sentence:  Start the paragraph with a general statement that clearly indicates the overall focus and idea of the paragraph and tells the reader how to interpret the entire paragraph.

 

Support:  Build points in logical progression (one thing leads to the next, and to the next, etc.).  Support each point with proof in the form of details, examples, quotes, facts, anecdotes, etc.

 

Concluding Sentence:  End the paragraph with a statement that sums up the paragraph with the analytical big picture.  The concluding would answer the question “What is the point of this paragraph?”  The concluding sentence should also offer a transition into the next paragraph by indicating the connection between the idea just presented and the idea to follow.

 

 

Elements to consider for the overall paragraph:

 

Unity:  There must be a consistent development of one main idea in each paragraph.  Each sentence must clearly connect to the topic sentence.  Sentences that stray from the topic confuse the reader and the point is lost.

 

Completeness:  Detailed information must be provided to clearly put forth ideas.  Each point must be supported with specifics to make a paragraph complete.  Certain assumptions must be made to communicate, but if they are not supported with proof, the communication suffers.

 

Order:  Order must be logical, both with the order of the sentences in the paragraph and the order of the paragraph in the paper.  Order can be chronological (first this, then this, then this, etc.) or emphatic (from least important to most important).

 

Coherence:  There must be a smooth flow between sentences so that the paragraph reads like an integrated discussion rather than a bulleted list.  Lack of coherence occurs when there is too much white space in the writing (omitted thoughts) or there is a lack of transitional words.  Transitional words (e.g. for example, then, furthermore, nevertheless, instead, accordingly) indicate relationships between thoughts.

 

Text Box:             The legend of the Old South has a certain timeless beauty.  On the veranda of stately mansions, courtly gentlemen and charming ladies talked quietly of family, land and cotton.  The poor whites were barely visible until the vigilante movement after the Civil War.  They formed secret societies such as the Klan to terrorize the black community and to acquire political power.  Political power led to economic power, and by the turn of the century the poor whites were no longer poor.

 

 

 

 		  
  Information provided for CLASS by Anne Garrett, ECLP Faculty Associate

Updated spring 2007