How to Write A Paragraph Correctly

At this point in your paper you have already written your introduction paragraph. If you haven’t and are struggling on how to write an introduction, click here for some tips. It is always great to have some basic steps on how to write a paragraph. However, writing an introductory paragraph or a concluding paragraph is very different than writing a body paragraph. First let’s review those differences. Each paragraph in your essay serves a different purpose.

The first paragraph, which is known as an introductory paragraph, is written in order to introduce your readers to your topic. In this paragraph writers try to hook their readers so they will read more. Also background information is provided and a thesis statement is clearly stated. Click here to get a step-by-step guide on how to write an introduction.

Your concluding paragraph is similar to the introduction in the sense that your main topic or thesis statement is reiterated. Your conclusion is the last opportunity to emphasize what you are trying to say. However, many struggle with what components need to be in a conclusion. Click here to learn how to write a conclusion. Learning how to write a paragraph that goes in between the introduction and the conclusion, often referred to as body paragraphs, are much more different.

Let's explore how to write a paragraph for the body of your essay

Learning how to write a paragraph may seem difficult, but it isn’t if you think of each paragraph like an ingredient in a hamburger.

It is extremely important to understand the overall structure of a paragraph in order to understand how to write an essay in general.

The body paragraphs of your essay are what I like to call the meat of your paper.

Now that you have introduced your topic, you now have the chance to provide details to support what it is you are trying to say. No matter what type of paper you are writing, all paragraphs need to include examples, details and an analysis that restates or points back to your overall purpose.

The key in writing an effective body paragraph is to never lose sight of your purpose. Thus, make sure each example and detail your write is supporting your purpose or thesis.

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Here is a basic format for how to write a paragraph:

1. Topic sentence (includes purpose): -think of this as the top bread of your hamburger.

The topic sentence is the main idea of that paragraph. It clearly states the topic and the purpose of that paragraph. To help you come up with a great topic sentence, ask yourself “What opinion do I want to put forth about this topic?”

The topic sentence is more than just a fact. It is actually the conclusion you have reached, which you will explain as the paragraph unfolds.

Remember the goal of each paragraph is to convince your readers of the validity of your opinion by supporting it with examples and details that prove your point.

Make sure you truly brainstorm your topic sentences because it is extremely important. Having a topic sentence too broad will hurt your paper. It may be too broad to support with example and details. Nonetheless, having a topic sentence too narrow usually does not have an opinion that can be supported or developed as well. See the examples below. Here are some sample topic sentences about football.

Too Broad: Football is a popular sport to watch in America.

Too Narrow: One common play in football is the Quarterback Sneak.

Great Topic Sentence: Football is a sport that requires both physical and mental training.

You want your topic sentence to be something you can support with details and examples later.


2. Support (examples and details): -think of this as the meat of your hamburger.

Providing support for your topic should be fairly easy since you already know about your topic. You can provide a personal experience that would work well as an example.

If you are not as familiar with your topic, research may be involved. Providing statistics or quotes can be very effective in supporting your main idea and may make you seem very credible as a writer. However, be careful when quoting the words of others. Click here to see how to use quotes.

3. Analysis/interpretation:-think of this as the bottom bread of your hamburger.

After you have provided support and examples, you must explain why you used them. What purpose does each example serve? Do not leave it up to your readers to interpret the meaning of the information you provide. This should bring your paragraph “full-circle” as you analyze the significance of the point you stated in your topic sentence.

Below are some other important things to note:

• Concluding sentence:
Every well-written paragraph ends with a concluding sentence. The concluding sentence re-emphasizes the topic sentence’s purpose. Do not just restate your topic sentence.

Try to think of your concluding sentence as a thought you want to leave with your readers-almost like further thought on the topic. Never introduce a new idea in your concluding sentence.

Make sure everything you have mentioned relates back to your topic sentence, which reflects back to your thesis statement. If you need help on how to write a thesis statement, click here.



• Transition sentence:
Sometimes your transition sentence will be your concluding sentence. It is very easy to write them as one. Click here to get some great tips on transition sentences.

That is the basic format that can and should always be used for all academic papers. If you are writing a creative essay, you have much more freedom in the format that you use. However, this format may also be used for creative writing essays as well.

If you need a further explanation on how to write a paragraph or would like to submit a paragraph for me to review, please feel free to contact me.

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