Why are paragraphs important

But beware of very long sentences — check that you are expressing one main idea. If not, break it up. Each paragraph should deal with one topic. This gives you the chance to fully develop that topic and support your argument.

Start by explaining what the paragraph will be about the topic sentence. This prepares the reader for what is coming. This first sentence should be very clear. Keep in mind that the reader should get the gist of your paper just by reading your topic sentences. Then develop the topic. Make sure that your ideas flow logically. There are different ways to do this; for example, start with what is known and gradually move on to new ideas.

Or if you are writing a narrative, present your information chronologically. Once the topic is fully developed, make your conclusion. You can propel your text forwards with an enticing transition to the next topic — once you are sure your paragraph has said all it needs to say. A paragraph should go on for as long as it takes to introduce, develop and conclude a topic. So do not worry about how many sentences are in your paragraph. Check that you are still discussing the same topic. Likewise, if your paragraph is very short, check that you have fully developed and concluded your argument.

Guide your reader through your argumentation with transition words. These words however, in addition, in contrast, similarly, etc. Too many transitions will distract your reader and confound your argumentation. Also, use transition words appropriately. For example, two related sentences do not require a transition:. Transitions between paragraphs are also important so that your ideas flow logically from one to the next and your argumentation is clear. Deciding whether your own writing flows well is difficult.

It can be harder still to make extreme structural changes to a manuscript that has taken many hours to write. Development and Organization. Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must consider what is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader.

This is the "controlling idea," or the thesis statement from which you compose the remainder of the paragraph. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your controlling idea and the information in each paragraph. The research problem functions like a seed from which your paper, and your ideas, will grow. The whole process of paragraph development is an organic one—a natural progression from a seed idea to a full-blown research study where there are direct, familial relationships in the paper between all of your controlling ideas and the paragraphs which derive from them.

The decision about what to put into your paragraphs begins with brainstorming about how you want to pursue the research problem. There are many techniques for brainstorming but, whichever one you choose, this stage of paragraph development cannot be skipped because it lays a foundation for developing a set of paragraphs [representing a section of your paper] that describes a specific element of your overall analysis.

Each section is described further in this writing guide. Given these factors, every paragraph in a paper should be :. There are many different ways you can organize a paragraph. However, the organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the paragraph. Ways to organize a paragraph in academic writing include:.

Hunter College; The Paragraph. The Writing Center. Pasadena City College; Paragraph Structure. Effective Writing Center. University of Maryland; Paragraphs. Institute for Writing Rhetoric.

Dartmouth College; Paragraphs. University of North Carolina; Paragraphs. University Writing Center. Indiana University; Weissberg, Robert C. Do not think of developing paragraphs in terms of their length. Length and appearance do not determine whether a part in your paper is a paragraph. It is the unity and coherence of ideas represented in a sentence or among sentences that constitutes to a good paragraph.

Bahl, Vik. Paragraph Development. English Research Writing syllabus. Green River Community College. Search this Guide Search. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper Offers detailed guidance on how to develop, organize, and write a college-level research paper in the social and behavioral sciences.

Writing strong paragraphs: Paragraph Structure Using transition words to link ideas, sentences and paragraphs. What's in this guide Paragraph Structure Types of paragraphs Writing a logical paragraph What are linking words? Transitions and their uses Additional resources. What is a paragraph? Paragraph Structure A useful way of understanding paragraph structure is to think of it as a block that is divided into three sections: the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Supporting Sentences SS - the middle Elaborates and explains the idea introduced in the topic sentence Provides evidence and examples Explains the evidence or example included - why is it relevant? Concluding Sentence CS - the end Makes links: back to the main idea of the paragraph; back to research question or topic of the assignment; to the next paragraph.

When to start a new paragraph: Start new main points or new ideas in a new paragraph. If you have an extended idea across multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph. Use a new paragraph to introduce a contrasting or different position. Use a clear topic sentence to identify the main idea.