Build clear paragraphs
The paragraph is one of the key structural elements in most forms of writing. Like a building block, it is usually one of many which, when put together, form the whole. Yet it is also an entity in itself, with its own internal structure. The paragraph contains a topic sentence, supporting (or elaborating) sentences and a concluding (or linking) sentence.
A well-written paragraph will convey your ideas, the relationships between them, and your line of reasoning clearly, while a poorly structured paragraph can obscure your meaning and confuse your reader.
How to build a paragraph
Paragraph structure is important in ensuring that your meaning and thought processes are clear to the reader. A clear paragraph should contain the following:
- the topic sentence, which introduces your point
- the supporting sentences, which develop the point by providing evidence, explanation or examples
- the concluding sentence (optional) which helps connect your point to your overall argument
- every sentence should serve a clear purpose in relation to the topic sentence.
Paragraph purpose
Generally, a single paragraph has a clear communicative purpose.
A paragraph can: inform, explain, analyse, support, refute, describe, qualify, evaluate, compare, contrast, summarise – to name a few purposes. However, in an extended piece of writing consisting of many paragraphs there may be multiple purposes. For instance, you may have a sequence of four paragraphs whereby the first describes, the second explains, the third analyses and the fourth evaluates a particular phenomenon.
In any essay or assignment you are likely to have several points to make or ideas to discuss. You will present information and explain how your thinking developed to reach a particular conclusion. Paragraphs are used to organise this information so that your reader can easily follow your thought processes and the relationship of one topic to another.
Each paragraph therefore has a specific function within the overall aim of the piece of writing. It may serve to describe a topic, explain a concept, analyse findings, support or refute a contention, qualify a claim, evaluate a study, compare or contrast information.
When that purpose has been achieved and you move on to your next point, you generally begin a new paragraph.
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Paragraph structure
The paragraph structure has been likened to a hamburger.
- The top bun represents the introduction.
- The filling in the hamburger represents the supporting (or elaborating) sentences.
- The bottom bun represents the conclusion.
All three elements are needed for a well-structured paragraph.
Play the video below to learn more about paragraph structure and consolidate your understanding.
NoteJust as with a burger, you need the 'buns' (the topic and concluding sentences) of your paragraph to hold it together. You also need 'fillings' (supporting sentences) to develop the theme. But be careful; if you fill your paragraph with too many 'fillings' it may fall apart. |
Most academic writing is structured in paragraphs. Paragraphs break up what could otherwise be very dense text, which is tiring to read, but their main function is to help the reader follow the development of ideas.
You were probably taught that a paragraph should contain one main idea, and that you should begin each new or contrasting idea in a new paragraph. This is a good rule of thumb, but it is not always straightforward to apply.
The following paragraph is from a student teacher’s reflection on her observations during a teaching placement.
I noticed that when poorer students worked in groups they seemed to be more enthusiastic and willing to contribute to finding a solution to the maths questions. In contrast, when they worked alone, they needed much encouragement. One student frequently turned to me for help, and was reluctant for me to leave her. She would ask me to give her the answers, rather than show her how to work through the problem. The confidence a student feels can be understood in terms of 'locus of control'.
According to Rotter (1966) motivation is increased when a person has an 'internal locus of control', that is, when the person perceives outcomes to be a result of their own abilities. However, he argues that when a person feels that outcomes are a result of external forces, or experiences an 'external locus of control', they will be less motivated. When working in groups, these students demonstrated an 'internal locus of control'. They were more willing to try and work through maths concepts in order to contribute when working in groups. They developed an understanding of maths concepts more easily and readily than when working alone. Good teaching then involves creating conditions where students can develop this 'internal locus of control'.
In one way, this paragraph works because it is all about the writer’s reflection on her observation; the students’ behaviour, the relevant theory, and the conclusion she drew. However, it could also have been presented like this:
| Sample paragraphs | Comments |
|---|---|
| I noticed that when poorer students worked in groups they seemed to be more enthusiastic and willing to contribute to finding a solution to the maths questions. In contrast, when they worked alone, they needed much encouragement. One student frequently turned to me for help, and was reluctant for me to leave her. She would ask me to give her the answers, rather than show her how to work through the problem. | This paragraph describes the students’ behaviour |
| The confidence a student feels can be understood in terms of 'locus of control'. According to Rotter (1966) motivation is increased when a person has an 'internal locus of control', that is, when the person perceives outcomes to be a result of their own abilities. However, he argues that when a person feels that outcomes are a result of external forces, or experiences an 'external locus of control', they will be less motivated. | This paragraph explains the relevant theory |
| When working in groups, these students demonstrated an 'internal locus of control'. They were more willing to try and work through maths concepts in order to contribute when working in groups. They developed an understanding of maths concepts more easily and readily than when working alone. Good teaching then involves creating conditions where students can develop this 'internal locus of control'. | This paragraph analyses the students’ behaviour in relation to the theory |
Paragraph length
- Whenever you feel you have ‘completed’ a point, begin a new paragraph.
- If a paragraph fills most of the length of an A4 page it is likely covering more than one key point, and should be broken up. Look for a suitable place to create a break, such as a shift to another aspect of the topic.
- If you really can’t find one, leave it as it is. In academic writing you may have the occasional very short paragraph, but if you have several in a row, you probably need to restructure your assignment.
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Topic sentences
A topic sentence acts as an introduction to the paragraph – it is a signpost for the reader. It establishes the topic and focuses the reader’s expectations on the paragraph content. By doing this, it tells the reader what the paragraph is about. In academic writing it is usually, though not always, the first sentence.
A simple topic sentence performs two essential functions:
- It establishes the topic of the paragraph.
- It sets up the reader’s expectations regarding the aspect of the topic to be developed in the paragraph.
Compare these two topic sentences:
A. Gold has long been valued for its beauty.
B. While gold is well-known for its decorative functions, it also has a range of industrial uses.
It is clear that ‘gold’ is the topic of both paragraphs. After reading sentence A we might expect the paragraph to review the history of gold as a decorative metal. After reading sentence B, we would expect to learn about its industrial uses.
In long pieces of writing, topic sentences can be quite complex as they also play a role in marking the transition from one aspect of a topic to another, or even to a completely new topic.
Look at the topic sentences below.
| Topic sentences | Purposes |
|---|---|
| Jessop et al (2014), however, do not agree that such behaviour is related to trauma. | introduces a contrasting view |
| Similarly, residents at a rural aged care facility also found that their concerns were taken more seriously when meetings with management were conducted formally. | introduces supporting evidence |
| The 25 participants who had given negative feedback were then asked to reflect on what they themselves would have done differently given another opportunity. | marks the move to the next step in a process |
| Biofiltration is increasingly being used to reduce nutrients in urban stormwater discharge to receiving waters. | narrows the topic |
A quick reading of the topic sentence of each paragraph should reveal the gist of the whole assignment.
NoteEnglish readers expect to discover the point of a piece of writing soon after they begin reading. This is true also of paragraphs within a longer piece of writing. The topic sentence is therefore usually the first sentence in a paragraph.While there can be exceptions, for example, when the first sentence has a linking function, the topic sentence should always appear near the beginning, particularly in academic writing. |
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Below are the topic sentences from a first year Criminology essay. Read them in order then answer the question below.
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Locate the topic sentences in the following paragraphs.
Supporting sentences
Supporting sentences make up the bulk of a paragraph. They have the important function of developing and elaborating on the topic and purpose(s) of the paragraph, so they directly develop or elaborate on the point introduced in the topic sentence.
Supporting sentences perform a variety of different functions, depending on the purpose of the paragraph. They may incorporate evidence, quotes, reference material as well as description, analysis and evaluation.
| Analyse | The paragraph provides evidence to show how you have arrived at the claim made in the topic sentence. |
|---|---|
| Concur | The paragraph explains why you agree with another scholar’s idea. |
| Define | The paragraph defines a key term or concept introduced in the topic sentence. |
| Describe | The paragraph builds up a detailed picture of the topic (concept, object, process, phenomenon, location etc). |
| Evaluate | The paragraph assesses the strengths and weaknesses of a claim, argument, hypothesis or method. |
| Explain | The paragraph may explain the topic in detail or provide the reasons for a claim. |
| Negate or refuse | The paragraph argues that another scholar’s idea, or a previously held belief, is incorrect. |
| Qualify | The paragraph indicates the scope of a claim or limitations to the evidence for it. |
| Summarise | The paragraph draws together the key points previously discussed. |
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The paragraph below describes and explains a type of behaviour observed by an education student on a teaching placement.
The writer:
- describes the students’ behaviour
- analyses the behaviour with reference to the relevant literature
- draws a conclusion about the reason for the behaviour.
Click on each tab and follow the instructions.
If you are writing about observed experiment results, you might need to:
- Explain the expected outcome.
- Compare the existing theory with your results.
- Explain the cause of the difference.
- Specify experiment conditions.
- Offer an alternative explanation.
The following paragraph reports on the unexpected results of a biology experiment.
- Read the paragraph and click on the supporting sentences that attempt to explain the outcome of the experiment.
- Read the paragraph again and click on the supporting sentences that qualify the claims made.
NoteWhen revising your drafts, for each sentence ask yourself:
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Paragraph cohesion
The internal structure of a paragraph must flow in a sequential and logical manner – that is, there must be cohesion between the supporting sentences.
There are several language features you can use to achieve internal paragraph cohesion: pronouns, repetition, synonyms, connected words, signpost words/phrases.
The cohesion of a paragraph depends largely on the order in which the ideas are presented. This is especially true in introductory paragraphs, which should begin with the broadest statement about the topic and narrow to the specific topic to be addressed. Look at this paragraph, which introduces an essay on the potential of garlic to treat cancer. Can you identify the topic sentence?
Garlic has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (Aboul-Enein and Aboul-Enein, 2005), and possess anti-microbial (Sivam, 2001) and antioxidant properties (Imai et al., 1994). This essay will explore research into garlic's potential roles in reducing cancer risk and in treating cancer. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Its use for healing purposes can be traced back as far as 1550BC when documentations of its therapeutic use first appear in Egypt (Hassan, 2003; Rivlin, 2001). In modern times belief in the beneficial effects of garlic on health has led to it being used for a number of conditions.
Just as the connection between the topic sentence and the supporting sentences in a paragraph must be clear, so must the connections between the sentences themselves be clear. Otherwise the paragraph can appear disjointed or even incoherent.
This is achieved by using:
Repetition | One way a writer can link sentences in a paragraph is by simply repeating a keyword, but it is important not to use this device too often. You could also use synonyms – however, ensure accuracy of meaning. |
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Pronouns and determiners | Writers often make links between sentences in a paragraph by replacing the repeated use of the main noun with pronouns such as 'it', ‘them’, ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’. These are reference pronouns. Determiners such as ‘the’, ‘this’ and ‘that’ are used for subject identification. |
Synonyms | Another technique is to use words with similar meanings (synonyms) in the paragraph. This is a way of making links between sentences without using too much repetition. |
Connected words and collocations | To make connections between sentences words do not have to be exact synonyms. Sometimes a writer will use words which belong together or have similar associations and connotations. Collocations are certain words that regularly occur together. There are many common collocations in academic English. For example, consider these common collocations for the word “account”: “brief account”, “comprehensive account”, “historical account”. |
Signposting | Signposts such as 'for example', 'however' or 'alternatively' indicate the meaning relationship between (or within) sentences. They tell the reader how to interpret the information presented. |
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The topic sentence has now been placed at the beginning of the paragraph (sentence 1). Rearrange the order of the other sentences to improve the cohesion of the paragraph. Drag and drop each sentence into position.
Hint: Make sure the paragraphs flow from general to specific, and distant to recent.
Identify the linking methods in the paragraph below to see examples of how they are used to maintain cohesion in the paragraph. Click Check to check your answer before navigating to the next part of the activity.
Note
Check your own paragraphs
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Concluding sentence
The concluding sentence draws the paragraph together by either summing up or drawing a conclusion from its content. Additionally, a concluding sentence may link back to the overall topic or transition to the topic of the next paragraph.
Not every paragraph needs a concluding sentence. When used, concluding sentences indicate that the topic - or an aspect of the topic - is complete. They can do this by performing one of the following functions:
- summing up the key point/s of a long paragraph
- drawing a conclusion based on the information presented in the paragraph
- reinforcing the relationship of the paragraph content to the overall aim of the piece of writing
- transitioning to the next paragraph.
There are usually a variety of ways to conclude a paragraph. Your choice will depend on what you want the concluding sentence to do - its function.
Here is a paragraph with three possible concluding sentences, each of which performs a different function.
Despite the wide availability of information on the harmful effects of alcohol on the developing foetus, many western women continue to drink even after learning that they are pregnant. In the USA, approximately 7.6% of pregnant women admitted to drinking during pregnancy [12], while in Canada, approximately 15% of pregnant women consume alcohol [13]. French figures show that up to 47% of women drank alcohol while pregnant [14], and similar results have been seen in Australia [15].
Possible concluding sentences include:
| Concluding sentences | Purposes |
|---|---|
| These figures suggest that factors other than knowledge are at play. | Drawing a conclusion |
| While the proportions of women drinking during pregnancy vary widely from country to country, this is clearly not an isolated phenomenon. | Summing up |
| However, the situation is noticeably different in Asia. | Transitioning to next topic |
The relationship between the concluding sentence and the topic sentence should always be clear. If you cannot trace the development of the theme between them, you may have digressed from the original purpose of the paragraph.
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When a concluding sentence performs a linking function, it is important to ensure that it creates a semantic link to each of the paragraphs it connects. Look at the paragraph below. Which of the two concluding sentence options forms the better link to the next paragraph, which is about media influence in remote areas?