August 9, 2007
How to Write a Paragraph
A blank piece of paper can be intimidating, even to experienced writers and especially when a deadline looms. But all writing—from exposés to full-length novels—consist of one essential building block: the paragraph. But, if you accept that writing a well-constructed paragraph is a process, then it becomes less challenging when taken step-by-step.
First, examine what kind of paragraph you’re writing. Will you be describing an event, a specific object or place? Or, will you show a comparison/contrast between two different things or ideas? Perhaps your task is to write a paragraph about why you would choose a certain event or action, or to offer an opinion about it. In any case, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the purpose of your paragraph is to clearly express yourself to the reader.
Pre-write. All paragraphs represent an idea. What is the subject or your paragraph? Write down short phrases or keywords that best demonstrate your topic and viewpoint. One way to do this is to ask yourself some basic questions about your topic. What can you tell others about it? Do you like/agree with your subject? Why or why not?
Topic Sentence. Your opening sentence is an expanded version of your key phrases or keywords that introduce your subject. For the most part, this sentence will convey the ‘5 Ws’—Who, What, Where, When and Why.
Paragraph Body. The sentences following your topic sentence act as supporting sentences and may provide statistics, details, or examples that further develop your main idea.
Conclusion. The final sentence of your paragraph should restate your topic sentence by summing up your main idea about your selected topic.
Proofread. Read your draft paragraph out loud to yourself or someone else. Do all of the sentences relate to each other? Does your main idea or opinion come across clearly?
Re-Write. Even professional writers frequently rewrite to make sure that their ideas flow smoothly. Could your paragraph stand improvement? Are your sentences too long? Strive to keep your writing clear and tight. In this case, less is often more.
More Tips:
Unless writing an essay or personal opinion, try to avoid writing in the first person or using ‘you’ when writing your paragraph.
Use your own words. If you’ve found a particular source of information on your topic, you must not use it word-for-word or you’ll be guilty of plagiarizing someone else’s work. Always paraphrase or restate the material to reflect your own voice.
Avoid using contractions or slang when writing in a formal or academic style.