Paragraph Parts
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the parts of a paragraph.
How Do I Compose a Perfect Paragraph?
A paragraph is a unit of text that communicates one central idea using a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding (or transition) sentence. Knowing the structure of a paragraph will help you express your ideas clearly. A paragraph can appear by itself or be a part of a longer text made up of many paragraphs that present different ideas about the same topic. What’s important is that the paragraph is clearly introduced, adequately discussed and properly concluded.
The part of the paragraph that introduces and supports the idea to be discussed is the topic sentence. Because they introduce ideas, topic sentences logically appear in the beginning of the paragraph and serve to inform the audience on what they are about to read or hear.
In a regular academic text, the topic sentence is usually the first, the second or both sentences in the paragraph. Note here that not all academic texts follow that order. In some texts you may see other information preceding the topic sentence, for example, a sentence linking the current paragraph to the previous one. In this course, however, we will follow the traditional steps for creating a paragraph.
The PEEL method will help you structure a paragraph:
- P – State the point of your paragraph.
- E – Give evidence for your point
- E – Explain or give an example.
- L – Link to the next paragraph.
Developing the skill to create a clear and relevant topic sentence is an important step in the writing process. In this sense your topic sentence will help create the “first impression of the text”. Topic sentences are the core of a paragraph and what keeps its unity and coherence in place. Without a topic sentence, your paragraph may appear disconnected from the topic.
Watch the video below and then answer the question to check your understanding. You can find the PowerPoint from the video here.
Supporting Sentences
After introducing the idea you will present in the paragraph, your next task is to discuss it by using logical arguments using supporting sentences or supporting ideas. Composing clear support for the main idea stated in the topic sentence is a task that requires knowledge of the topic but also effective use of the language with appropriate linking and transitional phrases, that will engage your audience, and help them navigate and understand the text with ease.
Supporting ideas can consist of established facts, examples to illustrate perspectives on the topic, or refer to previous literature about the topic. Please note here that whenever you present personal or popular opinions, you must be able to support them by providing evidence, such as research findings or references to valid sources of information.
Concluding Sentences
Every paragraph has a structure that mirrors that of an essay. As an essay consists of an introduction, body and conclusion so does a paragraph. Although concluding sentences are most common in stand-alone paragraphs, some kind of “wrap up” is required for paragraphs that are parts of a bigger essay.
Traditionally, concluding sentences should be about the same length as the topic sentence, 1-2 sentences maximum. Concluding sentences can have 4 distinct functions.
- Restate the main idea, using different words, in order to help the audience re-connect to the text. This function is especially useful when dealing with long and complex paragraphs where the main idea sometimes gets “lost” in the complexity of the text.
- Summarize the main points presented in the body of the paragraph. Similarly to restating the main idea, summarizing the main points serves to help the audience reconnect to the text and aids in better comprehension of the paragraph.
- Serve as a short introduction to the next paragraph. A concluding sentence can sometimes serve as a smooth transition to the paragraph which is about to follow by mentioning the topic to be discussed.
- In argumentative essays, concluding sentences can also include a brief evaluative statement presenting the author’s personal opinion.
Please remember that you should not introduce any new ideas when you conclude a paragraph, unless, as stated earlier, they serve to announce the topic to be discussed in the next paragraph. Concluding sentences can have one of the above functions or in some cases combine more than one function in a brief, concise, concluding statement.
Lesson Recap
Paragraph Structure
- A topic sentence is usually the first sentence (but can sometimes be the last sentence) and states the main idea of the paragraph.
- The supporting sentences in a paragraph, do exactly that — support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence.
- A concluding sentence is usually the last sentence in a paragraph and it restates the main idea or creates a transition to the next paragraph.