How To Write A Good Paragraph: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Good Paragraph: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing well composed academic paragraphs can be tricky. The following is a guide on how to
draft, expand, refine, and explain your ideas so that you write clear, well-developed
paragraphs.
Step 1: Decide the Topic of Your Paragraph
Step 2: Develop a Topic Sentence
Before writing a paragraph, it is important to think first about the topic and then what you want
to say about the topic. Most often, the topic is easy, but the question then turns to what you
want to say about the topic. This concept is sometimes called the controlling idea.
Strong paragraphs are typically about one main idea or topic, which is often explicitly stated in a
topic sentence. Good topic sentences should always contain both (1) a topic and (2) a
controlling idea.
The topic The main subject matter or idea covered in the paragraph.
The controlling idea This idea focuses the topic by providing direction to the composition.
Read the following topic sentences. They all contain a topic (in bold) and a controlling idea
(underlined). When your paragraphs contain a clearly stated topic sentence such as one of the
following, your reader will know what to expect and, therefore, understand your ideas better.
Examples of topic sentences with controlling ideas:
Topic Controlling idea
 People can avoid plagiarizing by taking certain precautions.
 There are several advantages to online education.
 Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.
Step 3: Demonstrate Your Point
After stating your topic sentence, you need to provide information to prove, illustrate, clarify,
and/or exemplify your point.
Ask yourself:
 What examples can I use to support my point?
 What information can I provide to help clarify my thoughts?
 How can I support my point with specific data, experiences, or other factual material?
 What information does the reader need to know in order to see my point?
Here is a list of the kinds of information you can add to your paragraph:
 Facts, details, reasons, examples

 Information from the readings or class discussions
 Paraphrases or short quotations
 Statistics, polls, percentages, data from research studies
 Personal experience, stories, anecdotes, examples from your life
Sometimes, adding transitional or introductory phrases like: for example, for instance, first,
second, or last can help guide the reader. Also, make sure you are citing your sources
appropriately.
Step 4: Give Your Paragraph Meaning
After you have given the reader enough information to see and understand your point, you need
to explain why this information is relevant, meaningful, or interesting.
Ask yourself:
 What does the provided information mean?
 How does it relate to your overall point, argument, or thesis?
 Why is this information important/significant/meaningful?
 How does this information relate to the assignment or course I am taking?
Step 5: Conclude
After illustrating your point with relevant information, add a concluding sentence. Concluding
sentences link one paragraph to the next and provide another device for helping you ensure
your paragraph is unified. While not all paragraphs include a concluding sentence, you should
always consider whether one is appropriate.
Concluding sentences have two crucial roles in paragraph writing:
First, they draw together the information you have presented to elaborate your controlling idea
by:
 Summarizing the point(s) you have made.

 Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence.
 Using linking words that indicate that conclusions are being drawn (e.g.,
therefore, thus, resulting).
Second, they often link the current paragraph to the following paragraph. They may anticipate
the topic sentence of the next paragraph by:
 Introducing a word/phrase or new concept which will then be picked up in the

topic sentence of the next paragraph.
 Using words or phrases that point ahead (e.g., the following, another, other).
Step 6: Look Over and Proofread
The last step in good paragraph writing is proofreading and revision. Before you submit your
writing, look over your work at least one more time. Try reading your paragraph out loud to
make sure it makes sense. Also, ask yourself these questions:
 Does my paragraph answer the prompt and support my thesis?

 Does it make sense? Does it use the appropriate academic voice?

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How to Write a Good Paragraph: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Decide the Topic of Your Paragraph

Step 2: Develop a Topic Sentence

Examples of topic sentences with controlling ideas:

Topic Controlling idea

 People can avoid plagiarizing by taking certain precautions.

 There are several advantages to online education.

 Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.

Step 3: Demonstrate Your Point

 Facts, details, reasons, examples

Step 4: Give Your Paragraph Meaning

 Summarizing the point(s) you have made.

 Introducing a word/phrase or new concept which will then be picked up in the

Step 6: Look Over and Proofread

 Does my paragraph answer the prompt and support my thesis?

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