Essay Paragraph Structure
Paragraph structure in an essay is slightly
different from a single paragraph.
Let’s take a look at paragraph one from the
sample essay.
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is thinking positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is good example of a positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stopping. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, which
was to own his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of
thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the
most successful computer software company in the world. Through
his example university students can learn that if they have specific
goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive
attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic
success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in
academic success.
Topic Sentence
a. Highlight or underline words or phrases that
match words and phrases in the thesis.
b. What is the topic of this paragraph? (topic
sentence)
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning
his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking
were factors in creating his company and making it the most
successful computer software company in the world. Through his
example university students can learn that if they have specific
goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive
attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic
success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in
academic success.
Explain the Topic Sentence
Give a short explanation of your definition or
general idea about the meaning of the topic
sentence.
Which sentence explains the topic sentence?
Put L2 next to it.
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning
his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking
were factors in creating his company and making it the most
successful computer software company in the world. Through his
example university students can learn that if they have specific
goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive
attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic
success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in
academic success.
Give Specific Evidence
Use specific examples, details, statistics or other
ideas that SHOW the reader that your topic
sentence is true.
Which sentences give specific examples or
details about the topic sentence? Write L3
next to them.
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning
his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking
were factors in creating his company and making it the most
successful computer software in the world. Through his example
university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind
and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when
faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a
positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.
Interpret the Evidence
TELL the readers how the evidence proves the topic
sentence. Tell them what you want them to learn from
the evidence.
Use GUIDING language such as “This means…” “This
shows…” “This example is important because…” and
other ways or words or phrases that repeat the words
or phrases in the topic sentence.
Which sentence tells the reader why the evidence
supports the topic sentence? Write L3 next to it.
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning
his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking
were factors in creating his company and making it the most
successful computer software company in the world. Through his
example university students can learn that if they have specific
goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive
attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic
success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in
academic success.
Closing sentence/Bridge
Use a sentence that shows the reader that your
paragraph is complete. It can be a restatement
of the topic sentence and/or it can be a bridge
to the next paragraph.
What does the concluding sentence tell us and
how does it connect to the next paragraph?
Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking
positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically
successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from
each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental
attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates
spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his
obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning
his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking
were factors in creating his company and making it the most
successful computer software company in the world. Through his
example university students can learn that if they have specific
goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive
attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic
success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in
academic success.
Review: A strong essay paragraph has:
1. Topic sentence with language that connects it to the
thesis
2. Explanation of the topic sentence
3. Evidence (stories, surveys, expert opinion, etc.)
4. Interpretation of how the evidence supports the main
idea.
5. Concluding sentence
6. Bridge to the next paragraph or from the previous
paragraph: This can be part of the closing sentence or
part of the next topic sentence.
Task:
In body paragraphs 2 and 3, identify the
elements that make a strong paragraph.