Paragraph Structure And Development
WRITING CENTER WORKSHOP: October 11th, 2012
Duane Theobald: dtheobal@westga.edu
What do you know about paragraphs? How should they be structured
and developed?
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What do you wish to learn/take with you from this workshop today?
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Before we dive into paragraph structure, let’s review!
How are these concepts related to one another?
Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement
Paragraphs
**While it seems that these three elements are separate and important
on their own merits, they actually benefit greatly from one another and
connect together in perfect, written harmony!**
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What is a paragraph?
Paragraphs are the building blocks of a paper. A paragraph will:
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A paragraph usually consists of three parts. This basic paragraph format will help
you to write and organize a paragraph and make each paragraph lead to the next:
1. ______________: the main idea of each paragraph; will show how the idea
relates to the thesis statement or overall focus of the paper. The topic
sentence is generally the first sentence of each paragraph, and all
sentences that follow it should support the topic sentence itself.
2. _______________: elaborate upon and prove the topic sentence;
supporting details should be drawn from a variety of sources and based on
research, experience, etc., plus the writer’s own analysis. You can use a
combination of different supports to make the paragraph strong and
effective:
a.
Make sure to keep in
mind that some
b.
supports may not work
c.
for certain assignments!
d.
e.
3. _________________: final statement that ties together the ideas brought
up in the paragraph and emphasizes the main idea. If the essay is longer, it
could help serve as a transition to the ideas of the next paragraph.
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Paragraph Structure: At A Glance!
Read through the following paragraph and mark/highlight the 3 different
parts of the paragraph.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires eating a nutritious diet and getting
regular exercise. A nutritious diet includes eating a variety of foods from each
of the four food groups: meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and grains. Regular
exercise is also an essential part of keeping a healthy lifestyle. Most experts
recommend exercising at least thirty minutes a day, six days a week. These
two aspects, eating a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis, will help
maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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What do I do if my paragraph is…
 Too Short?-There are many strategies for developing your ideas!
Examples and
Illustrations
Narration
Description
Process
Comparison/
Contrast
Analogy
Cause and
Effect
Classification
and Division
Analysis
Definition
An illustration is an extended (long) example.
Tells a story or part of a story; usually arranged in chronological order.
Sketches a portrait of a person, place, or thing by using concrete and specific sensory
details.
Usually in chronological order; describes a process or how to perform a process.
To compare is to draw attention to similarities and perhaps differences as well; to
contrast is to draw attention only to differences.
Draw comparison between items that seem different. We do this to make the
unfamiliar seem familiar, to provide a concrete understanding of an abstract topic (“an
essay is like a sandwich”), to argue a point, or to offer fresh thoughts on a subject.
May start with causes and discuss effects, or may start from effects and discuss causes,
depending on the emphasis required for your argument or point.
Classification groups items into categories based on some principle; division takes one
item and divides it into parts according to some principle.
Break down a topic (or text) into significant parts and examine how those parts relate
to each other.
Puts a word or concept into a general class (feelings, rights, food) and then provides
details to distinguish it from others in that class.
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 Too Long?-Paragraphs must focus on a main point: state the main
point in a topic sentence and then do not stray from the point!
Paragraph Practice:
In the following paragraph there are two sentences that diminish
development. Underline them in the paragraph below.
(1) Although many people scorn the idea of keeping a pet fish because of its
lack of emotional response, there are actually quite a few advantages to keeping
such a pet. (2) First of all, a fish will never leave its aquarium. (3) Related to this,
the second advantage of having a fish is that it is incapable of doing any bodily
damage to the owner. (4) Perhaps fish are not very emotional, but it is wise to
first look at the positive aspects of having one before making a final judgment on
their worth in the home.
 Not Clear?-You want coherent paragraphs, so use verbal and
logical bridges to keep everything connected. Each sentence
should be clearly related to the next sentence.
Repetition
Repeat key words to emphasize the main idea:
A photograph displays a unique moment. To capture that moment…
Pronouns
Use pronouns and antecedents to form connections between sentences and avoid unnecessary
repetition:
Germany imports raw materials, energy sources, and food products. It exports a wide range of industrial
products, including automobiles, aircraft, and machine tools.
Parallel Structure
Repeat sentence structure to emphasize connections:
Because the former West Germany lived through a generation of prosperity, its people developed high
expectations of material comfort. Because the former East Germany lived through a generation of
privation, its people developed disdain for material values.
Synonyms
Use words that are close in meaning to refer back to preceding words/phrases:
In the world of photography, critics argue for either a scientific or an artistic approach. This
controversy…
Transitional Expressions
Use transitional words and phrases to link one idea with another, and show the relationship between
them:
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Note the differences:
WITHOUT TRANSITIONS
WITH TRANSITIONS
Glaser was in a position to powerfully affect
Clearly, Glaser was in a position to affect powerfully
Armstrong’s career and his life. There is little
Armstrong’s career and his life. However, there is
evidence that the musician submitted to
little evidence that the musician submitted to
whatever his business manager wanted or
whatever his business manager wanted or
demanded. Armstrong seemed to recognize that demanded. In fact, Armstrong seemed to recognize
he gave Glaser whatever power the manager
that he gave Glaser whatever power the manager
enjoyed over him. Armstrong could and did
enjoyed over him. When he wanted to, Armstrong
resist Glaser’s control when he wanted to. That
could can did resist Glaser’s control, and that may be
may be one reason why he liked and trusted
one reason why he liked and trusted Glaser as much
Glaser as much as he did.
as he did.
-Esther Hoffman, “Louis Armstrong and Joe Glaser”
 Not Organized?-Paragraphs should ALWAYS be organized; it helps
with development and coherence.
Chronological Organization
Often used to describe a series of events, steps, or observations.
Spatial Organization
Presents details as they appear to a viewer: from top to bottom, outside to inside, east
to west, etc.
General-to-Specific Organization
Starts with a general topic sentence to give the main idea, then gives specifics to
elaborate on the idea.
Specific-to-General Organization
Specific details lead up to a general topic sentence at the end of the paragraph as a
conclusion; used when preparing readers for a revelation.
Remember…
 Thesis statements, topic sentences, and paragraphs are all connected
and all “speak” to one another.
 A paragraph will consist of a topic sentence, supporting details, and a
concluding sentence. Be aware, however, that the details may vary from
essay to essay/assignment to assignment-write accordingly!
 Paragraphs may need details added or taken away at times. They may
also need to be more clear and concise. Make sure to recognize when
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this is the case and correct your writing
as needed.
 If in doubt, consult your professor, peers, tutoring services (UWC!)