Writing Formal Paragraphs
Purpose: The purpose of writing a formal paragraph is to prove something to your
reader.
Writing a persuasive, formal paragraph should not necessarily be a daunting task,
especially if you follow the proper structure and guidelines that will be taught to
you in class. These next few steps will help you to generate your formal paragraph.
1.
Develop a topic sentence.
This will state your main idea but, most importantly, what you will be proving in that
paragraph. This can also be referred to as the “statement of proof.”
Develop supporting points.
You need to now generate different points/statements that will help to convince
your reader to believe your topic sentence. In other words, now you have to “prove
it.” In a formal paragraph you must have THREE supporting points.
2.
Come up with specific EXAMPLES to support each of your points.
3.
Discuss the SIGNIFICANCE of each of your examples and relate your
discussion back to your topic sentence.
You must now focus on each point separately and decide what examples you are
going to use as support to prove each of your points. This is where you need to be
more detailed and critical in your discussion, helping your reader better understand
your points.
This is probably the most important part of your paragraph since you are not only
referring to the “HOW” of your topic but also the “WHY.” Don’t forget to always
relate back to your topic sentence!
4.
Conclusion
You need to now end your paragraph with a statement that sums up your argument,
connects your thoughts, and reminds your reader of what you have just proven to
them.
Things to remember when writing formal paragraphs:
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always write in complete, detailed sentences.
be sure to indent the first line of your paragraph
do not leave any spaces between your points.***
Also remember to EDIT
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Try replacing words that are repeated too many times.
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One way to make your writing more cohesive is to use linking words when you move
from sentence to sentence. Do not use them too often or they too will become
repetitive.
Remember that your paragraph needs to flow – one “point-example-significance”
needs to move smoothly into the next. Your statements and thoughts should never
be abrupt and disjointed.
Some examples of linking words and phrases are:
also
a second reason
as a result
furthermore
nevertheless
still
consequently
therefore
as well as
in addition
otherwise
yet
for example
after all
for instance
another
meanwhile
similarly
yet
besides
however
Name:______________________________________________Date:_______
Topic Sentence: be sure to make a specific point about something
Point # 1:
Proof #1:
Comment #1:
Point # 2:
Proof #2:
Comment #2:
Point # 3:
Proof #3:
Comment #3:
Conclusion: Rewrite the main idea but in a different way. A suggestion for how to do
this is to reverse the order of the topic sentence