Summary

1.

A paragraph is a unified and coherent collection of sentences that is most often grouped with other paragraphs.

2.

Body paragraphs must have a central point--often a topic sentence located as the first sentence in a paragraph.

3.

A topic sentence consists of the topic plus a statement of opinion or attitude. It should be focused and as interesting as you can make it.

4.

Paragraphs are developed with examples, details, and explanations.

5.

Paragraph support should be sufficient, relevant, and clear.

6.

Paragraphs almost always benefit from specific word choices and specific examples.

7.

Concluding sentences should end a paper decisively. One way to do this is through an expanded thought.

8.

Three types of overall organizational patterns for paragraphs are spatial (descriptive), chronological (narrative), and order of importance (explanatory and persuasive). These methods often overlap.

9.

A paragraph is unified when all examples, details, and explanations relate to a central point (topic sentence).

10.

Paragraphs become coherent when sentences are clearly linked using transitions, repetition, synonyms, pronouns, and references to main ideas.

11.

A title is an important part of a paper, and there are strategies for writing effective ones.

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
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