Here’s a simple outline that will lead you to a high-quality paragraph:
A paragraph needs 3 things basically:
- a topic sentence that shows the topic and focus
- supporting sentences with transitions and specific details and/or examples
- a concluding sentence (note: this can be excluded at times when writing multiple paragraphs as it can become repetitive)
You should have at least 3 supporting ideas for your topic. If you have a sentence or compound sentence for each supporting idea and example, then your paragraph should run from 5 to 10 sentences in length. Assuming you have that, then a basic outline for your paragraph would look like this:
Topic sentence. Transition. Supporting sentence number one followed by a sentence or two giving specific details and/or examples. Transition. Supporting sentence number two followed by a sentence or two giving specific details and/or examples. Transition. Supporting sentence number three followed by a sentence or two giving specific details and/or examples. Concluding sentence.
Some quick refresher notes:
Topic Sentence: always comes first and states the topic of the paragraph and the focus
Transitions: words that ‘move’ your writing from one idea or point to the next. They are usually time, order, or space related and help the reader to understand the flow and sequence of your message and also make the sentence and paragraph more logical and easily understood. Some transitional words and phrases can be used in more than one situation. That is:
Time: by day, date, hour, what comes when ie first, then, second, after, while
Order: first, then, after that, before
Space: (where things are) on the right, on the left, in front of you/that/ST, behind, above
Concluding sentence: restates your topic sentence
Here is an example paragraph written by one of my students:
I love eating foods from different countries. First, there are many delicious foods all over the world such as Chinese, Korean, Italian and French. Each of them has a fascination that is lacking in Japanese foods. Second, different countries’ foods make me feel that I’ve visited the country. I can feel so at home. In addition, the foods have new discoveries. Sometimes unfamiliar ingredients are used. I can experience tastes that I have never tasted before. For these reasons I enjoy eating other cultural foods.
In this example it is easy to see the topic, the focus, the transitions and the clear supporting statements. Can you find them all?