In order to become a great writer of essays, you must learn how to write great paragraphs. Writing good paragraphs will help you:
Present your thoughts clearly
Keep your reader’s attention
Expand your essay, if necessary
Get better grades on your essays
So, what should a good paragraph contain? Think of paragraphs as mini-essays that have two parts – Lead Sentence and Support. The Lead Sentence is like a thesis statement for your paragraph. See: How to Write a Thesis Statement
The lead sentence should accomplish two things: it should summarize the main point of the paragraph. In other words, it should be the most general statement of the paragraph, and everything that follows is should be more specific. It should also show the reader how the paragraph is organized. For example:
In spite of the efforts of local governments, shark attacks still take place.
This lead sentence does the two things a paragraph should do:
It summarizes the entire point of the paragraph
It tells the reader what to expect in the paragraph.
How many parts will this paragraph have? Two parts: one about the efforts of local governments, and the other – about shark attacks. You could write a few sentences on the government efforts, and then a few that describe either the statistics or a couple of examples of recent shark attacks.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to post one in comments.
Tutor Phil
Comments
sanjay mishrasays
Hi Phil
Cheers!
Pl. tell me if it is correct to put one idea with a topic sentence. I also advice students to change into paragraphs when they need to change tense as well. Tell me if it is all right. Is it OK? I prefer smaller paragraph to bigger ones. Is it fine? I advise students to not to write one sentence paragraph and suggest them to conclude with more than one sentence convincingly.
1. Yeah, if I understand you correctly, it is perfectly okay to put one idea in a topic sentence.
2. Generally, it’s better to stick to one tense throughout the essay. But it’s not always possible, so to start a new tense with a new paragraph makes sense.
3. Shorter paragraphs are more readable. So, I’m all for them.
4. One sentence paragraphs are okay for more experienced writers.
5. Conclusions could be one sentence – that’s fine. But other teachers have different views on this.
As the title of the category suggests, it’s a cool place to start. It’s good that you’ve never written an essay in your life. This means that we don’t have to undo any poor habits or training.
Hi, Tutor Phil
I am glad to recevie your mail and know your new blog address. It seems that tremendous work you have done.
Your tips and bolg are really useful and interesting.
As a non-native speaker, I am concerned about authentic and native American writing style. Special examples( integrated essays) and analysises should be great helpful. Could these be a component of your blog?
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph or a section of a paper. Its purpose is to introduce the section or paragraph by summarizing it as completely and precisely as possible.
What is your context? Wanna post a writing sample?
I’m trying to get my ged before next year.I’m not good at knowing when or how to write paragraphs.Everything I write is usally pretty good,it’s just ends up being a bunch of run-on sentances.Not well at puncuationing either.HELP!
Hi Phil! Thank you for putting your time and effort in this site where I found great hints that help me to structure an essay. I do still have a problem-writing paragraphs. It is clear the general idea of the paragraph is introduced in the first sentence. Now how I develop from there. What questions to ask myself in order to come up with some sentences. Thank you again, Di
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In order to become a great writer of essays, you must learn how to write great paragraphs. Writing good paragraphs will help you:
Hi Phil
Cheers!
Pl. tell me if it is correct to put one idea with a topic sentence. I also advice students to change into paragraphs when they need to change tense as well. Tell me if it is all right. Is it OK? I prefer smaller paragraph to bigger ones. Is it fine? I advise students to not to write one sentence paragraph and suggest them to conclude with more than one sentence convincingly.
1. Yeah, if I understand you correctly, it is perfectly okay to put one idea in a topic sentence.
2. Generally, it’s better to stick to one tense throughout the essay. But it’s not always possible, so to start a new tense with a new paragraph makes sense.
3. Shorter paragraphs are more readable. So, I’m all for them.
4. One sentence paragraphs are okay for more experienced writers.
5. Conclusions could be one sentence – that’s fine. But other teachers have different views on this.
Hope this helps,
T.P.
Thanks Phil. You understand me better.
Hi PHIL
I need to write a essay i have never try to write a essay in my life i need some serious help.
Thank,You
Hey Maxine.
Why don’t you start here:
http://www.tutorphil.com/blog/category/get-started/
As the title of the category suggests, it’s a cool place to start. It’s good that you’ve never written an essay in your life. This means that we don’t have to undo any poor habits or training.
Welcome,
Tutor Phil
Hi, Tutor Phil
I am glad to recevie your mail and know your new blog address. It seems that tremendous work you have done.
Your tips and bolg are really useful and interesting.
As a non-native speaker, I am concerned about authentic and native American writing style. Special examples( integrated essays) and analysises should be great helpful. Could these be a component of your blog?
Thanks for the feedback!
Yes – it’s a great idea to post more examples. Keep an eye on the latest posts. You gave me a good idea.
Keep writing, Zhai Jia,
Phil
Hello:
I am enjoying your simple to the point website about writing essays. Several of your points concerning topic sentences helped me do a better essay.
hey i just read your text, but i need help with a topic sentence
A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph or a section of a paper. Its purpose is to introduce the section or paragraph by summarizing it as completely and precisely as possible.
What is your context? Wanna post a writing sample?
TP
I’m trying to get my ged before next year.I’m not good at knowing when or how to write paragraphs.Everything I write is usally pretty good,it’s just ends up being a bunch of run-on sentances.Not well at puncuationing either.HELP!
Hi Katie.
You might want to check out my post about run-on sentences on this blog. Just search for it at the bottom of the page.
Also, keep an eye on your inbox (I’m assuming you’re subscribed to my newsletter), because you’ll get a lot of tips in your inbox.
Cheers…
TP
Hi Phil! Thank you for putting your time and effort in this site where I found great hints that help me to structure an essay. I do still have a problem-writing paragraphs. It is clear the general idea of the paragraph is introduced in the first sentence. Now how I develop from there. What questions to ask myself in order to come up with some sentences. Thank you again, Di