Developing a Paragraph

Paragraphs divide ideas and images together into coherent thought groups so that the information will be logical to the reader. When you are preparing to write a paragraph for class, you should begin by organizing your thoughts about your topic. Since one paragraph can not include everything about a topic, you must decide what smaller, more limited part of that subject can be managed. You need an informal outline to help you analyze how much information you have, and what logical process you will use to connect the ideas for the reader. For example, you might: compare or contrast two aspects of something; show that there are certain similar attributes (or qualities) which are connected to your subject; show a time sequence; demonstrate causal relationships; give a visual description which creates a particular mood. Put at least two well-developed supporting details in your outline. At this point, you are ready to put your controlling idea into a topic sentence. The topic sentence will tell the reader what to expect or look for, and all the sentences in your paragraph should connect in some way with it. To create varied, interesting sentences which accomplish that will be your next job.

See also: owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_outlin.html for formal outline guidelines, and postings on this blog for Transition Words and Conjunctive Adverbs . The following site has an ongoing list of pointers for advanced writers of English prose and journalism: www.poynter.org/default.asp