Writing an Academic Paragraph

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences

dealing with a single topic.

Good paragraphs greatly assist your readers in

following a piece of writing.

You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't

presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your
readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).
Paragraph Structure
The Three Parts of a Paragraph

1. Topic 2. Supporting
Sentence (TS) Details (SD)

3. Concluding
sentence (CS)
• Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important
characteristics. First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty
that is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is suitable for
jewelry, coins, and ornamental purposes. Gold never
needs to be polished and will remain beautiful forever.
For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished
today as the day it was made 25 centuries ago. Another
important characteristic of gold is its usefulness to
industry and science. For many years, it has been used in
hundreds of industrial applications, such as photography
and dentistry. The most recent use of gold is in
astronauts’ suits. Astronauts wear gold-plated heat
shields for protection when they go outside spaceships in
place. In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its
beauty but also for its utility.
Paragraph Outline
 The topic sentence is
the first sentence in
the paragraph.

It states the main idea

of a paragraph.
The Topic
Sentence It also limits the topic to one
specific area that can be discussed
completely in the space of a single
paragraph. ( Controlling idea)

The reader can see what the

paragraph is going to be about
and is therefore better prepared
to understand it.
Topic sentence = Topic + Controlling Idea

The Topic part names what the paragraph is about.

The controlling idea limits the topic to a specific area

to be discussed in the space of a single paragraph.
 The topic sentence usually comes at the
beginning of a paragraph. It tells the
reader the main idea of the paragraph.

Position of
Topic A good topic sentence shouldn’t be too
specific because it needs to relate to all
sentences the ideas in the paragraph.

The topic sentence should be a complete

sentence.
 Example for a Topic Sentence
Topic: Cell phones
Topic sentence can be one of the following:
• 1. Using the cell phone while driving can be very
dangerous.
• 2. There are certain rules of cell phone manners
that everyone should know.
3. Cell phones have changed the way we
communicate.
 • Driving on freeways requires skill and
alertness.
• Registering for college classes can be a
frustrating experience for new students.
• The rise of indie films is due to several
factors.
Check these • Studying abroad has three main
out ! advantages.
• Spectacular beaches make Puerto Rico a
tourist paradise.
• In my opinion, television commercials for
cosmetics lie to women.
• Taste and appearance are both important
in Japanese cuisine.
 • Driving on freeways requires skill and
alertness.
• Registering for college classes can be a
frustrating experience for new students.
• The rise of indie films is due to several
factors.
Check these • Studying abroad has three main
out ! advantages.
• Spectacular beaches make Puerto Rico a
tourist paradise.
• In my opinion, television commercials for
cosmetics lie to women.
• Taste and appearance are both important
in Japanese cuisine.
 Decide which is the best topic sentence for a
paragraph.

Too general? Too specific? Best Topic

Incomplete?
Sentence?

A. It is hard to know B. In some large

which foods are ocean fish, there
safe to eat are high levels of
nowadays. mercury.

C. Undercooked
chicken and
D. Not to mention E. Food safety is an
hamburger may
mad cow disease. important issue.
carry E.coli
bacteria.
Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences (Development) explain or
prove the topic sentence.

One of the biggest problems in student writing is

that students often fail to support their ideas
adequately.

Supporting details can include: examples,

facts( statistics), and quotations.
• The Paragraph should have at least two supporting details.
• Supporting Detail 1
(a) Evidence
(b) Explanation

• Supporting Detail 2
(a) Evidence
(b) Explanation
The evidence: supports your point. This can be an example or fact from studies
and researches.
The explanation: describes in detail how the proof supports your point.
 Example

TS: Many college students have irregular or poor

sleep patterns.

A recent study in Cambridge university shows that many students have later
bedtimes and rise times during weekends than they do on weekdays . The
study suggests that busy schedules during the week prevents students from
getting adequate sleep.

Therefore, performing many tasks does not enable

students to develop a regular sleep routine which
negatively affects their concentration and performance.
 TS: Many college students have irregular or poor sleep
patterns.

Another reason relates to the use of technology prior to

bed. For example, using cell phones, music devices,
computers, and video games before going to bed influence
Chunk 2 the students’ ability to get a good night’s sleep. They
often wake unrefreshed.

Hence, these devices increase their alertness.

 Whole Paragraph
• Many college students have irregular or poor sleep patterns. A
recent study in Cambridge university shows that many students
have later bedtimes and rise times during weekends than they
do on weekdays . The study suggests that busy schedules during
the week prevents students from getting adequate sleep.
Therefore, performing many tasks does not enable students to
develop a regular sleep routine which negatively affects their
concentration and performance. Another reason relates to the
use of technology prior to bed. For example, using cell phones,
music devices, computers, and video games before going to bed
influence the students’ ability to get a good night’s sleep. They
often wake unrefreshed. Hence, these devices increase their
alertness.
Concluding Sentence
 The purposes of a concluding sentence

It leaves the reader with the Either summarizing the

It signals the end of the
most important ideas to main points of the
paragraph.
remember by : paragraph

Remember: you need a

Or by repeating the topic
sentence in different words.
concluding sentence when
you are writing a paragraph.
It is not necessary when
you are writing an essay
with many paragraphs.
 Sample paragraph 2
• One negative change that many first-year students experience is
an increased amount of stress. Having to balance schoolwork and
extra curricular activities is one reason of an increase in stress.
Many students can find it difficult trying to succeed both
academically and with activities. Thus, this lack in time management
skills needed to balance all these activities can lead to stress that was
not experienced in middle school. A second reason for stress among
first-year students is trying to build new friendships. Learning how
to make new friends can be a difficult, uncomfortable process for
new students. Many of them are coming from high school where they
have been surrounded by the same social group and have not had to
make new friends in a number of years. To sum up, the difficulty to
show time management skills and make new friends could be a
source of stress for first-year students.