3. Basic Elements of the Paragraph

3. Elements of a paragraph

  A good paragraph consists of three basic elements:

    1. A topic sentence announces one main idea
    2. Supporting sentences use specific details to develop the idea
    3. A concluding sentence

  1.  topic sentence

  A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Being the most important sentence in the paragraph, a topic sentence directs the reader’s attention towards the main points discussed with details in the following sentences (called supporting sentences).

  • A topic sentence should be carefully structured to allow clarity and directedness of important aspect(s) of the topic expected to be developed in the paragraph with supporting sentences.
  • A topic sentence is the writer’s opinion of a particular topic.

 

   A topic sentence has one or two controlling ideas. The latter are words, or phrases in a topic sentence that can be further explained in the paragraph.

  • Controlling idea(s) allows the reader / writer to ask questions that are expected to be answered by the supporting sentences in the paragraph.

 

     Example:

               Many people are capable of reading and writing essays.

 

                             Topic sentence=  topic + controlling idea

  The followings are instances of topic sentences

 

  •  What are the qualities (age, cognitive aptitudes, intellectual habits etc...)  of people capable of reading and writing essays?
  •  What types of essays?
  • What skills are to develop to be capable of reading and writing essays?

 

  •  A topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph, however it can also be at the end of the paragraph.

2. supporting sentences  main functions

  Supporting sentences provide examples for the topic sentence. The supporting sentences of a paragraph develop the main idea presented in the topic sentence. This development can come in the form of examples, reasons, description, etc., depending on the purpose of your paragraph. If, for example, you are writing an opinion-based paragraph, your supporting sentences will consist of reasons and details. If, on the other hand, you are writing a description, your supporting sentences will contain specific details to help the reader form a mental image.

  Unity of supporting sentences

   It is essential that the supporting sentences stay on topic and clearly relate to the main idea of the topic sentence. This connection between the supporting sentences and the topic sentence is called unity. If the supporting sentences are irrelevant or off-topic, the paragraph will not be strong and may be unclear.


 3. The concluding sentence reminds the reader about the topic and main idea of the paragraph or describes the main idea one more time, but with different words.