Anatomy of a paragraph

T H E B U I L D I N G B L O C K S O F A N E S S A Y

ANATOMY OF A PARAGRAPH

FOCUS (1 IDEA:1 ¶)

• Paragraphs are the living tissues of an essay. They fill out the outline or skeleton of a paper one block at a time, fleshing out premises and grounds by adding example, illustration, examination, analysis, and explanation. Those tissues are thus comprised of smaller, concrete cells (sentences) and even smaller atoms or compounds (words). Sentences in a paragraph all have to work together as a single functional unit to support the full body of an argument.

• Each paragraph should address a single topic, established in the first sentence.• The topic sentence.

• A good paragraph stays focused on its topic, supports that topic and the thesis with evidence, and clarifies key points (grounds) with analysis and explanation. All of the sentences in a paragraph should aim at proving the main claim of an argument.

STRUCTURE

• Most paragraphs in an essay have a tripartite structure—

• Introduction: the first section; should include the topic sentence and any other sentences that give background information orprovide a transition.

• Body: the middle section; illustrates and supports the controlling idea by providing facts/data/ statistics, examples, and analysis of those to clarify the grounds.

• Conclusion: the final section; evaluates connections between the information discussed in the body of the paragraph, the topic sentence, and a paper’s thesis; answers the “So what?” and “Who cares?” and gives the topic a larger context.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

STRUCTURE: ¶ INTRODUCTION

• The first sentence of an

essay should introduce

the subject matter.

• This is usually the topic

sentence.

• In an argument of definition,

terms or concepts may need

clarification to make sure the reader knows what you

mean when you use abstract words like “consciousness” or

“truth.”

• Background context may need to be given before an

example is discussed, especially if the example comes

from another source, e.g. establish source’s

credibility/relevance.

TOPIC SENTENCES

• A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea through its topic sentence.

• A topic sentence has several important functions: • Substantiate or support the thesis statement• Unify paragraph content • Direct the order of the sentences• Establish the subject and how it will be addressed

• Topic sentences, ideally, should be the first statement of a paragraph.

• In some cases, however, it’s more effective to place another sentence before the topic sentence, i.e. a sentence linking the current paragraph to the previous one (transition), or one providing background information (context).

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

STRUCTURE: ¶ BODY

• After the set up (topic sentence + background context), an example should be provided to illustrate the subject (grounds) established by the topic sentence. • Provide a concrete example, evidence, or data/statistics.

• Nothing is self-evident. You have to show the reader what you mean; they cannot read your mind.

• If it’s not on the page, it’s not there.

• Show, don’t tell. Remember seeing is believing, so demonstrate.

• Analyze and explain how the example supports the reason (supporting claim in the topic sentence).• Analytic explanation clarifies how you want the reader to

understand the example in relation to your point.

STRUCTURE: ¶ CONCLUSION

• Offer some kind of larger context (the “So What?”) to make the grounds and analysis real—relevant—to the argument. • Evaluation and reflection reinforce rhetorical

exigence and clarify your interpretation. • Make sure that what you are arguing for

what matters to your audience.

• Connect the entire paragraph back to the thesis. The last sentence is usually the “take away” message that reinforces the main claim of the argument.• Every paragraph should specifically relate to

the thesis, otherwise the flow of ideas—the logic—becomes unfocused.

• Bring the reader back to the point of the paper.

COHERENCE

• Each sentence should clearly relate to the topic sentence or controlling idea; however, there is more to coherence than this.

• If a paragraph is coherent, each sentence flows smoothly and logically into the next without obvious shifts or jumps.

• A coherent paragraph also highlights the ties between old information and new information to make the structure of ideas or arguments clear to the reader.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

LENGTH

• Along with the smooth flow of sentences (logic &

arrangement), length matters.

• Overly long paragraphs (over ¾ of a page) may need to

be broken into two paragraphs to keep the reader from

getting lost or bored. Look for a good place to start a

new paragraph where the subject or grounds seem to

wander away from the topic sentence.

• Overly short paragraphs (only one to three sentences)

may need more development to clearly explain and

support its controlling idea.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

THEME & VARIATION

• Iterate key ideas. In paragraphs where you define or identify an important idea or theory, be consistent in how you refer to it by using synonyms.

• Avoid redundancy. When using repetitive words or phrases, find variations instead of repeating the same thing over and over and over and over and over.

• Consistency can bind a paragraph together. However, it can also undermine the effect and instead weaken your credibility through the appearance of a limited and overly simplistic vocabulary.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

CONSISTENCY

• Be consistent in point of view,

verb tense, and number.

Subject-verb and subject-

predicate agreement is a

subtle but important aspect of

coherence.

• Shifting from "you" to the impersonal

“one,” from past to present tense,

or from “a man” to “they,” for

example, makes a paragraph less

coherent.

• Such inconsistencies confuse the

reader and make the logic of the

argument more difficult to follow.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

PARALLELS

• Use parallel structures. This kind of

sentence phrasing is created by

constructing two or more sentences that

have the same grammatical structure

and use the same parts of speech.

• Parallel structure can make your

sentences clearer, easier to connect,

and easier to read.

• Parallel structures can help the reader

see that a paragraph is organized as a

set of examples, connect general

statements or rhetorical questions. This is

especially useful if comparisons or

contrasts are being made.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

TRANSITIONS

Use transition words or phrases between sentences and between paragraphs. Transitional expressions emphasize the relationships between ideas.

Help readers follow your train of thought or see connections that they might otherwise miss or misunderstand.

Don’t shotgun a much of statements into a paragraph and think that the reader will follow you. Guide them along the flow of ideas so they know how to follow you there.

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington

TRANSITIONS

• To show addition: again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too

• To give examples: for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate

• To compare: also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly

• To contrast: although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet

• To summarize or conclude: all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up

• To show time: after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while

• To show place or direction: above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)

• To indicate logical relationship:accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus

Adapted from Indiana University Bloomington