ACADEMIC WRITING

Style
Sentences
Paragraphs
Vocabulary

Paragraphs

Paragraphs are the building blocks of your text. One paragraph contains an important single thought unit and supports one main idea or topic. Correct, smooth paragraph build-up will help your reader follow your line of thought and reasoning. Each paragraph generally begins with a sentence (topic sentence) that states the main idea or topic of that paragraph. The other sentences in the paragraph will function as supporting, developing, or extending the main idea further, usually by further information, facts and examples. A new paragraph is a signal that you are beginning a new idea or topic. However, each paragraph must connect to the one written before and connect to the one following. Using transitional words and phrases, and connecting ideas, you will create coherence between paragraphs as well as create a text that will be reader friendly. A good paragraph is well-developed - not too long or too short.

CHECK POINTS

- do the paragraphs provide a clear, coherent structure to the text?
- do the paragraphs successfully guide your reader through the text?
- is the beginning of each new idea or topic clearly signalled in the writing(indentation/empty line spacing)?
- do the topic sentences provide a clear path through your text?
- does each paragraph include one topic or main idea?
- are the points in each paragraph supported, developed enough?
- are the paragraphs too long/too short?
- is there irrelevant information in your paragraphs?
- are the paragraphs coherent and clear? Easy to read? Easy to understand?