Paragraphs
are like mini-essays. They state an argument (or thesis),
supply supporting evidence, and summarize conclusions. Like
essays, paragraphs begin with an idea, prove that idea,
and end by showing why that idea is significant.
|
 |
Paragraphs are the
building blocks of your essay: each grouping of sentences into a paragraph
should create a cohesive unit that explicates and illustrates one part
of your overall thesis.
Topic (Transitional) Sentences:
|
Just as your essay has a thesis, or main idea, so your paragraph should have a topic or transitional sentence that states the thesis of the paragraph.
|
ple
Example
Paragraph Unity & Continuity
When you write it is easy to let your thoughts ramble, but when you are presenting your ideas to a reader, it's important to weed out extraneous matter and focus clearly and sharply on your main points.
| Each
sentence in a paragraph should bear a clear relation to the thesis
of the paragraph. Each paragraph must only treat one main subject. Digressions and contradictions distract and confuse the reader. Problems of continuity sometimes indicate only a lack of linking words or phrases, but in other instances, the lack of continuity indicates incomplete thinking. |
Sentence Order
It's important to get your sentences in the right order. They may explain, illustrate, limit, question, reflect on, give support for, or draw a conclusion about what has gone before.
| If
you want to discuss both the similarities and differences between
two texts, for example, you will probably want to group all the similarities
together and all the differences together. If your paragraph contains evidence that conflicts with the topic sentence (concessions, limitations, or objections), such sentences should be grouped together. Finally, it is wise to let the leading idea in your paragraph have the last word. Don't end with a statement that contradicts or undermines your main assertion in the paragraph! |
Paragraph Development
Although there is no "correct" length for a paragraph, paragraphs in papers of the kind students write for Composition 101 & 102 range in length from five to ten sentences.
|
Vary the length of your paragraphs based on importance and evidence. Rarely should a paragraph take up more than two-thirds of a page. |
Sentence Rhythm and Length
Try to make the most of each argument and piece of evidence that you can. It's always good to ask yourself: "Why?", "So what?", "What is the significance of this?", or "How does this relate to what I've just said?"
- Too Many Short Sentences ("Choppy"):
|
Your paragraphs
will be very boring if they are made up of sentences that are all
the same rhythm and length. |
- Too Many Long Sentences:
|
Too many long sentences in a row bog down the reader and make the argument hard to follow. |
Don't quote more than you really need. Your paragraphs should be economical: avoid unnecessary repetition of words or ideas.
When revising, check to see if too many sentences in any paragraph have the same length and rhythm; it's a good idea to read them aloud to see how they sound. Or, mark where each sentence begins and ends; if the units in the paragraph all look similar, you need to revise for variety.
Adapted from a handout
by Diane Matlock
 |
 |
Introduction
| Faculty | Student
| Research | Livewire
| Chat Room | Message
Board
Discipline-specific Writing | Writing
Instruction | Writing Process | Site
Map
Department of English
| Rutgers University-Camden
| Rutgers University
Department
of English
Armitage Hall, Fourth Floor
Rutgers University,Camden, NJ 08102
Tel: (856) 225-6121, Fax: (856) 225-6602
