HOW TO WRITE A DEVELOPED PARAGRAPH

A Brief Synopsis of Friday's Class

•Step 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence

Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This controls the paragraph development. Often, it will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph's controlling idea.

•Step 2. Explain the controlling idea

Paragraph development continues with an expression of the rationale or the explanation that the writer gives for how the reader should interpret the information presented in the idea statement or topic sentence of the paragraph. The writer explains his/her thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the paragraph.

•Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples)
Paragraph development progresses with the expression of some type of support or evidence for the idea and the explanation that came before it. The example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph.

•Step 4. Explain the example(s)
Next, explain your example(s) and relevance to the topic. Show the reader why you chose to use the example(s) as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in the paragraph.
NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You may be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence.

•Step 5. Complete the paragraph's idea or transition into the next paragraph

The final sentence should tie up the loose ends of the paragraph and remind the reader of the relevance of the information in this paragraph to the main idea of the paper. Or you can simply transition your reader to the next development that will be in the next paragraph. Basically, come to a “mini-conclusion” that will allow you to move on to your next paragraph – which will either continue along that vein – or it will introduce a new topic sentence.

NOTE: You can repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed in the paragraph -- until the main idea has been developed. An "average" paragraph will be seven or eight sentences. Remember that it is difficult to hold the reader's attention in a long paragraph -- you shouldn't need many more sentences than that to make your point - as long as your sentences are strong.

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