Paragraph Writing

Paragraphs have (4) basic parts

  • Title- top of the page which is separated from the paragraph
  • Introduction-usually first or second sentence-called the topic sentence
  • Body-3 or more detail sentences
  • Conclusion-usually the last sentence-called the clincher

Topic Sentence

  • Usually first sentence
  • Introduces the main idea (the same idea that is expressed in the title)
  • Sometimes introduces the details
  • 3 types include

-General Topic Sentence-covers only the main idea but not the details of the

paragraph (see examples below).

-Clueing Topic Sentence-names the main idea and provides some information

about the details to be included in the paragraph. These sentences often use clue

words such as many, several, a number of, number (three), kinds, types, parts,

elements, reasons, categories, similarities, differences, etc (see examples below).

-Specific Topic Sentence- names the main idea and names the details to be

covered in the paragraph (see examples below).

  • Examples

-General- NIU is an interesting place to receive an education. Special education

is an exciting field. I enjoy working with students with disabilities.

-Clueing-Students attend NIU for several reasons. There are three reasons why

special education is an exciting field.

For a variety of reasons, I enjoy working with students with disabilities.

-Specific-Students attend NIU because of its reputation, location, and programs.

Special education is an exciting field because of the collaboration, the

challenges, and the personal rewards.

I enjoy working with students with disabilities because it is personally

rewarding, professionally challenging, and spiritually uplifting.

Detail Sentences

  • Form the body of the paragraph.
  • Each detail sentence contains information about one or more of the main points or details of the paragraph.

Two types of Detail Sentences

  • Lead-off sentences

-Comes first in the line-up of detail sentences that are written about the same

detail

-Introduce a new detail to the reader.

-Include a transition word to show the relationship between the new detail and the

rest of the paragraph.

-Examples: The first reason, the most important element, the largest element, etc.

  • Follow-up Sentences

-Follow the lead-off sentence with additional information about the detail.

-They add to the information provided in the lead-off sentence.

-You can write as many follow-up sentences as needed to convey information

about the detail to be discussed.

  • 5 requirements of a detail sentence:
  1. They must contain related information.
  2. They must be in a logical sequence (such as size, time, space, importance or chain-link).
  3. They must include a transition if it introduces a new detail.
  4. They must be written from the same point of view as the other sentences in the paragraph (i.e., first person, (I); second person, (You); third person (he, she, they, it, them).
  5. They must be written in the same tense as the other sentences in the paragraph (past, present, future).
  • Clincher Sentences

-Similar to topic sentences.

-Form the conclusion of the paragraph.

-Usually the last sentence in the paragraph.

-Closes the paragraph.

-Names the main idea of the paragraph.

-Sometimes summarizes or names the details of the paragraph.

-Is different from the topic sentence (should use different words than the topic

sentence).

-Sometimes they start with a concluding transition (a word or group of words that

tell the reader that you are finishing something.)

  • Three types of Clincher Sentences

-General-summarizes only the main idea of a paragraph, it may make the reader

think more about the topic.

-Clueing-names the main idea and ties the details together with a clue word (same

clue words we used earlier in the clueing topic sentence).

-Specific-names the main idea, names the specific details that were covered in the

paragraph order.

Summary of Paragraphs

-A paragraph has a title that conveys the main idea; a topic sentence that can be

general, clueing, or specific; lead-off sentences for each new detail; follow-up

sentences after the lead-off sentences; and a clincher sentence that can be general,

clueing, or specific.