Focus  One paragraph has only one topic.  The topic is stated in a topic sentence.  All the other sentences in the paragraph are related to the topic sentence.  No sentences are “off topic.”

Focus (cont’d.)  The topic sentence establishes a “bull’s eye” that the other sentences must hit.

Development  The topic introduced in the topic sentence is adequately developed. (English paragraphs tend to be longer than Chinese paragraphs.)  Supporting sentences should be in logical order.  One standard form of development is to make three points about the topic and then to give an example of each point.

A standard form of paragraph development: I. Topic Sentence II. Body A. Point A Example of Point A B. Point B Example of Point B C. Point C Example of Point C III. Conclusion

Coherence  There are smooth transitions between the sentences in a paragraph.