Parts of a Paragraph Topic Sentences, Supporting Sentences, Transitions, Unity, and Coherence

Main Controlling Ideas or Topic Sentences The main idea of the paragraph. Usually comes at the beginning of the paragraph, but can be placed at the end of the paragraph.

Main Supports Are sentences that explain in detail the topic sentence or main controlling idea of a paragraph. There are normally at least two main supports in a valid and well developed paragraph.

Supporting Sentences The details, examples, and facts that support your topic sentence/main controlling idea and main supports. These sentences come after your main supports. These sentences will be the answer to the question on your pre-write.

Supporting Sentences … Supporting sentences are referred to as evidence. Every valid and fully developed paragraph must have evidence to support the ideas expressed in the paragraph. This evidence comes from a text or is personal or factual data collected to support an idea in a paragraph.

Unity Unity in a paragraph means that all the parts are related to a single key idea. In a paragraph that has unity, all sentences support the topic sentence. (Don’t change topics in a paragraph!)

Which Sentence Doesn’t Belong? Reactions to poison ivy vary. Some people seem to be immune to it, although the immunity may not continue throughout a lifetime. Usually, those who are allergic to poison ivy develop an itchy skin rash when they come into physical contact with the vine. The smoke from the vines can also carry the poison. Children often get rashes on their hands and faces while playing outdoors.

Coherence Coherence means that ideas are organized in a logical order and in a way that allows readers to see the connections and understand the flow of ideas.

Is this coherent? Many people find the microwave a useful tool to solve the problems presented by the lengthy meal preparation times demanded by traditional cooking. America is a country always on the move. Many American citizens no longer have or want to take the time to cook a full meal. Microwave cooking can provide a quick, tasty, nutritious meal.

Correction: America is a country always on the move. Many American citizens no longer have or want to take the time to cook a full meal. For example, many people find the microwave a useful tool to solve the problems presented by the lengthy meal preparation times demanded by traditional cooking. Therefore, microwave cooking can provide a quick, tasty, nutritious meal.

Transitions Establish logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your paper. Signal relationships between ideas Provide the reader with directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument.

Transitions Signs you might need them: Your teacher has written the following on your writing: “jumpy” - “trouble following” “choppy” - “you write the way you think” Transitions between paragraphs highlights a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and suggesting something of the content of the paragraph that follows. can be a word or two (however, for example, similarly), a phrase, or a sentence. can be at the end of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in both places. Transitions within paragraphs act as cues by helping readers to anticipate what is coming before they read it. tend to be single words or short phrases.

Wrap Up or Conclusion … At the end of each paragraph, you should gracefully and intelligently wrap up or conclude your thoughts. A great method to employ to do this is the rhetorical device known as restatement. You could restate your topic sentence to signal to your reader that you are finished making your point. To restate something means to say the same idea with different words.