1. How do I write a well-developed paragraph?
WRITING PARAGRAPHS
How do I write a well-developed paragraph?

2. An Important Rule ALWAYS WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES!
A complete sentence always has:
a subject (the actor in the sentence)
a predicate (the verb or action)
a complete thought (it can stand alone and make sense—it’s independent)

3. Elements of a Paragraph
Topic Sentence or Claim
Supporting Details or Data and Warrants
Concluding Sentence

4. Paragraphs are like Hamburgers
Bun: Claim and Concluding Sentence
Meat: Data (extra details, examples, personal stories, quotations, statistics)
Condiments/Extras (aka the good stuff): Warrants
Picture Source:

5. Claim
A statement of the paragraph’s main idea and your position on the issue.
Should summarize the ideas you will talk about in the paragraph
Must be a statement that can be supported by details and other evidence

6. Unity and Organization
Your paragraph should discuss one main idea. Your claim should introduce it, and your data and warrants should develop that idea.
Your paragraph should be organized in a logical order.
Chronological
Importance
You should use transitions to make your ideas flow.

7. Data and Warrants Data Warrants The evidence that supports your claim
Specific examples or instances
Quotations
Facts
Personal Experience
Interprets the data and shows how it supports your claim
Interpret the facts
Logical
Answers the questions: So what?

8. Transitions
Transitions improve your sentence organization and improve the connections between your thoughts. They indicate relationships between your ideas.
Types of Transitions:
Addition
Also, again, as well as, similarly
Emphasis
Above all, especially, particularly
Sequence
At first, next, later on, then, soon, while, afterward
Summary
After all, in summary, finally

9. Concluding Sentence This sentence signals the end of the paragraph.
Your concluding sentence should summarize the ideas in your paragraph; it should NOT be worded like your claim.
Your concluding sentence should add on to your ideas.
When you are writing more than one paragraph, the last sentence can also be a transition sentence into your next idea.