1. HOW TO DEVELOP IDEAS IN PARAGRAPHS
Bilgi Writing and Learning Center

2. So what does it mean to develop an idea?
As a writer, you need well-developed ideas in the essay’s body paragraphs.
When the ideas are not developed enough, students get poor grades
So what does it mean to develop an idea?

3. You develop an idea by:
supporting it,
discussing its significance,
showing how it connects to the rest of your essay and thesis statement.
If you can do all three of these things, it will not be difficult for you to write strong, well-developed paragraphs.

4. To write a well-developed paragraph, follow the steps below.
1. What is the main idea of the paragraph? Write it as a complete sentence. This will be your topic sentence.
2. Support your main idea with at least one example.
3. Explain how your examples relate to your main idea.
4. Explain how your main idea supports your thesis.

5. “What do all of these mean?”
3 Things Make a Good Paragraph:
Unity
Coherence
Elaboration
“What do all of these mean?”

6. “What does unity mean to you?”
When a paragraph has unity, all the sentences relate directly to the main idea.
If there is a sentence off topic at all, this begins to create confusion for your reader.
Use only the most
important details!

7. “What does coherence mean to you?”
Order details in a logical way
A coherent paragraph is one in which all of the sentences fit together.
When a paragraph has coherence, your reader can easily follow your writing.
2. Show a connection by using transitional words.

8. Some transitional words

10. so your reader can get a clear picture of what you mean
Elaboration
GIVING MORE DETAILS
so your reader can get a clear picture of what you mean