1. Essay Paragraph Structure

2. Paragraph structure in an essay is slightly different from a single paragraph. Let’s take a look at paragraph one from the sample essay.

3. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is thinking positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is good example of a positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stopping. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, which was to own his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software company in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

4. Topic Sentence
a. Highlight or underline words or phrases that match words and phrases in the thesis. b. What is the topic of this paragraph? (topic sentence)

5. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software company in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

6. Explain the Topic Sentence
Give a short explanation of your definition or general idea about the meaning of the topic sentence. Which sentence explains the topic sentence? Put L2 next to it.

7. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software company in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

8. Give Specific Evidence
Use specific examples, details, statistics or other ideas that SHOW the reader that your topic sentence is true. Which sentences give specific examples or details about the topic sentence? Write L3 next to them.

9. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

10. Interpret the Evidence
TELL the readers how the evidence proves the topic sentence. Tell them what you want them to learn from the evidence. Use GUIDING language such as “This means…” “This shows…” “This example is important because…” and other ways or words or phrases that repeat the words or phrases in the topic sentence. Which sentence tells the reader why the evidence supports the topic sentence? Write L3 next to it.

11. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software company in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

12. Closing sentence/Bridge
Use a sentence that shows the reader that your paragraph is complete. It can be a restatement of the topic sentence and/or it can be a bridge to the next paragraph. What does the concluding sentence tell us and how does it connect to the next paragraph?

13. Thesis: There are three qualities necessary for academic success: thinking positively, being active and involved and not giving up.
The most important thing students need to be academically successful is think positively. Every behavior and conduct is from each person’s mind, and that reflects an individual’s mental attitudes. Bill Gates is perfect example for positive mind. Bill Gates spent many hours programming without stop. He said it was his obsession, but he was just a passionate person for his goal, owning his own computer company. Clearly his positive way of thinking were factors in creating his company and making it the most successful computer software company in the world. Through his example university students can learn that if they have specific goals in mind and have a passion for it, they can keep a positive attitude when faced with difficulties. This can lead to academic success. Having a positive mind, however, is only one factor in academic success.

14. Review: A strong essay paragraph has:
1. Topic sentence with language that connects it to the thesis 2. Explanation of the topic sentence 3. Evidence (stories, surveys, expert opinion, etc.) 4. Interpretation of how the evidence supports the main idea. 5. Concluding sentence 6. Bridge to the next paragraph or from the previous paragraph: This can be part of the closing sentence or part of the next topic sentence.

15. Task:
In body paragraphs 2 and 3, identify the elements that make a strong paragraph.