5 easy steps to writing a wellstructured paragraph

5 easy steps to writing a well-structured paragraph

1. State the main idea in one sentence � Make it clear what your main point is! � This is the topic sentence of your paragraph

2. Give background information � Supply any information to the reader will need in order to understand your point � Assume your audience doesn’t know what you’re talking about! Give them enough details so they understand the main idea. � Don’t get too lengthy! This should be done in 1 -2 sentences!

3. Present the evidence: offer support for your main idea � This could take the form of prior knowledge OR textual support OR both! � If you’re quoting a text, introduce it! ◦ For example: �Cevallos states in his article, “But the law—international and domestic—is full of grim irony. ”

4. Explain your evidence! � Why does this evidence matter? � How does it support the point you made at the beginning of the paragraph? � If you use a quote… ◦ Never let a quote just stand on its own! You have to explain it in your own words. This shows your ability to analyze the information you read

5. Develop your idea � Having explored and explained your evidence, you can now say something more and new about the point you began with. ◦ Not just what you think, but WHY you think it � This will take your reader further into your thinking about your topic. � Imagine this: you’re writing for a smart reader who took this class 2 years ago. Such a reader would not need to be told everything—but would need reminding about the key details you’re dealing with!

Now that you know the steps… � Write ◦ ◦ a paragraph explaining… What your favorite TV show is What your favorite musical group is What your favorite book is Some other topic that is important to you � Write one paragraph, no fewer than five sentences � As you go through the steps to write your paragraph, label each sentenced with a numbered step. That will show me that you understand this process.