Five Step Approach To Paragraph Development
When building a paragraph that adequately develops an idea from start to finish, use these five steps.
- Decide on a central idea. Figure out the main controlling idea for the paragraph, then capture it in a topic sentence. Use it as the first line in your paragraph, from which the rest of the discussion ensues.
- Explain the central idea. After stating your central theme in the topic sentence, use the next one to explain how you want the reader to interpret it, detailing your thinking with regards to the topic.
- Use an example or present an evidence. This supports any opinion about the central idea you expressed in the second step, pushing your argument forward.
- Explain the evidence. Presenting evidence is not enough – you’ll need to explain your interpretation of it, as it relates with the issues of your central idea. Continue repeating #3 and #4 as necessary, adding more evidence when it’s warranted.
- Conclude the central idea and transition to the next paragraph. Summarize your evidence and interpretation, tying up any loose ends, to sufficiently close the paragraph. Then, use transition instruments to help the reader move to the next paragraph.
As always, even the best-developed paragraphs will benefit from using the help of a grammar assistant software. Make sure to use one, lest risk allowing errors and mistakes to slip through.