In essays and short answer questions, information about a topic is written in paragraph form. While there can be variations in the form of a paragraph, its structure follows a particular pattern (recipe) that you can apply to your writing tasks.
About the function of a paragraph
The paragraph is the basic unit for organising information in your writing. You use paragraphs to structure information in all of your exam and assignment essays and short answer questions. If you write well-constructed paragraphs, then the reader/marker will be able to understand what it is that you are trying to explain. If you write poorly constructed paragraphs, then the marker has to go on a ‘treasure hunt’ to find information—the perfect recipe for losing those valuable marks.
The structure of a paragraph
A paragraph has a distinct pattern that you can use to structure your writing. It is made up of a group of sentences that contribute to developing ONE main idea.
Roll your mouse over the sentence types found in a paragraph in the box below.
Read the following paragraph. Then, CLICK on the paragraph label and DRAG it to the correct part of this paragraph.
The topic sentence is missing from this paragraph. Read the rest of the paragraph and think of a suitable topic sentence.
A short paragraph can be about four sentences long as you only need a few facts (evidence) to support your argument. If you are developing a complex idea or argument, then your paragraph may be longer. For example, a long paragraph could have up to ten sentences. Therefore, you should aim to write paragraphs that are between four and ten sentences in length.
Which of the following would be the best topic sentence for the above paragraph?
incorrect.
incorrect.
may vary.
Correct!
incorrect.
When you develop some understandings about paragraph structure, you will be able to EDIT your paragraphs to make sure that they are following the rules. See if you can work out why the following paragraphs are correctly or incorrectly written.
1
All students need to know how to write a good paragraph.
However, not all students know how to master this skill when they begin university studies.
Poor paragraph writing can result in lowered marks in assignment tasks and exams because markers are unable to interpret students’ answers.
As academic success is so dependent on mastery of writing skills, students need to learn this skill as quickly as possible.
Comment on the above paragraph
incorrect.
Correct!
incorrect.
2
All students need to know how to write a good paragraph. The main parts of a paragraph are topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentence. Students may receive lower marks for poorly constructed paragraphs. Paragraphs in Law essays are different from paragraphs in other subject areas.
Comment on the above paragraph
Correct!
incorrect.
incorrect.
3
All students need to know how to write a good paragraph. However, not all students know how to master this skill when they begin university studies. Poor paragraph writing can result in lowered marks in assignment tasks and exams because markers are unable to interpret students’ answers. As academic success is so dependent on mastery of writing skills, students need to learn this skill as quickly as possible.
Comment on the above paragraph
incorrect.
incorrect.
Correct!
Five easy steps to paragraph writing
Every paragraph you write in your essay is worth marks, so put an effort into each and every paragraph.
Click on the following steps for the details.
This is the best starting point. The general topic for your paragraph should come from your essay plan. Remember that the topic sentence is a summary of the whole paragraph and generally does not have a reference.
Once you have written the topic sentence, you need to gather information to support what you have stated. Try brainstorming. In a list, jot down everything (facts, details, examples, reasons, diagrams, pictures) that relates to the topic sentence. (TIP: try sticky Post-its)
Brainstorming usually gives you too much information (about 100-200 words for good-sized paragraphs), so the next step is to cut out irrelevant information and combine like ideas. Then, use numbers to arrange the order of your ideas. This ordering is where you get your paragraph to flow (logical sequence), so it is an essential step.
Once you have your topic sentence and your ideas sorted out, you can attempt to write up your paragraph. Edit for sense and flow as you revise each sentence. Look at your transitional word list and signal phrases to help you find the right connecting words within and between sentences. Write a concluding sentence if it helps the paragraph feel complete.
Now that you’ve created a well-put-together paragraph, don’t stop there! You will lose marks if your writing has literacy errors. Check your sentences, grammar, punctuation and spelling. Computer grammar and spelling checkers will only partially do the job. If you experience literacy difficulties try the information in the ASO factsheets: Academic Writing.
