Paragraph Writing
A paragraph is the building block of all writing. Mastering the paragraph gives you the skills to write essays, reports, and stories throughout school and beyond.
The Three-Part Paragraph
Every strong paragraph has three parts:
- Topic Sentence — states the main idea of the paragraph
- Supporting Details — facts, examples, or reasons that develop the idea
- Concluding Sentence — wraps up the paragraph and restates the idea in new words
Example Paragraph
"Dogs make excellent pets for families." [topic sentence] They are loyal, loving, and easy to train. Studies show that children who grow up with dogs have lower stress levels and learn responsibility. Most breeds also enjoy playing, which keeps kids active. [supporting details] For all these reasons, a dog is one of the best companions a family can have." [concluding sentence]
Writing a Strong Topic Sentence
A good topic sentence is specific enough to give focus but broad enough to cover the whole paragraph.
| Weak | Strong |
|---|---|
| "Dogs are nice." | "Dogs make loyal and loving companions for people of all ages." |
| "I will write about soccer." | "Soccer builds teamwork skills and physical fitness in young athletes." |
| "Summer is good." | "Summer provides students with valuable opportunities to explore new interests." |
Avoid starting with "I think…" or "In this paragraph I will…" — just state the idea directly.
Adding Strong Details
Details must support the topic sentence — never go off topic. Use the TEXAS method:
- Topic sentence
- Example or Evidence
- X-plain the evidence
- Another example
- Sum it up (concluding sentence)
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned. Choose the best answer for each question.