Paragraphs

Paragraphs are the building blocks of good academic writing. They are usually noticed by readers when they are written badly – too long, not coherent or cohesive. While there is no one correct way to write a paragraph, there are a few guidelines that can help if you lack confidence here.

In academic English, paragraphs typically:

• Have one main idea or claim that is clearly stated in the opening sentence (the topic sentence)
• Include subsequent sentences which elaborate on, offer evidence for and analyse key ideas
• Move from the general to the more specific
• Move from the known to the new
• Employ effective transitions between sentences to establish logic
• Have a final sentence which consolidates the main points

This patterning is sometimes referred to by the mnemonic TEEAL (Topic sentence, elaboration, evidence, analysis, link).

If paragraphs are too long, it is often a sign of poor structure and lack of clarity in thought.

You can find more examples of how these things work in paragraphs at Achieve@Uni