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Paragraphing Cues

A paragraph is a collection of sentences that pertain to a particular topic. A paragraph has four basic parts: topic sentence, supporting details, sub-details, and a concluding or transitional sentence.

The topic of the paragraph is expressed in the topic sentence which is generally (always for our purposes) the first sentence of the paragraph. The topic sentence is a general statement of the paragraph topic that directly supports the thesis statement; they are the “bones” of the paragraph.

Consider we’re writing an essay about the perks of the Tidewater area. (recalling what you learned about topics / thesis statements, our topic sentences for this topic should explain the perks of the Tidewater area.)

One of our topic sentences may be: The Tidewater area is a great tourist spot. Notice how “general” the sentence is; it does not reveal any detail. So how do we figure out what to add?

We look at the topic sentence to develop Supporting Details, which are the “meat on the bone.” They support the topic sentences by offering clarifying information. Since the supporting details clarify the topic sentences, they also indirectly support and clarify the thesis. We need to ask ourselves “why is the Tidewater area is a great tourist spot”? Because…..

The peninsula and southside offer a variety of entertainment possibilities.

Southern hospitality is abundant.

Lodging opportunities are virtually limitless.

So far our “paragraph” looks like this:

The Tidewater area is a great tourist spot. The peninsula and southside offer a variety of entertainment possibilities. Southern hospitality is abundant. Lodging opportunities are virtually limitless.

However, we (hypothetically) have to write a four page typed essay so we know that a four sentence paragraph won’t suffice (plus Ms. Hebert has already told students a good, well-developed paragraph is 10 – 15 sentences long). What do we do?

Evaluate each supporting detail and develop sub-details that clarify and support each detail.

The peninsula and southside offer a variety of entertainment possibilities. We need to clarify what type of entertainment possibilities are available…. Each area offers clubs and nightlife entertainment for all tastes. Theme parks are numerous. The area is rich with historical significance.

This process should be completed for each of the supporting details we developed.

So far our “paragraph” looks like this:

The Tidewater area is a great tourist spot. The peninsula and southside offer a variety of entertainment possibilities. Each area offers clubs and nightlife entertainment for all tastes. Theme parks are numerous. The area is rich with historical significance. Southern hospitality is abundant. Lodging opportunities are virtually limitless.

Notice that our reader still doesn’t know any specifics about the area’s entertainment possibilities. This means that we need to develop even more subdetails in order to compose a well-developed paragraph. Each of the subdetails created above need clarifying information.

Each area offers clubs and nightlife entertainment for all tastes. Not only are there dance clubs and bars, there are also concert halls and venues. Theme parks are numerous. The peninsula and southside offer traditional theme parks that have roller coasters and also go-cart parks. The peninsula is home to the “world’s most beautiful theme park”: Busch Gardens. The area is rich with historical significance. America was founded at Jamestown and historical battles were fought throughout the area.

Now our paragraph looks like this:

The Tidewater area is a great tourist spot. The peninsula and southside offer a variety of entertainment possibilities. Each area offers clubs and nightlife entertainment for all tastes. Not only are there dance clubs and bars, there are also concert halls and venues. Theme parks are numerous. The peninsula and southside offer traditional theme parks that have roller coasters and also go-cart parks. The peninsula is home to the “world’s most beautiful theme park”: Busch Gardens. The area is rich with historical significance. America was founded at Jamestown and historical battles were fought throughout the area. Southern hospitality is abundant. Lodging opportunities are virtually limitless.

If we were to develop our remaining details as we did the first detail, we would have a well-developed and focused paragraph.

Last (but not least) is the concluding or transitional sentence which (as the name suggests) either concludes the paragraph or transitions to the next paragraph. In our example a concluding sentence may perhaps be: Each of these characteristics makes the Tidewater area an ideal vacation spot. If the “essay” were to continue to another paragraph, an example transitional sentence would be: While these characteristics are enticing, the Tidewater area offers even more perks.