How to Write a Paragraph Tampa FL

Steps

1. Determine the purpose of your paragraph. This is the most important part. Your paragraph should communicate what you wish to say.
   • What topic are you discussing?
   • Who is the audience for your paragraph? What do they need to know and what do they already know?
   • Why are you writing? Are you telling a story, giving instructions, arguing a point? If you're making a point, state the point explicitly and prominently where it will get noticed as a point: either near the beginning or at the very end.
2. Start your paragraph with the main idea. Asking a question is a good way to draw readers in. For example, the first line of the summary above starts with a question. You may also start with a general statement and give details to back it up or expand on the point. The main idea could be stated using one of the four types of sentences.
   • Hint that you have an answer to the question and invite the reader to carry on reading. Depending on the writing, the opening paragraph may be a "teaser" designed not give away too much information.
   • By contrast, the first paragraph of a well-written newspaper article will almost always give a concise summary of the basic facts of the story.
3. Develop the idea further in the next few sentences. Go into more detail on one or two aspects mentioned in the opening paragraph. Try not to cover more than one or two main ideas in each paragraph.
4. As you continue writing, address each new idea or group of ideas in a new paragraph. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence and build it with supporting sentences.
5. Use transition words to show the relationship of different ideas in your writing. For instance, this sentence begins with words that indicate that it is an example. Transition words can help you compare and contrast, show sequence, show cause and effect, highlight important ideas, and progress smoothly from one idea to the next. See the external links for a list of these helpful words.
6. Vary the structure of your sentences. If the last four sentences started with "I", see if you can rephrase them.
7. Tie together any loose ends in a final, concluding paragraph.
8. Reread and proofread your writing. Change it if it does not say what you intended.
9. Practice! Like any process, writing paragraphs gets easier as you do more of it.

Tips

• There are no hard-and-fast rules for how long a paragraph should be. Instead, make sure there are natural breaks. Each paragraph should contain one main idea and whatever writing supports it.
• If a paragraph looks like it is getting too long, you may wish to rephrase it or simply separate the paragraph into two new ones.
• The most important thing to remember is your essay or article is already interesting to you. Let your interest shine through in your writing.
• Adjust your writing to its purpose. Just as you wear different clothes for different occasions and different climates, you should write in a style that suits your aim.
• As important as writing the parts that are important is leaving out things that are not related. If it does not fit or is not relevant, leave it out.
• Spelling and grammatical errors can detract from even the most well-planned writing. Use a spell-checker or ask someone to read your work if you are unsure about anything.
• Notice when you are reading how paragraphs are divided. If you learn what a paragraph is by experience, you can divide writing in appropriate parts by feel.
• Format your paragraphs appropriately and consistently. You may indent the first line of each paragraph or leave a blank line between one paragraph and the next. Whichever you choose, be consistent.
• If you are writing a conversation, start a new paragraph each time somebody else speaks.

Warnings

• Don't wait until the last minute if this is for a school assignment.

Things You'll Need

• paper
• pencil

Sources and Citations

• A list of words and phrases that act transitions.

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