Topic Sentences and Paragraph Development Kayla Skarbakka Writing Instructor Coordinator of International Writing Instruction and Support Walden University Writing Center

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Session Overview Central Question: What makes a successful paragraph? Paragraph structure Examples Techniques and resources Q&A

Paragraph Structure

The Paragraph As a unit of a longer paper, a paragraph is typically: Indented At least three sentences long Not so long that it spans multiple pages An investigation of one idea

A Visual to Remember A paragraph is like a house for an idea. Foundation = Topic sentence Roof = Wrap-up Roof = Wrap-up Walls = Detail 1 Windows = Detail 2 Furnishings = Detail 3

Let’s Build Establishes the focus of the paragraph (that one main idea) Is clear and concise Is typically the first sentence of the paragraph Should be your own scholarly voice Should directly relate to thesis statement 1. Topic Sentence (the foundation)

Let’s Build Ask yourself: Is the topic sentence too narrow that I cannot spend three sentences illustrating, explaining, or analyzing? Is the topic sentence so broad that I need whole pages to fully develop the idea? 1. Topic Sentence (the foundation)

Let’s Build Example topic sentence: Emotional intelligence helps students cope with the stress of learning, interacting with others, and resolving conflict. The rest of the paragraph should (a) convince the reader that emotional intelligence helps in this way and (b) cover all three areas— learning, interaction, and conflict.

Let’s Build Ineffective Topic Sentence: Too Broad As a teacher, I employ many different strategies. First, I explained to my students the difference between the words affect and effect. Then we read sample sentences together and corrected the use of these words. Finally, I asked the students to write their own sentences using affect and effect appropriately.

Let’s Build Ineffective Topic Sentence: Direct Quotation Johnson (2010) stated that “instructional scaffolding can lead to deeper learning” (p. 45). First, I explained to my students the difference between the words affect and effect. Then we read sample sentences together and corrected the use of these words. Finally, I asked the students to write their own sentences using affect and effect appropriately.

Let’s Build Effective Topic Sentence In a recent lesson in my composition class, I used instructional scaffolding to help my students differentiate between the commonly confused words affect and effect. First, I explained to my students the difference between the words affect and effect. Then we read sample sentences together and corrected the use of these words. Finally, I asked the students to write their own sentences using affect and effect appropriately.

Let’s Build Come in the form of evidence and analysis Evidence: Paraphrased or quoted material from scholarly sources – Statistics and data – Study findings 2. Supporting Details (walls, windows, etc.)

Let’s Build Evidence Example: Johnson’s (2010) study in a composition classroom revealed that students whose teacher used scaffolding strategies scored an average of 5 percentage points higher on their final essays than their peers in a lecture-based classroom. Hmm… Is 5 percentage points significant? What are the larger implications of Johnson’s finding?

Let’s Build Analysis: Your interpretation or explanation of the evidence. How the evidence relates to the overall point or claim you are making.

Let’s Build Evidence-Analysis Example: Johnson’s (2010) study in a composition classroom revealed that students whose teacher used scaffolding strategies scored an average of 5 percentage points higher on their final essays than their peers in a lecture-based classroom. This significant difference in scores suggests that scaffolding enables students not only to understand a concept, but also to apply that concept in their own work.

Let’s Build Concludes the central idea Prepares reader to move on to another connected idea (next paragraph) Steps back and gives big-picture perspective Is in your own voice 3. Wrap-Up or Closing (Roof)

Let’s Build Ask yourself: What do I want my readers to think about the idea I’ve presented here? Have I offered closure? 3. Wrap-Up or Closing (Roof)

Let’s Build Instructional scaffolding is one strategy for increasing student understanding and learning. Johnson’s (2010) study in a composition classroom revealed that students whose teacher used scaffolding strategies scored an average of 5 percentage points higher on their final essays than their peers in a lecture-based classroom. This significant difference in scores suggests that scaffolding enables students not only to understand a concept, but also to apply that concept in their own work. No Wrap-Up Statement

Let’s Build Instructional scaffolding is one strategy for increasing student understanding and learning. Johnson’s (2010) study in a composition classroom revealed that students whose teacher used scaffolding strategies scored an average of 5 percentage points higher on their final essays than their peers in a lecture-based classroom. This significant difference in scores suggests that scaffolding enables students not only to understand a concept, but also to apply that concept in their own work. Teachers, therefore, should employee scaffolding strategies to help foster independence and confidence in their students. With Wrap-Up Statement

Example Paragraphs

Remember the House Foundation = Topic sentence Roof = Wrap-up Roof = Wrap-up Walls = Detail 1 Windows = Detail 2 Furnishings = Detail 3

Another Model MEAL Plan M=Main idea E =Evidence A =Analysis L =Lead-out or Link (Duke University’s Thompson Writing Program, n.d.)

Paragraph to Avoid Chain Link Fence Paragraph Tabloid Paragraph WriteCast: Episode 3 Fruit Salad Paragraph Derailed Train Paragraph

Chain Link Fence Small business owners can develop a Facebook business page to establish an online presence with thousands of potential customers at low cost (Geho & Dangelo, 2012, p. 64). For small business owners, online advertising poses some concerns, including low returns and the possibility of losing customers who use the Internet to compare prices of the same product available at different online outlets (Song & Li, 2011, p. 21).

Chain Link Fence Revision Small business owners should consider how to make online advertising work to their advantage. For example, they can develop a Facebook business page to establish an online presence with thousands of potential customers at low cost (Geho & Dangelo, 2012, p. 64). Although the Internet can be a boon for small business owners who want to reach more customers, however, it has drawbacks, too. Online advertising poses some concerns, including low returns and the possibility of losing customers who use the Internet to compare prices of the same product available at different online outlets (Song & Li, 2011, p. 21). Entrepreneurs, especially those in small businesses with less capital and greater local presence, should develop a strategic plan to build on the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of online advertising.

Tabloid I believe that Facebook is great for new businesses. My uncle started a new restaurant in Flagstaff last spring, and he said that advertising on Facebook really helped him build his business. I don’t know how anyone could think about starting a business without using Facebook or other social media platforms.

Tabloid Revision Facebook provides entrepreneurs with two key benefits. First of all, Facebook provides a free way for businesses to advertise and develop their brand (Peters, 2008). Facebook also allows business owners to reach a broader audience than traditional advertising on television and radio; thoughtful and targeted use of Facebook results in an average audience growth of 10-20% (Wilson, 2010), a significant increase especially for new businesses. While entrepreneurs cannot expect social media to do all their advertising for them (Rodriguez, 2009), Facebook can prove to be an essential component of a new business’s platform.

Fruit Salad “Transformational leaders respond to individual followers’ needs by empowering them.” (Bass & Riggio, 2006, p. 3). Transformational leaders have multifaceted and multidirectional roles in organizations indicative of the many challenges they face. First, they must design human resources to be consistent with the organization’s goals. They have to match followers with roles, determine the best way to measure performance, and allow followers room to grow.

Fruit Salad Revision Transformational leaders have multifaceted and multidirectional roles in organizations indicative of the many challenges they face. First, they must design human resources to be consistent with the organization’s goals. To do so, they match followers with roles, determine the best way to measure performance, and allow followers room to grow. At the same time, “transformational leaders respond to individual followers’ needs by empowering them” (Bass & Riggio, 2006, p. 3). In this way, transformational leaders serve both the organization and the individual.

Derailed Train Accommodation and avoidance are two short-term strategies for conflict. Vicar (2005) noted that such solutions give immediate relief but ultimately lead to dissatisfaction. Further research indicates that accommodation tactics may end in resentment and disharmony in the work environment (Manion, 2005, p. 197). More so than accommodation, avoidance can hinder worker productivity (Peterson & Owens, 2010). The stereotypical nurse persona of caregiver and nurturer puts nurses at a disadvantage for conflict resolution.

Derailed Train Revision Accommodation and avoidance are two short-term strategies for conflict. Vicar (2005) noted that such solutions give immediate relief but ultimately lead to dissatisfaction. Further research indicates that accommodation tactics may end in resentment and disharmony in the work environment (Manion, 2005, p. 197). More so than accommodation, avoidance can hinder worker productivity (Peterson & Owens, 2010). In order to resolve conflict, then, employees should investigate other more successful strategies.

Strategies and Resources

Evaluate Your Paragraphs M=Main idea E =Evidence A =Analysis L =Lead-out or Link Highlight each element in a different color, to see a visual.

Outline To form a rough guide for the paper’s overall structure: Jot down main ideas or points you want to make Order those points logically and naturally – What does the reader need to know first, then second? – Is each point related to the point before and after? Expand those points to become your paragraphs.

Length Fixes Long: Read through and mark the spot(s) where you see a shift in topic or focus Start your next paragraph there Short: Combine two short paragraphs with similar ideas Write a new topic sentence that covers both

Additional Tips Paragraphs: Topic Sentences: Evidence and Analysis: Read Aloud

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