1. The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic.

2. The Topic Sentence
The main idea of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called the topic sentence.

3. The rest of the paragraph consists of supporting sentences that develop the main idea.
Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours continue to prove that they are the most indestructible of pests.
concluding
sentence

4. Supporting Sentences Sensory details, with our senses, can provide
or what we experience
with our senses,
can provide
support.
Facts and Examples
are excellent
supporting sentences.
Supporting sentences contain details that elaborate, explain, or prove a paragraph’s main idea.

5. Unity in the Paragraph main idea
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence. This is called unity.
main idea
sentence
sentence
sentence
sentence

6. The concluding sentence
Restates the topic sentence in different words.
Emphasizes the point made in the paragraph.

7. Coherence
The reader can tell how and why supporting ideas are organized; ideas flow nicely from one to the next.
Organizational structure and transition create coherence.

8. Organizational Structures
Chronological: in order in which they happened.
Spatial: in order of location (often in descriptive writing)
Order of Importance: least to most important or most to least important (often in persuasive writing)

9. Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph
Full List of Transition Words on Page 688
chronological order
first
meanwhile
later
afterwards
finally
objects in relation to one another
next to
in front of
beside
between
behind
in order of importance
however
furthermore
as a result
in fact
yet

10. Types of Paragraphs The narrative paragraph The persuasive paragraph.
tells a story
The persuasive paragraph.
tries to convince the audience
The descriptive paragraph
describes something
The expository or explanatory paragraph
gives information or explains something