restate position
first, second, third, another, next, last, finally, because, since, for
but, however, of course, nevertheless, although, despite
therefore, as a result, in conclusion, thus
Group separate items together according to shared characteristics.
This paragraph structure can be used to organise information, items, or ideas into categories. The organisation of information will depend on your purpose and subject area.
|
Introduce the items being classified and/or the categories for classification |
provide more information about the items, and how their characteristics fit into a particular category | |
| |
Can be divided, can be classified, can be categorised the first/second/third |
Used for examination of similarities and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences.
Use this paragraph structure if you need to examine similarities and differences. This paragraph structure is useful for literature reviews and reports.
| |
| |
| |
similar to, similarly, in the same way, like, equally, again, also, too in contrast, on the other hand, different from, whereas, while, unlike, but, although, however, conversely, yet, unlike |
Start with a simple definition in the first or topic sentence. Use support sentences for examples, description and explanation.
Use this paragraph structure when you need to define a concept, and demonstrate an understanding of how it relates to a particular context or discipline. |
provide a simple definition of a concept |
provide more information through description, explanation, and examples; makes links between the concept and how it applies to a particular context or field | |
| |
for example, for instance, an illustration of this, another example, firstly, the first step, secondly, the second step, finally, the final step |
Includes specific details of the most important features of the topic.
Use this paragraph structure if you are asked to provide information about something. |
introduce the item to be described |
provide specific and detailed information about the item’s characteristics and functions | |
| |
In the foreground, in the middle distance, in the background, in the far distance, next to, near, up, down, between, beneath, above, below, on top of, beneath, left/right, centre, front, back, middle, in the interior, on the exterior, on the inside, on the outside, surrounding |
Used to explain how something works, or how something happens.
Use this paragraph structure if you need to explain how something works or the steps in a process.
| introduce what will be explained |
explain each of the steps involved in the process, in the order that the steps are to be performed. Includes information about how something happens and why | |
provide a brief summary of the process | |
At first, initially, the first step, while, at the same time, the second/third/next step, after, next, finally, eventually, the final/last step. |
Uses specific examples to clarify and support a general statement.
Use this paragraph structure when you need to clarify a particular idea by offering specific examples and showing how they relate to your main point. |
state a general idea |
introduce examples to support the idea | |
| |
For example, for instance, an illustration of this, another example |
Adapted from a resource previously published by the University of New England
This handout will help you understand how paragraphs are formed, how to develop stronger paragraphs, and how to completely and clearly express your ideas.
Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116). Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea. In this handout, we will refer to this as the “controlling idea,” because it controls what happens in the rest of the paragraph.
Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must first decide on an argument and a working thesis statement for your paper. What is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader? The information in each paragraph must be related to that idea. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your thesis and the information in each paragraph. A working thesis functions like a seed from which your paper, and your ideas, will grow. The whole process is an organic one—a natural progression from a seed to a full-blown paper where there are direct, familial relationships between all of the ideas in the paper.
The decision about what to put into your paragraphs begins with the germination of a seed of ideas; this “germination process” is better known as brainstorming . There are many techniques for brainstorming; whichever one you choose, this stage of paragraph development cannot be skipped. Building paragraphs can be like building a skyscraper: there must be a well-planned foundation that supports what you are building. Any cracks, inconsistencies, or other corruptions of the foundation can cause your whole paper to crumble.
So, let’s suppose that you have done some brainstorming to develop your thesis. What else should you keep in mind as you begin to create paragraphs? Every paragraph in a paper should be :
There are many different ways to organize a paragraph. The organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the paragraph. Below are a few possibilities for organization, with links to brief examples:
From the list above, let’s choose “illustration” as our rhetorical purpose. We’ll walk through a 5-step process for building a paragraph that illustrates a point in an argument. For each step there is an explanation and example. Our example paragraph will be about human misconceptions of piranhas.
Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph’s controlling idea.
Controlling idea and topic sentence — Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans.
Paragraph development continues with an elaboration on the controlling idea, perhaps with an explanation, implication, or statement about significance. Our example offers a possible explanation for the pervasiveness of the myth.
Elaboration — This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media.
Paragraph development progresses with an example (or more) that illustrates the claims made in the previous sentences.
Example — For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman.
The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence. The explanation should demonstrate the value of the example as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.
Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples that the writer deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence.
Explanation for example — Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear.
Notice that the example and explanation steps of this 5-step process (steps 3 and 4) can be repeated as needed. The idea is that you continue to use this pattern until you have completely developed the main idea of the paragraph.
The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information to the larger paper, or you can make a concluding point for this example. You might, however, simply transition to the next paragraph.
Sentences for completing a paragraph — While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.
Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans. This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media. For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman. Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear. While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.
Problem: the paragraph has no topic sentence.
Imagine each paragraph as a sandwich. The real content of the sandwich—the meat or other filling—is in the middle. It includes all the evidence you need to make the point. But it gets kind of messy to eat a sandwich without any bread. Your readers don’t know what to do with all the evidence you’ve given them. So, the top slice of bread (the first sentence of the paragraph) explains the topic (or controlling idea) of the paragraph. And, the bottom slice (the last sentence of the paragraph) tells the reader how the paragraph relates to the broader argument. In the original and revised paragraphs below, notice how a topic sentence expressing the controlling idea tells the reader the point of all the evidence.
Original paragraph
Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
Revised paragraph
Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
Once you have mastered the use of topic sentences, you may decide that the topic sentence for a particular paragraph really shouldn’t be the first sentence of the paragraph. This is fine—the topic sentence can actually go at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph; what’s important is that it is in there somewhere so that readers know what the main idea of the paragraph is and how it relates back to the thesis of your paper. Suppose that we wanted to start the piranha paragraph with a transition sentence—something that reminds the reader of what happened in the previous paragraph—rather than with the topic sentence. Let’s suppose that the previous paragraph was about all kinds of animals that people are afraid of, like sharks, snakes, and spiders. Our paragraph might look like this (the topic sentence is bold):
Like sharks, snakes, and spiders, piranhas are widely feared. Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless . Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.
If a paragraph has more than one main idea, consider eliminating sentences that relate to the second idea, or split the paragraph into two or more paragraphs, each with only one main idea. Watch our short video on reverse outlining to learn a quick way to test whether your paragraphs are unified. In the following paragraph, the final two sentences branch off into a different topic; so, the revised paragraph eliminates them and concludes with a sentence that reminds the reader of the paragraph’s main idea.
Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. A number of South American groups eat piranhas. They fry or grill the fish and then serve them with coconut milk or tucupi, a sauce made from fermented manioc juices.
You are probably familiar with the idea that transitions may be needed between paragraphs or sections in a paper (see our handout on transitions ). Sometimes they are also helpful within the body of a single paragraph. Within a paragraph, transitions are often single words or short phrases that help to establish relationships between ideas and to create a logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. This is especially likely to be true within paragraphs that discuss multiple examples. Let’s take a look at a version of our piranha paragraph that uses transitions to orient the reader:
Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, except in two main situations, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ instinct is to flee, not attack. But there are two situations in which a piranha bite is likely. The first is when a frightened piranha is lifted out of the water—for example, if it has been caught in a fishing net. The second is when the water level in pools where piranhas are living falls too low. A large number of fish may be trapped in a single pool, and if they are hungry, they may attack anything that enters the water.
In this example, you can see how the phrases “the first” and “the second” help the reader follow the organization of the ideas in the paragraph.
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Lunsford, Andrea. 2008. The St. Martin’s Handbook: Annotated Instructor’s Edition , 6th ed. New York: St. Martin’s.
Rosen, Leonard J., and Laurence Behrens. 2003. The Allyn & Bacon Handbook , 5th ed. New York: Longman.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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The four different are . These four types allow you to write about absolutely anything that you want! By understanding these different types of paragraphs and what they are used for, the English . Read on to learn more about these paragraphs and how you will use them. Many ESL students get nervous when it comes to writing in English. However, if you spend the time to learn the basics and become comfortable with the smaller parts of writing in English, the bigger parts become easier. For example, don’t stress about writing an essay in English. You can start smaller by focusing on just the paragraphs that make up an essay.
The descriptive paragraph describes something and shows the reader what a thing or a person is like. The words chosen in the description often appeal to the five senses of touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste. Descriptive paragraphs can be artistic and may deviate from grammatical norms. :This excerpt is taken from by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In this paragraph you can hear, see, and feel the setting in which the story takes place. When you practice writing a descriptive paragraph yourself, you should address all aspects of the physical world.
The narrative paragraph tells a story. There’s a sequence of action or there’s a clear beginning, middle, and end to the paragraph. :This opening paragraph from Barack Obama’s tell an interesting story about how a man entered the arena of politics. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end, and it raises the reader’s curiosity about what will happen next.
The expository paragraph explains something or provides instruction. It could also describe a process and move the reader step by step through a method. This type of paragraph often requires research, but it’s possible that the writer is able to rely on his or her own knowledge and expertise. :This paragraph from Reader’s Digest gives detailed information about how how the water moves through a toilet when it is flushed. It’s instructive, and if you like this kind of thing, it may even be interesting.
This type of paragraph tries to get the reader to accept a particular point of view or understand the writer’s position. This is the type of paragraph that many teachers focus on because it’s useful when building an argument. It often requires the collection of facts and research. :This is the paragraph that appeared on the page describing what a paragraph is. Your teacher wrote it. I have an opinion about a particular topic, and in this paragraph I want the reader to accept or consider my position. The persuasive paragraph is, perhaps, the most difficult to write but there is a good method I can show you in order to be successful in writing one.
In the next four lessons, we will take a closer look at each of these types of paragraphs, starting with what I consider to be the easiest: . Next: |
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The deadline for your essay is looming, but you're still not sure how to write your essay paragraphs or how to structure them. If that's you, then you're in good hands.
After the content of your essay, the structure is the most important part. How you arrange your thoughts in an essay can either support your argument or confuse the reader. The difference comes down to your knowledge of how to write a paragraph to create structure and flow in an essay.
At its most basic level, an essay paragraph comprises the following elements: (1) a topic sentence, (2) sentences that develop and support the topic sentence, and (3) a concluding sentence.
Also, when writing a paragraph or essay , keep in mind that most essays follow the five-paragraph model. This model involves writing an introductory paragraph, three paragraphs of supporting arguments, and a conclusion paragraph.
In most cases, a paper of this length just won't cut it. However, remembering this formula can help you write key paragraphs in your essay, such as an introduction that states the main hypothesis, a body that supports this argument, and a conclusion that ties everything together.
Let's break down how to write a paragraph so you can get that essay written.
Writing a paragraph means grouping together sentences that focus on the same topic so that the important points are easy to understand. In the body of an essay, each paragraph functions as its own point or argument that backs up the essay's main hypothesis. Each paragraph also includes evidence that supports each argument made.
It helps to separate each paragraph idea in a quick essay outline before you start writing your paragraphs so you can organize your thoughts. It is also helpful to link each paragraph in a cohesive way that supports your hypothesis. For good paragraph writing to work, your readers will need to be able to clearly follow the ideas you're presenting throughout your essay.
Essay paragraphs are important for organizing topics and thoughts and for creating readability and flow. Readers often skip large blocks of writing in blog posts, articles, or essays. It can be confusing when there are no breaks between different ideas or when thoughts flow one into the next without any discernible pauses. Knowing how to write a paragraph to help break up your content and ideas is essential for avoiding this.
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Writing a paragraph is easier when you follow a structure. An essay paragraph consists of around 250 words , with the sentence count varying from five to six or more, depending on the type of essay you're writing.
The structure of an essay paragraph includes the following:
Following this basic structure will ensure that you never have to wonder how to write a paragraph and will keep your essay structure consistent.
All good paragraph writing starts with a topic sentence. The topic sentence provides a brief summary of the content. In an essay's body, each paragraph begins with a topic sentence.
The topic sentence gives structure to a paragraph the same way a thesis gives structure to an essay. Both a thesis and a topic sentence state the main idea that drives the rest of the content. In the case of a paragraph, the topic sentence drives the rest of the paragraph content, and in the case of an essay, the thesis drives the rest of the essay content.
When writing a topic sentence, keep in mind that it should be
There are two parts to every topic sentence: the topic, which is what the paragraph will be about, and the controlling idea, which is the paragraph's direction. For example, if your paragraph was about hamsters being great pets, that would be your topic, but your controlling idea might be that there are many reasons why hamsters are great pets.
A paragraph example with a good topic sentence would start out something like this:
Hamsters are great pets for many reasons. They don't require extensive training, so no time-consuming obedience courses are necessary. They are also relatively inexpensive to own when compared to dogs or cats because they're low-maintenance.
A paragraph in an essay should always use an effective hook. If you're hoping to grab the attention of your reader, it helps to start your paragraph with a compelling statement or question that will be of interest.
Here are a few examples to use for inspiration:
Most people would rather work to live than live to work, and the gig economy makes this possible.
How important is it for today's influencers to rely on Instagram?
Daily sugar intake has reached a staggering average of 25 teaspoons per person in the United States.
Writing an essay paragraph is like building an effective and functional house. In the same way that each room has a purpose, each paragraph in your essay should have its own separate topic with supporting sentences . Paragraph writing can be simple if you think of it this way!
The goal of supporting sentences is to provide evidence validating each topic in your paragraph. Each sentence provides details to help your reader understand the paragraph's main idea.
If you have trouble coming up with supporting sentences to develop the main idea in your paragraph, try rephrasing your topic sentence as a question. For example, if you're writing about how all babies have three basic needs, ask, what are the three basic needs of all babies?
At the end of your supporting sentences, add a concluding sentence that ties everything to the main argument of your essay. Repeat this for each supporting argument, and you'll have mastered the concept of how to write a paragraph. Read on for a paragraph example with supporting sentences.
To get a feel for how to use supporting sentences in a paragraph in an essay, check out this basic example:
Babies have three basic needs. First, babies need food. Depending on their age, they'll drink formula for their first meals and graduate to soft baby food later. Second, they need shelter. Babies need a safe place to live. Third, they need support. They need someone loving to look out for them and take care of them.
Knowing how to write a paragraph involves knowing how to use transitions .
Good essay paragraphs have transitions that help ideas flow clearly from one to the next. Given that your essay will include many different ideas and subtopics, your transitions will ensure that your information and ideas are well connected.
If you're not familiar with transitions, they are words or phrases that connect ideas. They signal a connection between your topic sentence and your supporting sentences, but they also help readers connect ideas between paragraphs.
At the beginning of a sentence, use a transition to segue into a new idea. At the beginning of each paragraph, use a transition to signal a new concept or idea that you will discuss.
However, try to avoid one-word transitions at the beginning of a paragraph, like "Since" or "While," because they don't usually provide enough information. Instead, try using transitional phrases between paragraphs (instead of words), such as "On the other hand" or "In addition to."
Here are a few examples of transitions — both one-word transitions and transitional phrases — to use in the paragraphs of your essay:
Writing a paragraph in an essay can be simple if you understand basic paragraph structure. Additionally, it's helpful to keep in mind the structure of an essay and how each essay paragraph links together to form a fully developed argument or idea.
Creating an outline before you start writing your essay—which can also be described as a blueprint (to return to the metaphor of building a house)—is a great way to effectively arrange your topics, support your argument, and guide your writing.
Knowing how to write a paragraph is essential to communicating your thoughts and research, no matter the topic, in a way that is readable and coherent.
An essay paragraph can vary in length depending on a variety of factors, such as the essay's type, topic, or requirements. Generally, essay paragraphs are three to five or more sentences, since each paragraph should have a fully developed idea with a beginning, middle, and end.
However, all essays are different, and there are no hard and fast rules that dictate paragraph length. So, here are some guidelines to follow while writing a paragraph:
Overall, it's the paragraph writing itself that dictates a paragraph's length. Don't get too caught up in trying to reach a specific word count or number of sentences. Understanding this concept is key to knowing how to write a paragraph that conveys a clear and fully developed idea.
A new essay paragraph will always signal a new point or idea. Before you think about starting a new paragraph, ask yourself whether you are about to discuss something new that you haven't brought up yet. If the answer is yes, it warrants a new paragraph.
The end of a paragraph functions as a break for your reader. If you've successfully developed and concluded an idea, you'll know that it's time to begin a new paragraph, especially if the material is long or complex.
Every essay should have an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph. But as long as you keep in mind that good paragraph writing means starting off with a new idea each time, you're in a good position to know when a new paragraph should begin.
The number of paragraphs you write in an essay will largely depend on the requirements of the essay. These requirements are usually dictated by an instructor.
For a short, 1-page essay, your instructor might require only three paragraphs. For a longer, 2- to 3-page essay, you might need five paragraphs. For longer essays, there could be up to seven to nine paragraphs. Any essay with more paragraphs than that is usually deemed a thesis or a research paper.
At a minimum, an essay will always have at least three paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, a body paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph. Depending on the required word or page count or the type of essay (argumentative, informative, etc.), your essay could have multiple paragraphs expanding on different points. An argumentative essay, for example, should have at least five paragraphs.
Therefore, the most important question to ask when deciding on your number of essay paragraphs is this: What does my professor expect from me?
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The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.
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The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.
There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.
The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.
Part | Content |
---|---|
You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.
The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.
For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.
The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.
The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.
The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.
The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.
A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.
Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.
Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.
There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.
In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.
The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.
In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.
The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.
An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.
This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.
The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.
Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows. It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.
In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.
The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .
Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.
Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.
Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.
Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.
… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.
However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.
The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.
Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:
It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.
You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved June 28, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-structure/
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Writing an effective and impactful essay is crucial to your academic or professional success. Whether it’s getting into the college of your dreams or scoring high on a major assignment, writing a well-structured essay will help you achieve it all. But before you learn how to write an essay , you need to know its basic components.
In this article, we will understand what an essay is, how long it should be, and its different parts and types. We will also take a detailed look at relevant examples to better understand the essay structure.
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An essay is a concise piece of nonfiction writing that aims to either inform the reader about a topic or argue a particular perspective. It can either be formal or informal in nature. Most academic essays are highly formal, whereas informal essays are commonly found in journal entries, social media, or even blog posts.
As we can see from this essay definition, the beauty of essays lies in their versatility. From the exploration of complex scientific concepts to the history and evolution of everyday objects, they can cover a vast range of topics.
The length of an essay can vary from a few hundred to several thousand words but typically falls between 500–5,000 words. However, there are exceptions to this norm, such as Joan Didion and David Sedaris who have written entire books of essays.
Let’s take a look at the different types of essays and their lengths with the help of the following table:
Typically, an essay has five paragraphs: an introduction, a conclusion, and three body paragraphs. However, there is no set rule about the number of paragraphs in an essay.
The number of paragraphs can vary depending on the type and scope of your essay. An expository or argumentative essay may require more body paragraphs to include all the necessary information, whereas a narrative essay may need fewer.
To enhance the coherence and readability of your essay, it’s important to follow certain rules regarding the structure. Take a look:
1. Arrange your information from the most simple to the most complex bits. You can start the body paragraph off with a general statement and then move on to specifics.
2. Provide the necessary background information at the beginning of your essay to give the reader the context behind your thesis statement.
3. Select topic statements that provide value, more information, or evidence for your thesis statement.
There are also various essay structures , such as the compare and contrast structure, chronological structure, problem method solution structure, and signposting structure that you can follow to create an organized and impactful essay.
An impactful, well-structured essay comes down to three important parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion.
1. The introduction sets the stage for your essay and is typically a paragraph long. It should grab the reader’s attention and give them a clear idea of what your essay will be about.
2. The body is where you dive deeper into your topic and present your arguments and evidence. It usually consists of two paragraphs, but this can vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing.
3. The conclusion brings your essay to a close and is typically one paragraph long. It should summarize the main points of the essay and leave the reader with something to think about.
The length of your paragraphs can vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing. So, make sure you take the time to plan out your essay structure so each section flows smoothly into the next.
When it comes to writing an essay, the introduction is a critical component that sets the tone for the entire piece. A well-crafted introduction not only grabs the reader’s attention but also provides them with a clear understanding of what the essay is all about. An essay editor can help you achieve this, but it’s best to know the brief yourself!
Let’s take a look at how to write an attractive and informative introductory paragraph.
1. Construct an attractive hook
To grab the reader’s attention, an opening statement or hook is crucial. This can be achieved by incorporating a surprising statistic, a shocking fact, or an interesting anecdote into the beginning of your piece.
For example, if you’re writing an essay about water conservation you can begin your essay with, “Clean drinking water, a fundamental human need, remains out of reach for more than one billion people worldwide. It deprives them of a basic human right and jeopardizes their health and wellbeing.”
2. Provide sufficient context or background information
An effective introduction should begin with a brief description or background of your topic. This will help provide context and set the stage for your discussion.
For example, if you’re writing an essay about climate change, you start by describing the current state of the planet and the impact that human activity is having on it.
3. Construct a well-rounded and comprehensive thesis statement
A good introduction should also include the main message or thesis statement of your essay. This is the central argument that you’ll be making throughout the piece. It should be clear, concise, and ideally placed toward the end of the introduction.
By including these elements in your introduction, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the rest of your essay.
Let’s take a look at an example.
The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane in 1903 revolutionized the way humans travel and explore the world. Prior to this invention, transportation relied on trains, boats, and cars, which limited the distance and speed of travel. However, the airplane made air travel a reality, allowing people to reach far-off destinations in mere hours. This breakthrough paved the way for modern-day air travel, transforming the world into a smaller, more connected place. In this essay, we will explore the impact of the Wright Brothers’ invention on modern-day travel, including the growth of the aviation industry, increased accessibility of air travel to the general public, and the economic and cultural benefits of air travel.
You can persuade your readers and make your thesis statement compelling by providing evidence, examples, and logical reasoning. To write a fool-proof and authoritative essay, you need to provide multiple well-structured, substantial arguments.
Let’s take a look at how this can be done:
1. Write a topic sentence for each paragraph
The beginning of each of your body paragraphs should contain the main arguments that you’d like to address. They should provide ground for your thesis statement and make it well-rounded. You can arrange these arguments in several formats depending on the type of essay you’re writing.
2. Provide the supporting information
The next point of your body paragraph should provide supporting information to back up your main argument. Depending on the type of essay, you can elaborate on your main argument with the help of relevant statistics, key information, examples, or even personal anecdotes.
3. Analyze the supporting information
After providing relevant details and supporting information, it is important to analyze it and link it back to your main argument.
End one body paragraph with a smooth transition to the next. There are many ways in which this can be done, but the most common way is to give a gist of your main argument along with the supporting information with transitory words such as “however” “in addition to” “therefore”.
Here’s an example of a body paragraph.
The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane revolutionized air travel. They achieved the first-ever successful powered flight with the Wright Flyer in 1903, after years of conducting experiments and studying flight principles. Despite their first flight lasting only 12 seconds, it was a significant milestone that paved the way for modern aviation. The Wright Brothers’ success can be attributed to their systematic approach to problem-solving, which included numerous experiments with gliders, the development of a wind tunnel to test their designs, and meticulous analysis and recording of their results. Their dedication and ingenuity forever changed the way we travel, making modern aviation possible.
A powerful concluding statement separates a good essay from a brilliant one. To create a powerful conclusion, you need to start with a strong foundation.
Let’s take a look at how to construct an impactful concluding statement.
1. Restructure your thesis statement
To conclude your essay effectively, don’t just restate your thesis statement. Instead, use what you’ve learned throughout your essay and modify your thesis statement accordingly. This will help you create a conclusion that ties together all of the arguments you’ve presented.
2. Summarize the main points of your essay
The next point of your conclusion consists of a summary of the main arguments of your essay. It is crucial to effectively summarize the gist of your essay into one, well-structured paragraph.
3. Create a lasting impression with your concluding statement
Conclude your essay by including a key takeaway, or a powerful statement that creates a lasting impression on the reader. This can include the broader implications or consequences of your essay topic.
Here’s an example of a concluding paragraph.
The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane forever changed history by paving the way for modern aviation and countless aerospace advancements. Their persistence, innovation, and dedication to problem-solving led to the first successful powered flight in 1903, sparking a revolution in transportation that transformed the world. Today, air travel remains an integral part of our globalized society, highlighting the undeniable impact of the Wright Brothers’ contribution to human civilization.
Most essays are derived from the combination or variation of these four main types of essays . let’s take a closer look at these types.
1. Narrative essay
A narrative essay is a type of writing that involves telling a story, often based on personal experiences. It is a form of creative nonfiction that allows you to use storytelling techniques to convey a message or a theme.
2. Descriptive essay
A descriptive essay aims to provide an immersive experience for the reader by using sensory descriptors. Unlike a narrative essay, which tells a story, a descriptive essay has a narrower scope and focuses on one particular aspect of a story.
3. Argumentative essays
An argumentative essay is a type of essay that aims to persuade the reader to adopt a particular stance based on factual evidence and is one of the most common forms of college essays.
4. Expository essays
An expository essay is a common format used in school and college exams to assess your understanding of a specific topic. The purpose of an expository essay is to present and explore a topic thoroughly without taking any particular stance or expressing personal opinions.
While this article demonstrates what is an essay and describes its types, you may also have other doubts. As experts who provide essay editing and proofreading services , we’re here to help.
Our team has created a list of resources to clarify any doubts about writing essays. Keep reading to write engaging and well-organized essays!
What is the difference between an argumentative and an expository essay, what is the difference between a narrative and a descriptive essay, what is an essay format, what is the meaning of essay, what is the purpose of writing an essay.
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A paragraph is a short group of structured sentences with a single theme, cohesiveness, and flow. This article will provide you with an overview of the many types of paragraphs with examples of each.
One may categorize paragraphs based on their structure into four main types. They all have various features, and they will benefit many parts of your content.
You can use paragraphs in countless ways to depict or illustrate various things. However, it is a must to have a thorough understanding of the use of the different paragraph types appropriately for any given purpose.
The different kinds of paragraphs are as follows:
Find Grammar, spelling, style, and more writing issues with the Sentence checker .
A “descriptive paragraph” is a piece of writing in which the writer enlightens the reader with details on a specific topic. Writers often draw inspiration from personal experiences. The author employs vivid imagery to entice the reader’s senses. It makes it easier for the reader to envision themselves existing in the environment that the author depicts. In short, descriptive paragraphs do precisely what their name implies. They provide a thorough account of a particular person, thing, or event.
“The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun, and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music, and the opera of voices pitches a key higher. Laughter is “easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word. The groups change more swiftly, swell with new arrivals, dissolve and form in the same breath; already there are wanderers, confident girls who weave here and there among the stouter and more stable, become from a sharp, joyous moment the center of a group, and then, excited with triumph, glide on through the sea-change of faces and voices and color under the constantly changing light.” ( F. Scott Fitzgerald)
It is an extract from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. You can get a good sense of the environment in which the narrative is taking place by reading the paragraph. If you want to get better at writing descriptive paragraphs, you should practice addressing every facet of the external reality in your practice.
Don’t use this paragraph type if you want to tell a story. Put another way, you can’t use the descriptive type to narrate a tale or give hints about what a character in the book is thinking or feeling.
This type of paragraph provides an explanation and guidance. It may also explain how to do something and lead the reader through each step. This kind of paragraph needs a lot of research by the writer. But they may also rely on their own experience and knowledge.
“All toilet flush tanks work about the same. When the toilet is flushed, the trip handle lifts the tank ball, opening the outlet and letting water flow into the bowl. When the tank is nearly empty, the ball falls back in place over the outlet. The float falls with the water level, opening the water-supply inlet valve just as the outlet is being closed, and the tank is refilled through the filler tube. Water also flows through the bowl refill tube into the overflow pipe to replenish trap-sealing water. As the water level in the tank nears the top of the overflow pipe, the float closes the inlet valve, completing the cycle.”
This passage is an extract from Reader’s Digest’s Entire DIY Manual. It states that flushing a toilet sends water moving through its system. Even if you’re not a fan of the subject matter, you may find it educational.
It is not appropriate to use this type of paragraph to voice an opinion or attempt to sway the reader. Avoid using “loaded phrases” that evoke strong feelings, as this will interfere with the factual aspect of your text.
A narrative paragraph contributes to the narrative and ensures that the plot continues to progress. Paragraphs that tell a story will have action, incidents, and intriguing phrases to describe them. These paragraphs serve to maintain the reader’s interest in the narrative. A descriptive paragraph can be both narrative and descriptive at the same time.
A narrative paragraph provides the reader with more background information, such as the events that led to or triggered the story’s current events. These paragraphs are also critical for fiction authors, as they let the reader understand the big picture.
“It’s been almost ten years since I first ran for political office. I was thirty-five at the time, four years out of law school, recently married, and generally impatient with life. A seat in the Illinois legislature had opened up, and several friends suggested that I run, thinking that my work as a civil rights lawyer, and contacts from my days as a community organizer, would make me a viable candidate. After discussing it with my wife, I entered the race and proceeded to do what every first-time candidate does: I talked to anyone who would listen. I went to block club meetings and church socials, beauty shops and barbershops. If two guys were standing on a corner, I would cross the street to hand them campaign literature. And everywhere I went, I’d get some version of the same two questions.” (Barack Obama)
In the above passage from his book “The Audacity of Hope,” Barack Obama talks about the struggles of a man who got his start in politics. A good story includes three parts: an introduction, a middle section, and a conclusion that piques the reader’s interest. It possesses all three of those components. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.
You don’t use the narrative paragraph to introduce statistics or convince your readers.
If you want to attract the reader’s attention or make them comprehend and embrace your perspective, use a persuasive paragraph. Building an argument typically involves using persuasive paragraphs. These are rhetorical passages that use factual details to support the discussion and make it more credible. Confidence in a writer’s opinion is necessary for readers to believe what they are reading. The author intends to sway the audience’s perspectives.
“If you choose to use your position and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to point not only to the powerful, but also to the weak; If you keep the power of self-reflection in the lives of those who do not have your own benefits, then not only will your proud families celebrate your existence, but the billions and millions of people you have helped change their reality. We do not need magic to change the world with all the power we need within us: we have the power to think better. “ (Anon Writer)
The author put a lot of time and effort into crafting such a compelling piece. A variety of methods are available at your disposal to make your writing more persuasive. It’s safe to say that those that are good at persuasion put in the same amount of effort.
Going into a detailed narrative or a thorough description of destinations, situations, or incidents will lead the reader out of existence and into a fantasy world.
Your nonfiction writing will have a richer texture if you use the four-paragraph types illustrated above. Likewise, if you use them strategically, your writing will be much more exciting and engaging for the people who read it.
We hope you like the article where we have covered an extensive piece of information regarding different types of paragraphs. However, if you are keen to read more from us, here are some good relatable articles, exclusively for you:
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The types of paragraphs in academic writing whose examples you will discover in this tutorial include the narrative paragraph, descriptive paragraph, expository paragraph and persuasive paragraph. Others are the definition paragraph, process paragraph, compare and contrast paragraph, introduction paragraph and concluding paragraph.
Are you ready? Let’s do it.
There are several types of paragraphs. In writing, each paragraph has a specific purpose.
Also, the choice of a particular paragraph type depends on the writer’s purpose as well as the message they want to convey to their audience.
An introduction paragraph is the opening section of an essay, article, or any written piece. Its primary purpose is to grab the reader’s attention, provide essential context, and present the thesis statement or main idea of the entire work.
A hook is a compelling sentence or phrase designed to capture the reader’s interest. It can be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or a vivid description.
After the hook, you often provide some background information. The purpose of this background information is to help readers understand the broader context of your topic.
It is the thesis statement that tells the reader what your essay will be about and what position you’re taking.
Finally, some introduction paragraphs include a brief roadmap. Think of the roadmap as an outline of the main points that will be covered in the essay.
What is a paragraph? (Definition, Parts and Functions)
Narrative paragraphs tell a story or recount a series of events. They often include details about characters, settings, and actions as part of the overall narrative structure.
4. expository (informational) paragraph.
Expository paragraphs provide factual information and explanations about a specific topic. They aim to educate the reader and often include statistics, examples, or evidence to support their points.
6. compare and contrast paragraph.
Among the types of paragraphs that high school and college students will, at some point in their academic journey, be compelled to write is the compare and contrast paragraph.
Cause and effect paragraphs explain the reasons (causes) behind a particular event or situation and the outcomes (effects) that result from such.
Types of paragraphs that describe a series of steps or actions in an orderly sequence are what we call process paragraphs.
10. illustration (example) paragraph.
Illustration paragraphs provide specific examples to support a point. In other words, they illustrate a concept.
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Types of paragraph examples.
Find below a practical demonstration of the various types of paragraphs in academic writing. These paragraph examples should further clarify the points we’ve been discussing in this tutorial (and related ones) about paragraph writing best practices.
“Did you know that in today’s rapidly changing world, the skills and knowledge you acquire today may become obsolete in just a few years? The concept of lifelong learning has never been more crucial. In this essay, we will explore the significance of continuous learning in personal and professional development. Lifelong learning empowers individuals to adapt to new challenges, seize opportunities, and lead fulfilling lives. We are about to discuss the reasons why lifelong learning is a key to personal growth and success in the 21st century.”
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the sandy beach. As I walked along the shoreline, the gentle waves lapped at my feet, and seagulls soared overhead. It was the perfect evening for a beachside picnic with friends, a memory I’ll cherish forever.
Expository paragraph example, persuasive paragraph example.
The impact of climate change on our planet is undeniable. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and melting ice caps are clear signs of the crisis. It’s our moral duty to take action now. By reducing our carbon footprint, supporting renewable energy, and advocating for sustainable policies, we can collectively combat this urgent threat and preserve our planet for future generations.
Concluding paragraph examples, example 1 – inspirational conclusion.
In closing, as we reflect on our school’s remarkable achievements and the challenges we have faced, I want to leave you with this thought. Our school’s journey has been marked by resilience, unity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Yes, we have encountered obstacles, but they’ve only strengthened our resolve to overcome them. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities, and achievements into stepping stones for an even brighter future. Let’s carry the spirit of determination forward, and with our collective efforts, there’s no doubt that we shall continue to shine as a beacon of education and inspiration. Thank you.
In conclusion, our school’s journey has been one of both triumphs and trials. But remember, challenges are what make our victories even sweeter. As we move forward, let’s not only celebrate our achievements but also channel our energy into addressing the challenges that lie ahead. Let’s work together, students, teachers, parents, and staff, to create solutions and forge a path toward an even more prosperous future for our school. With determination and collaboration, there’s no challenge too great, and there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Thank you for your attention, and let’s embrace this exciting journey ahead.
We cannot finish this discussion of the various types of paragraphs in academic English writing without taking a brief look at some examples of certain parts of the introduction paragraph.
Essay on climate change.
In this essay, we will explore the impact of human activities on climate change and argue that urgent action is needed to mitigate its consequences, protect our environment, and secure a sustainable future for generations unborn.
Essay on the importance of education, essay on gender equality.
Gender equality is a fundamental human right, yet disparities persist in many aspects of life. This essay will analyze the ongoing challenges and advocate for a more equitable society that values and empowers all genders.
Roadmap examples in paragraph writing, example 1 – roadmap for an argumentative essay.
“In this argumentative essay, we will explore the controversial topic of mandatory vaccinations. First, we will establish the importance of vaccinations in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting public health. Next, we will delve into the arguments against mandatory vaccinations, addressing concerns about personal freedom and potential risks. Then, we will present counterarguments to refute these concerns and emphasize the collective responsibility for community immunity. Finally, we will conclude with a call to action, advocating for informed vaccination decisions and the greater good.”
“This descriptive paragraph will paint a vivid picture of a bustling farmer’s market on a sunny Saturday morning. First, we will set the scene by describing the location and the time of day, creating a sense of time and place. Then, we will explore the vibrant colours and diverse array of fresh produce, capturing the sensory experience of the market. Next, we will highlight the sounds and aromas that fill the air, immersing the reader in the bustling atmosphere. Finally, we will conclude by conveying the overall sense of community and vitality that defines this beloved local market.”
In this roadmap, the descriptive paragraph is broken down into steps that guide the reader through a sensory journey of the farmer’s market, from the setting to the details that make it come to life.
Closing thoughts.
The above examples of types of paragraphs in academic writing should serve as a guide as you develop your skills in constructing your best paragraphs. In case you are a tutor, I believe that using this resource to help your students learn how to write the various types of paragraphs in any academic setting or in life situations, in general, will immensely advance your teaching objectives.
Did you find this information helpful? Then share it on your favourite social media platform for the benefit of others you care about. Thank you!
Ralph Nyadzi is the founder of Cegast Academy. He is a qualified English tutor with decades of experience behind him. Since 2001, he has successfully coached thousands of High School General Arts WASSCE candidates in English, Literature and related subjects. He combines his expertise with a passion for lifelong learning to guide learners from varying backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. He lives with River, his pet cat, in the Central Region of Ghana.
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Essay writing is a fundamental skill, a basic task, that is expected of those who choose to pursue their undergraduate and master’s degrees. It constitutes a key requirement for students to complete a given course credit. However, many students and early career researchers find themselves struggling with the challenge of organizing their thoughts into a coherent, engaging structure. This article is especially for those who see essay writing as a daunting task and face problems in presenting their work in an impactful way.
Read on as we delve into the basic elements of essay writing, outline key principles for organizing information, and cover some foundational features of writing essays.
Essays are written in a flowing and continuous pattern but with a structure of its own. An introduction, body and conclusion are integral to it. The key is to balance the amount and kind of information to be presented in each part. Various disciplines may have their own conventions or guidelines on the information to be provided in the introduction.
A clear articulation of the context and background of the study is important, as is the definition of key terms and an outline of specific models or theories used. Readers also need to know the significance of the study and its implications for further research. Most importantly, the thesis or the main proposition should be clearly presented.
The body of the essay is therefore organized into paragraphs that hold the main ideas and arguments and is presented and analyzed in a logical manner. Ideally, each paragraph of the body focuses on one main point or a distinct topic and must be supported by evidence and analysis. The concluding paragraph should bring back to the reader the key arguments, its significance and food for thought. It is best not to re-state all the points of the essay or introduce a new concept here.
In other words, certain general guidelines help structure the information in the essay. The information must flow logically with the context or the background information presented in the introductory part of the essay. The arguments are built organically where each paragraph in the body of the essay deals with a different point, yet closely linked to the para preceding and following it. Importantly, when writing essays, early career researchers must be careful in ensuring that each piece of information relates to the main thesis and is a building block to the arguments.
The structure of an essay can be determined by the kind of essay that is required.
Also known as the cause-and-effect approach, this is a straightforward way to structure an essay. In such essays, events are discussed sequentially, as they occurred from the earliest to the latest. A chronological structure is useful for discussing a series of events or processes such as historical analyses or narratives of events. The introduction should have the topic sentence. The body of the essay should follow a chorological progression with each para discussing a major aspect of that event with supporting evidence. It ends with a summarizing of the results of the events.
Where the essay focuses on a specific problem, the problem-methods-solutions structure can be used to organize the essay. This structure is ideal for essays that address complex issues. It starts with presenting the problem, the context, and thesis statement as introduction to the essay. The major part of the discussion which forms the body of the essay focuses on stating the problem and its significance, the author’s approach or methods adopted to address the problem along with its relevance, and accordingly proposing solution(s) to the identified problem. The concluding part offers a recap of the research problem, methods, and proposed solutions, emphasizing their significance and potential impact.
This structure of essay writing is ideally used when two or more key subjects require a comparison of ideas, theories, or phenomena. The three crucial elements, introduction, body, and conclusion, remain the same. The introduction presents the context and the thesis statement. The body of the essay seeks to focus on and highlight differences between the subjects, supported by evidence and analysis. The conclusion is used to summarize the key points of comparison and contrast, offering insights into the significance of the analysis.
Depending on how the subjects will be discussed, the body of the essay can be organized according to the block method or the alternating method. In the block method, one para discusses one subject and the next para the other subject. In the alternative method, both subjects are discussed in one para based on a particular topic or issue followed by the next para on another issue and so on.
An essay structure serves as a framework for presenting ideas coherently and logically. It comprises three crucial elements: an introduction that communicates the context, topic, and thesis statement; the body focusing on the main points and arguments supported with appropriate evidence followed by its analysis; and a conclusion that ties together the main points and its importance .
An essay structure well-defined essay structure enhances clarity, coherence, and readability, and is crucial for organizing ideas and arguments to effectively communicate key aspects of a chosen topic. It allows readers to better understand arguments presented and demonstrates the author’s ability to organize and present information systematically.
Yes, while expert recommend following an essay structure, early career researchers may choose how best to adapt standard essay structures to communicate and share their research in an impactful and engaging way. However, do keep in mind that deviating too far from established structures can hinder comprehension and weaken the overall effectiveness of the essay, By understanding the basic elements of essay writing and employing appropriate structures such as chronological, problem-methods-solutions, or compare and contrast, researchers can effectively organize their ideas and communicate their findings with clarity and precision.
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Published March 31, 2021. Updated June 2, 2022.
A three-paragraph essay is an essay that consists of an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion.
The three-paragraph essay is very similar to the five-paragraph essay, which has three body paragraphs, but only gives you one body paragraph to support your ideas. The introduction should announce your topic, engage your reader, and present your argument or point of view. In persuasive writing, your thesis should be debatable, provable, specific, and clear. The body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about and then provides supporting material. The conclusion should reconnect the dots for your reader without simply restating your thesis in its original words.
Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.
The basic format of the three-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. This layout is very similar to the five-paragraph essay, which has three body paragraphs, but only gives you one body paragraph to support your ideas. Choose your points wisely!
The introduction needs to answer three questions:
Why should your reader care.
Your teacher may have given you the topic for this paper. If not, you may have to come up with a subject on your own. Pick a topic or focus that interests you and that you have strong opinions about.
If you were asked to write a paper about Tuck Everlasting, you might decide that you wanted to focus on the main character Winnie. But what about her character interests you? Perhaps it’s her decision not to drink the water that gives people eternal life.
Why does your topic matter? You need to give the reader a reason to keep going through the rest of the paper. Open your introduction with a hook, a question or a statement that provokes or intrigues the reader.
When we think of heroic deaths, we often imagine people dying in battle or sacrificing themselves for others. In Tuck Everlasting, Winnie Foster’s death looks very different. She dies from old age.
This hook works because it establishes familiar ground before introducing a twist. The reader wants to know how Winnie Foster’s less dramatic death relates to this idea of “heroic deaths.”
Your introduction should end with your thesis statement, a sentence that sums up your argument about your topic. For persuasive writing, your thesis should be
An okay thesis for this paper on Tuck Everlasting might go like this:
Winnie’s decision not to drink the spring water is heroic.
A better one would be
Winnie’s decision not to drink the water does more than protect the spring’s secrets. She displays a quiet heroism when she chooses to participate in the natural cycle of life and in her community, contributing to the world instead of watching it go by.
This thesis doesn’t just call Winnie a hero. It explains what heroism is in the context of this paper. This paper isn’t interested in grand gestures. It’s interested in the “quiet heroism” of a life that embraces and benefits other people.
Your body paragraph fleshes out your argument, giving evidence and explanations for why you are right. It should start with a topic sentence that outlines what will be covered.
Winnie’s life story looks very different from the Tucks’ story.
This paragraph will contrast these two journeys. As you write your paragraph, you need to present and explain evidence that supports your argument. Start that explanation from the very beginning, connecting everything back to the thesis. This paper’s next sentence should read
While the Tucks need to isolate themselves and endanger others when they do interact with people, Winnie’s choice to let herself age and die makes her part of the town’s story and progress.
The paragraph would go on to mention some relevant moments that illustrate the Tucks’ journey. It would contrast them with Winnie’s grave at the end of the book, which mentions her family, and with the way the town has progressed.
Your final paragraph should be a short conclusion that sums up your argument and reconnects the dots of your paper. Don’t just restate your thesis in the same words.
The conclusion to this paper might start with this sentence:
Winnie deserves Angus’s praise at the end of the novel because she pursued a life full of love, happiness, and community.
You would then write a couple more sentences on the theme, bringing the essay to a close.
Follow these steps:
In order to write the strongest paper that you can, you need to revise your essay, improving content and structure. You also need to edit it, proofreading and rephrasing sentences to make them more powerful or clear.
Questions to ask yourself as you revise and edit:
Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.
Posted on 13th October 2017
By Elise Barbeau
Sally Baggett holds a master’s in literature. She enjoys inspiring students, cooking with her family, and helping others achieve their dreams.
Just like there is more than one way to skin a cat (or so they say), there is more than one way to write an essay. One is not required to produce a perfectly formatted five-paragraph essay every time one composes a piece of writing. There is another type of essay you can write that may just be simpler than the traditional style: the three-paragraph essay. This type of essay might be beneficial for beginning writers as it offers the organizational structure of a longer essay without requiring the length. It also offers a challenge to more advanced writers to condense their points.
As with most essays, the three-paragraph essay has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Yet with this type of essay–unlike its five-paragraph counterpart–each one of these sections has only one paragraph. The three-paragraph essay, therefore, might be ideal for young writers or those who are currently mastering the English language.
Another benefit to the three-paragraph essay could be that it requires you to condense your supporting points into just one, which can be a good exercise. If you had to choose only one point to convince a reader to agree with you, what would it be?
After performing some light prewriting, such as brainstorming or writing an outline, students can move right into composing the essay. While this process is similar across the board for writing academic papers, the three-paragraph essay is unique in that the body will take up less space in the finished product.
An outline for this essay might look like this :
As with most formal essays, the three-paragraph essay begins with an introduction paragraph. Such paragraphs must, obviously, introduce the reader to your idea and, in most cases, convince the reader that this essay is worth reading. To craft a strong introduction, be sure to open with a solid hook. You want to draw in readers so they are compelled to engage with your writing.
A hook can be something compelling such as a question, a powerful quote, or an interesting fact. Introduction paragraphs also usually contain background information that assists the reader in understanding your topic, perhaps defining it or explaining an important part. Finally, you want to include a thesis statement. Even though your essay only has three paragraphs, there still needs to be a purpose to the writing.
You could structure your introduction paragraph according to this outline :
This structure is not mandatory, though it might be useful in the long run for organizing your thoughts.
The second paragraph, as we have discussed, is the one and only body paragraph. This paragraph bears the burden of communicating support for the thesis statement all on its own. As such, it may take more than one rough draft to get this paragraph to communicate everything you want it to.
Your body paragraph needs to underscore the thesis statement. Create a topic sentence for this body paragraph that communicates this and also transitions from the introduction into the body. For example, your body paragraph topic sentence based on the outline above could be:
One of those problems might play itself out as food scarcity where humans live.
This topic sentence reiterates the thesis and moves the reader into a body paragraph that contains a supporting point: that damage to the ocean’s ecosystem could lead to food scarcity. Within the body paragraph, you can quote different sources that support this point.
Again, this paragraph does not have room to contain everything that a full five-paragraph essay might. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fit in some strong evidence to convince your reader to see your perspective, such as is accomplished through quotes and analysis. Don’t forget to end with a strong transition sentence to move the reader seamlessly into the conclusion.
The final paragraph in an essay is usually the conclusion. The three-paragraph essay is no exception. In this essay, the conclusion can be just as long as the other two paragraphs, and it can drive home the point made in the thesis statement and body paragraph. As with most conclusion paragraphs, this paragraph ought to restate the thesis in different words. It should then summarize what was stated in the body paragraph before challenging the reader in some way, whether in thought or action.
One thing to be sure of in this type of essay (as in any other) is to polish it. Make it flow well. In other words, revise it!
Before beginning the revision process, take a break from your writing so that you can look at it with fresh eyes. Once you start revising, hunt not only for grammar and punctuation errors but for ways to make the writing flow better. Take a look at the sentences at the beginning and end of each paragraph. Do these sentences contain transition words? Do these paragraphs link to each other? Transition words or phrases like “Likewise,” “In spite of,” or “In addition to” can ensure that your paragraphs are coherent. There are also other services that will automatically proofread you paper.
If you used any sources (i.e. websites, books, videos, etc.) to help support your points and write your paper, you need to cite them! Most teachers will ask you to create a bibliography in MLA format . Others may have you one in APA format , or create references in Chicago style. Ask your teacher for guidance on what citation style they prefer.
Don’t forget that you aren’t limited to using this type of essay for just persuasion. You can also use it to relate a narrative tale, using the three parts as the beginning, middle, and end of a story. You can use this to craft an informative essay. See if other types of essays–such as a process analysis or an evaluation–will fit inside the three-paragraph essay format.
In many ways, the three-paragraph essay is similar to the five-paragraph essay. They both make a solid point using an introduction, body, and conclusion. This simpler essay only requires that you condense your points into one body paragraph, perhaps only one supporting point, before reaching a conclusion. Again, this can make a good exercise for beginning English writers, but can also make a challenge for a more advanced writer to select their strongest supporting points.
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An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and ...
The approach serves bloggers and essay writers who will focus on a single idea as they share it with their audience. Joseph Kenas. In writing, the 5 main types of paragraphs are descriptive, narrative, persuasive, explanatory, and illustration based on their content and structure.
8. All paragraphs need to be relevant to the marking criteria. 9. Only include one key idea per paragraph. 10. Keep sentences short. 11. Keep quotes short. Paragraph structure is one of the most important elements of getting essay writing right.
The type of paragraph you write will depend on a number of factors: The kind of writing you are producing. For example, paragraphs in a report tend to have a different purpose to paragraphs in an essay. The position of the paragraph in a longer piece of writing. A body paragraph in an essay has a different purpose to an introduction or conclusion.
Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. A paragraph is defined as "a group of sentences or a ...
The four different types of paragraphs are descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive. These four types allow you to write about absolutely anything that you want! By understanding these different types of paragraphs and what they are used for, the English world is your oyster. Read on to learn more about these paragraphs and how you ...
Table of contents. Step 1: Identify the paragraph's purpose. Step 2: Show why the paragraph is relevant. Step 3: Give evidence. Step 4: Explain or interpret the evidence. Step 5: Conclude the paragraph. Step 6: Read through the whole paragraph. When to start a new paragraph.
At a minimum, an essay will always have at least three paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, a body paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph. Depending on the required word or page count or the type of essay (argumentative, informative, etc.), your essay could have multiple paragraphs expanding on different points.
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
The 4 types of paragraphs are: A narrative paragraph which tells a story of a certain event. A descriptive paragraph which gives details about a person, place thing or idea. An expository ...
Parts of an essay. An impactful, well-structured essay comes down to three important parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. 1. The introduction sets the stage for your essay and is typically a paragraph long. It should grab the reader's attention and give them a clear idea of what your essay will be about.
You can use paragraphs in countless ways to depict or illustrate various things. However, it is a must to have a thorough understanding of the use of the different paragraph types appropriately for any given purpose. The different kinds of paragraphs are as follows: Descriptive Paragraph; Expository Paragraph; Narrative Paragraph; Persuasive ...
Concluding paragraphs summarize the main points of an essay or section. This type of paragraph gives a brief recap of the key ideas discussed. In a nutshell, a concluding paragraph helps tie the piece of writing together. Types of Paragraph Examples. Find below a practical demonstration of the various types of paragraphs in academic writing.
What are the 5 parts of an essay? Explore how the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion parts of an essay work together.
A paragraph can be described, narrative, persuasive, explanatory, or illustrated based on its content and structure. The five main types of paragraphs in writing are descriptive, narrative, compelling, and explanatory. Paragraphs come in many different types. Each type has its characteristics, which make it different from other types of paragraphs.
4 types of essay structures. Depending on the topic and purpose of your essay, there are several essay structures you can use to present your ideas to your readers, including the following four structures: 1. Compare and contrast structures. For an essay that has two or more primary subjects, consider using the compare and contrast structure.
8 Types of Essays. To decide which essay style best suits your needs as a writer, check out the list below: 1. Expository essay: An expository essay, also known as a definition essay, is the most basic type of essay. Expository essays aim only to explain an idea or define a concept, without making an argument.
This structure of essay writing is ideally used when two or more key subjects require a comparison of ideas, theories, or phenomena. The three crucial elements, introduction, body, and conclusion, remain the same. The introduction presents the context and the thesis statement. The body of the essay seeks to focus on and highlight differences ...
The three-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. Your introduction needs to announce your topic, engage your reader, and present your argument or point of view. In persuasive writing, your thesis should be debatable, provable, specific, and clear. Your body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that ...
An essay is a formal writing sample of a given topic composed of multiple paragraphs. The largest difference between the two types of writing is that the essay usually involves more preparation work.
You can use this to craft an informative essay. See if other types of essays-such as a process analysis or an evaluation-will fit inside the three-paragraph essay format. In many ways, the three-paragraph essay is similar to the five-paragraph essay. They both make a solid point using an introduction, body, and conclusion.
When Endelman and his staff first reached out to the native New Yorker, he was only a four-star recruit. But after two huge performances that same year, the future Lion fully committed to a strict work ethic that saw him not only climb the rankings at the junior level but also become a top recruit in the nation.