Body paragraphs should develop the topic, prove points, and have a consistent pattern. A paragraph contains a topic sentence stating the main idea, supporting sentences with details and examples, and optionally a concluding sentence summarizing the key points. Topic sentences must be complete with a subject and verb, while supporting sentences explain or prove the topic sentence with specific facts.

1. Essay Structure
Body Paragraphs
and Conclusion

2. Basic Essay Structure
• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion

3. Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs in an essay should:
• Develop your topic
• Prove your points
• Have a pattern (e.g. chronological order,
comparison/contrast, or a combination of
both)

4. Paragraph Structure
A Paragraph Is:
A group of related sentences that discuss one
(and usually only one) main idea. A paragraph
can be as short as one sentence or as long as
ten sentences or more. The length of a
paragraph is not important, it should be long
enough to develop the main idea clearly.

5. Paragraph Structure
Three Parts of a Paragraph
• Topic sentence
• Supporting sentences
• Concluding sentence (if necessary)

6. Paragraph Structure
Topic Sentence
• Topic (states the topic)
• Controlling idea (controls or limits the topic
to a a specific area)
Gold, (topic) a precious metal, is known for two
important characteristics. (controlling idea)

7. Paragraph Structure
Writing Topic Sentences
• A topic sentence must be a complete sentence,
with a subject and a verb.
• A topic sentence should neither be too general
nor too specific.
• A topic sentence should not have unrelated
controlling ideas.

8. Paragraph Structure
Supporting Sentences
• Explain or prove the topic sentence
• Are specific and factual
• Can be examples, statistics, or quotations

9. Paragraph Structure
Concluding Sentence
• Signals the end of the paragraph.
• Leaves the reader with the most important
ideas. It can do this in two ways:
– By summarizing the main points of the
paragraph.
– By repeating the topic sentences in
different words.
Note: A paragraph doesn’t always need a concluding
sentence.

10. Paragraph Structure
End-of-Paragraph Signals Followed by a
comma
Finally, Lastly,
In Brief, Therefore,
In conclusion, Thus,
Indeed, To sum up,
In short,

11. Paragraph Structure
End-of-Paragraph Signals NOT Followed
by a comma
The evidence suggests that …
There can be no doubt that …
These examples show that …
We can see that …