ANALYZING PARAGRAPHS FOR THE MAIN IDEA AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

2.1 ANALYZING PARAGRAPHS FOR THE MAIN IDEA AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

A paragraph is a group of related sentences that support one main idea. In general, paragraphs consist of three parts: the topic sentence, body sentences, and the concluding or the bridge sentence to the next paragraph or section. Paragraphs show where the subdivisions of a research paper begin and end and, thus, help the reader see the organization of the essay and grasp its main points. see link

In terms of structure, an “academic” paragraph includes a topic sentence, which introduces* the paragraph’s main idea. It then offers several sentences (or at least one, as a minimum) to support or explain the topic sentence. Finally, it concludes with a sentence that helps transition to the next paragraph.

The topic sentence is often, but not always, the first sentence in the paragraph. You’ll hear more about that later. (For more about topic sentences see “Writing Paragraphs” in the “Drafting” section of this text.)

Writers may choose to use short or long paragraphs to create specific effects—much the same as using short and long sentences. Short paragraphs can build tension or a sense of expectation, while long ones may create a “stream of consciousness” feeling, in which the narrator’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions are given in a continuous, rambling flow.

The classic arrangement of paragraphs in a text may be described as “linear” or time-based. In other words, the narrator typically starts at the beginning and moves logically to the end. Sometimes a writer will use flashbacks, flash-forwards, or dream/imaginative sequences to affect the usual flow of time in the story or to provide additional information. For example, a flashback allows the reader to learn something about the story’s past they wouldn’t have known otherwise.

A clear and effective paragraph is constructed like an essay. Just as an essay has a main idea (thesis statement) that is developed and supported with evidence and analysis in the body paragraphs, a paragraph needs to focus on a single idea that is developed and supported with evidence and analysis. Also, just as an essay ends with a conclusion, a paragraph should close by linking the topic sentence to the main idea in the next paragraph

Good writers should remember the MEAL Plan:
• Main Idea
• Evidence
• Analysis
• Link

Main Idea
• The main idea of a paragraph is called the topic sentence.
• Everything in your paragraph must connect and support your topic sentence in order to be cohesive.
• The topic sentence should appear near the beginning of the paragraph.
• The topic sentence for each paragraph should be directly related to the paper’s main idea or thesis.

Remember: each body paragraph supports the thesis statement as the controlling idea of the paper, so the topic sentence for each paragraph must connect back to the thesis statement presented in the introduction.