Paragraph Writing - Northern Illinois University
Paragraph Writing
Paragraphs have (4) basic parts
• Title- top of the page which is separated from the paragraph
• Introduction-usually first or second sentence-called the topic sentence
• Body-3 or more detail sentences
• Conclusion-usually the last sentence-called the clincher
Topic Sentence
• Usually first sentence
• Introduces the main idea (the same idea that is expressed in the title)
• Sometimes introduces the details
• 3 types include
-General Topic Sentence-covers only the main idea but not the details of the
paragraph (see examples below).
-Clueing Topic Sentence-names the main idea and provides some information
about the details to be included in the paragraph. These sentences often use clue
words such as many, several, a number of, number (three), kinds, types, parts,
elements, reasons, categories, similarities, differences, etc (see examples below).
-Specific Topic Sentence- names the main idea and names the details to be
covered in the paragraph (see examples below).
• Examples
-General- NIU is an interesting place to receive an education. Special education
is an exciting field. I enjoy working with students with disabilities.
-Clueing-Students attend NIU for several reasons. There are three reasons why
special education is an exciting field.
For a variety of reasons, I enjoy working with students with disabilities.
-Specific-Students attend NIU because of its reputation, location, and programs.
Special education is an exciting field because of the collaboration, the
challenges, and the personal rewards.
I enjoy working with students with disabilities because it is personally
rewarding, professionally challenging, and spiritually uplifting.
Detail Sentences
• Form the body of the paragraph.
• Each detail sentence contains information about one or more of the main points or details of the paragraph.
Two types of Detail Sentences
• Lead-off sentences
-Comes first in the line-up of detail sentences that are written about the same
detail
-Introduce a new detail to the reader.
-Include a transition word to show the relationship between the new detail and the
rest of the paragraph.
-Examples: The first reason, the most important element, the largest element, etc.
• Follow-up Sentences
-Follow the lead-off sentence with additional information about the detail.
-They add to the information provided in the lead-off sentence.
-You can write as many follow-up sentences as needed to convey information
about the detail to be discussed.
• 5 requirements of a detail sentence:
1. They must contain related information.
2. They must be in a logical sequence (such as size, time, space, importance or chain-link).
3. They must include a transition if it introduces a new detail.
4. They must be written from the same point of view as the other sentences in the paragraph (i.e., first person, (I); second person, (You); third person (he, she, they, it, them).
5. They must be written in the same tense as the other sentences in the paragraph (past, present, future).
• Clincher Sentences
-Similar to topic sentences.
-Form the conclusion of the paragraph.
-Usually the last sentence in the paragraph.
-Closes the paragraph.
-Names the main idea of the paragraph.
-Sometimes summarizes or names the details of the paragraph.
-Is different from the topic sentence (should use different words than the topic
sentence).
-Sometimes they start with a concluding transition (a word or group of words that
tell the reader that you are finishing something.)
• Three types of Clincher Sentences
-General-summarizes only the main idea of a paragraph, it may make the reader
think more about the topic.
-Clueing-names the main idea and ties the details together with a clue word (same
clue words we used earlier in the clueing topic sentence).
-Specific-names the main idea, names the specific details that were covered in the
paragraph order.
Summary of Paragraphs
-A paragraph has a title that conveys the main idea; a topic sentence that can be
general, clueing, or specific; lead-off sentences for each new detail; follow-up
sentences after the lead-off sentences; and a clincher sentence that can be general,
clueing, or specific.
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