Writing Paragraphs

Write a topic sentence that contains the main idea of the paragraph, for each main point. This will be the focal point of the paragraph. EXAMPLE: The blood vessels in a smoker’s body are severely constricted because of the tar buildup from the cigarettes.

Linking Paragraphs

Some words and phrases such as, as well as, likewise, therefore, yet, however, in contrast, in addition ,  not only etc. act as bridges between paragraphs and take the reader from one point and lead them to the next. These words are called transitional markers and show the connection between each major point.

Located in one of two places, either at the beginning of the paragraph (as a topic sentence) or at the end (as a summarization and transitional sentence. Example to move from a paragraph about constricted blood vessels to a paragraph about an accelerated heartbeat), the second paragraph could begin in the following way, Not only do the blood vessels become constricted, but the heartbeat is also accelerated.

The Introductory Paragraph is made up of three parts the lead, which catches the attention of the reader, the bridge which connects the lead to the topic, and the thesis statement which is a sentence that states the central idea of the whole.

Example: [Lead] After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, the debate surrounding racial profiling in airports intensified. Many people believed that profiling was the best way to identify possible terrorists, but many others worried about violations of civil liberties. [Bridge] Neither of these techniques have resulted in eliminating terrorism. [Thesis] However, if every airline traveller had a national ID card, airlines could screen for terrorists more effectively than they do now and avoid procedures that single out individuals solely on the basis of race.