1. Module 1
What is a Paragraph?
Information taken from: Hogue, A. (2008). First
Steps in Academic Writing. 2nd Ed. Longman

2. What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of related
sentences about a topic.
The topic of a paragraph is one, and only
one idea.

3. Parts of a Paragraph
A paragraph has 3 main parts:
1. Topic sentence
2. Supporting sentences
3. Concluding sentence

4. Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is the first sentence in
a paragraph. This is a sentence that names
the topic and tells what the paragraph will
explain about the topic.

5. Supporting Sentences
The middle sentences in a paragraph are
called the supporting sentences.
Supporting sentences give examples or
other details about the topic.

6. Concluding Sentence
The last sentence in a concluding sentence.
A concluding sentence often repeats the
topic sentence in different words or
summarizes the main point.

7. Paragraph Form
In academic writing, there is a special form for paragraphs.
When you write a paragraph, make it look like the one
below:

8. Paragraph Form
Let’s analyze the paragraph form you saw in the previous
slide.
1. Heading:
Write your full name
Write the course name and number
Write the date the assignment is due.
E.g.
Veronica Sanchez
English 1
August 10, 2014
2. Assignment Title
Center the title of your paragraph
My Classmate

9. 3. Body
Skip one line, and start writing on the third line.
Always indent the first sentence.
4. Spacing:
Double-space the body.
My Classmate
My classmate is an interesting person. Her name is Santy Valverde, She
comes from Mexico. She is single and lives with her best friend from Mexico.
They grew up in the same neighborhood, and their friendship has lasted
sixteen years so far. This semester, Santy is studying art, English, and
computer science. She works in a restaurant as a waitress. Santy likes her job
very much. One weekends, she often goes biking or plays volleyball. Santy
has an exciting life, and she seems to have a bright future ahead of her.

10. Strong Paragraphs
Every sentence in a strong paragraph is about the
same topic.
All the sentences explain the writer’s main idea
about the topic.
When the writer wants to write about a new main
idea, he/she begins a new paragraph.
The sentences are arranged logically,
so the reader can easily understand
what the writer wants to say.