Drafting Paragraphs

Use Complete Sentences

Write your draft with your outline in front of you. Be sure to include your topic sentence, and express each point in a complete sentence. As you write, you may want to add support or change the order. It is OK to make changes from your outline as you write.

Consider Introductory Techniques

Although paragraphs typically begin with topic sentences, they may also begin with a quote, an example, or a surprising fact or idea. The topic sentence is then presented later in the paragraph. For examples of various introductory techniques, see “Write an Introduction.” For more on topic sentences, see “Topic Sentences and Thesis Statements” in Chapter 3.

End with a Concluding Sentence

A concluding sentence refers back to the main point and makes an observation based on what you have written. The concluding sentence does not just repeat the topic sentence. Concluding paragraphs for essays are discussed in “Write a Conclusion.”

Title Your Paragraph

The title is the first thing readers see, so it should give them a good idea of what your paragraph is about. Decide on a title by rereading your draft, especially your topic sentence. A paragraph title should not repeat your topic sentence. Titles for essays are discussed in “Title Your Essay.”

NOTE: Center your title at the top of the page before the first paragraph. Do not put quotation marks around it or underline it.