Paragraphs

A paragraph is a collection of sentences that all relate to one topic. Ensuring your paragraphs are well-organized and logical will assist in the readability of your writing. For more information regarding organizing a paper, please see Planning the Paper.

Please view the resources linked below for more information on paragraphing:

Writing an Academic Paragraph (19:35 video)

This video will provide you with an introduction to writing an academic paragraph. While the video is playing, click "Menu" to navigate through the presentation or see the transcript. If you would like to return to specific sections of the video, please see below:

1. Introduction (0:52)
2. Purpose and characteristics of an academic paragraph (2:28)
3. Elements of an academic paragraph (0:25)
   1. Topic sentence with argument/claim (1:25)
   2. Critical thinking and how to demonstrate it (6:11)
   3. Research evidence (1:43)
   4. Analysis (1:18)
   5. Conclusion (0:43)
   6. Transition (1:40)
4. Sample paragraph (0:19)
5. Final thoughts on paragraphing and contact the Writing Centre (2:32)

Click on Writing an Academic Paragraph (PowerPoint) if you would like the slides from the video; the transcript is available via the slide notes.

Importance of logical writing

• Improving logic (Royal Roads University, YouTube video)

Introductory paragraphs

• Introductory paragraphs (Royal Roads University)
• Introductions and conclusions (University of Toronto - Writing)
• How to plan and write a paper: Introductions (University of Maryland, Baltimore Writing Center, YouTube video)
• How to write an introduction (Kevin deLaplante, Youtube video)

Body paragraphs

• Building persuasive arguments (Royal Roads University)
• Counterarguments (Royal Roads University)
• Body paragraph checklist (Royal Roads University)
  

Topic sentences

• Claims and facts (Royal Roads University, YouTube video)
• Topic sentences: An introduction (Carmen Seitan)
• The importance of topic sentences (Carmen Seitan)
• Practice finding and supporting topic sentences (Carmen Seitan)

Using research evidence

• Quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing (Royal Roads University)
• Claims and facts (Royal Roads University, YouTube video)

Transitional expressions

• Transitional expressions and transitional sentences (Royal Roads University)
• Transitional expressions (Royal Roads University, YouTube video)
• Using keywords to improve flow (Royal Roads University, YouTube video)
• Transitions (The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
• Transitions (ESL) (The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Concluding paragraphs

• Concluding paragraphs (Royal Roads University)
• How to plan and write a paper: Conclusions (University of Maryland, Baltimore Writing Center, YouTube video)
• How to write a conclusion (Kevin deLaplante, Youtube video)

To search for additional information, please visit WriteAnswers and search the FAQs. If you're a RRU student, you can also use the WriteAnswers contact form to send your questions directly to the Writing Centre. We'll send you a private reply as soon as we can, which is typically within one business day of receiving the message.