multi paragraph essay format

How to Write a Multi-Paragraph Essay: Tips and Pointers

If you have taken any type of writingclass in high school or college, there is a very good chance that you have been assigned a multi-paragraph essay. In essence, it follows the format that almost all essays take - typically in the form of five paragraphs - although it can be longer when necessary. The content of a multi-paragraph varies depending on the type of essay the writer is being asked to write. If you understand how to structure this type of paper, you will be able to best organize your thoughts and ideas on paper. A multi-paragraph essay example can serve as a guide if you are having difficulties.

What is a Multi-Paragraph Essay Worksheet?

When you are asked to write a lengthy essay, your instruction will sometimes ask you to fill out a multi-paragraph essay worksheet so that you will be able to plan the assignment well. Since this assignment is more complex than the general 5-paragraph essay, it is typically given to students only after they have enough writing experience. The information in the worksheet includes your introduction and conclusion paragraphs and the body paragraphs in between.

Suggestions for Using the Worksheet

The multi-paragraph essay format is ideal for a wide variety of essay types whether it is argumentative, persuasive or comparative. Teachers will often ask students to use the multi-paragraph essay so that they can improve their formal writing. Rather than being limited to three body paragraphs or main arguments, it helps the student utilize far more examples and therefore write a more insightful, comprehensive paper. 

First Paragraph

As with pretty much every essay, you will use the first paragraph to introduce the topic. Since you want to hook the reader, make sure the first sentence is intriguing and memorable. The following sentences provide some context and inform the reader what to expect, and the final sentence will contain the thesis statement, the main idea that the entire paper is centered around. 

The body of the essay is used to highlight your points that provide support for the thesis. In a multi-paragraph essay, the body will contain a minimum of three paragraphs, with each of them focusing on a particular idea that can be linked back to the main idea of the paper. The paragraphs begin with a topic sentence after which you provide more elaboration and thereby strengthen your thesis argument.

If you are writing a conventional multi-paragraph essay, the conclusion will be in the fifth and final paragraph. Use this opportunity to restate your thesis and main points, reaffirm that you have proven your thesis, and finish by discussing the broader implications of your paper. It is the last thing that the reader will see, so make it count! 

Additional Elements

If your paper includes any outside sources, they should not only be cited in the text, they should be attached on a separate page in the form of a reference list/bibliography/work cited. Using reputable sources to support your opinion adds credibility to your paper. Make sure to format this page according to your instructor’s preferred citation style.

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• Knowledge Base
• How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

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Table of contents

The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

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The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

• Thesis statement
• Discussion of event/period
• Consequences
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement
• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
• Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
• Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
• High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
• Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
• Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
• Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
• Implications of the new technology for book production
• Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
• Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
• Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
• Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
• Summarize the history described
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

• Synthesis of arguments
• Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
• Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
• Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
• Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
• Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
• Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
• Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
• Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
• Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
• Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
• Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
• Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

• Point 1 (compare)
• Point 2 (compare)
• Point 3 (compare)
• Point 4 (compare)
• Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
• Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
• Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
• Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
• Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
• Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
• Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
• Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

• Introduce the problem
• Provide background
• Describe your approach to solving it
• Define the problem precisely
• Describe why it’s important
• Indicate previous approaches to the problem
• Present your new approach, and why it’s better
• Apply the new method or theory to the problem
• Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
• Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
• Describe the implications
• Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
• Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
• Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
• Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
• Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
• Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
• Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
• Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
• This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
• This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
• It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
• Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

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Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows.  It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what  comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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• Write a College Essay
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• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Sample Multi-paragraph Essay

Throughout human history, the physical universe has often presented dangers to explorers. For example, when primitive humans left their tribal villages to search for food and water they risked death or injury from dangerous animals. Later, when people sailed the oceans in search of new lands for settlement or trade, many died in terrible storms. Similarly, outer space has many dangers, but it also has several unique challenges for explorers.

One of the challenges of outer space is that it is vacuum, which is a risk for several reasons. First, in a vacuum there is no atmosphere and no air pressure. Without air pressure, the human body has no oxygen to sustain itself. After too many minutes without oxygen, a person’s blood will gradually begin to boil. Moreover, without an atmosphere, the rays of the Sun can cause radiation poisoning. 

Another difficulty that is unique to outer space is the presence of meteors and micrometeorites. These are pieces of rock and metal that are left over from the formation of the solar system. Many of these objects travel at very high speeds. Under the Earth’s blanket or air people are usually protected from meteor impacts. However, in space, people and spaceships are vulnerable to collisions with meteors. It is true that the chance of meteor impacts is relatively slim, but if even a micrometeorite happens to collide with a spacecraft it could cause serious damage.

A third special challenge involved with the environment of space involves the fact that it is very difficult to find life-sustaining water off the Earth. For example, the planet Mercury, which is the closest to the Sun, is too hot to have water. Therefore, space travelers must take water from Earth if they want to visit Mercury. A similar situation exists on Venus, the second planet from the Sun. This planet is also too hot for water to exist. Similarly, the fourth planet, Mars, is too cold and dry, although there may be some water frozen at the north and south poles of the planet. There are other difficulties involved with space exploration, but these are three of the most important ones.

In conclusion, without adequate air pressure, the unprotected human body may be seriously harmed in outer space, which is a vacuum. In addition, meteors can threaten human life and damage spacecraft. Finally, the lack of water is space means that human life may have a difficult time surviving on other planets. As one can see, the challenges of space travel are different from terrestrial dangers.

How to Create a Multiple-Paragraph Essay

Michael Hicks 0

In addition to the article to follow, here’s a quick video that gives the very basics of how to compose this type of paper.

essaypop organizes the multiple-paragraph into three sections: The introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Let’s take a look at how students will compose each section.

The Introduction

When the essay is first accessed by students, they are taken to the introduction view that looks like this:

In the introduction, students create their hook and their thesis statement; they add pops (which introduce upcoming body paragraphs, and they write a short closer. You’ll notice that each time a student adds a pop , a new body paragraph appears in the header.

Here’s an example of an introduction that is starting to take shape:

This article from our style guide goes into more detail about the introduction:

Read the article: How to Write a Perfect Essay Introduction?

Body Paragraphs

When finished with the introduction, students can then begin composing their body paragraphs each of which they access by clicking in the header. There will be as many body paragraphs as there are pops in the introduction. A five-paragraph essay, for instance, will have three pops/body paragraphs:

Here is an example of a body paragraph that is starting to take shape:

This article from our style guide goes into more detail about body paragraphs:

The Conclusion

The essaypop method for crafting the essay’s conclusion will help students create substantive and reflective final paragraphs. The conclusion writing space is accessed by clicking “conclusion” in the header.

This article from our style guide goes into more detail about conclusions:

Any type of multiple-paragraph essay can be mastered using the essaypop writing frames.

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• Parts of a Paragraph; Multi-Paragraph Documents
• The Writing Process
• Definition of a Paragraph
• Rhetorical Modes; Review of Paragraphs
• Unity and Coherence in Essays
• Proving the Thesis/Critical Thinking
• Appropriate Language

Parts of a Paragraph

Topic sentence – purpose of a paragraph.

Unless you are writing specialized report such as a scientific research paper or a feasibility study that may otherwise show the purpose of a paragraph such as a heading , a well written paragraph must have a topic sentence which states what the paragraph is about.

Whether you are writing a paragraph for a specific assignment, an academic essay, a research paper, or a simple letter, each paragraph

The topic sentence should be the first sentence of the paragraph so that the reader knows what the paragraph is about.  The topic sentence in a body paragraph of an essay must be support for the thesis: a reason why the thesis is true or accurate.

The rest of the sentences in the paragraph of an essay support, elaborate, and/or further explain the topic sentence.

Here is an example of a paragraph:

The first sentence is the topic sentence. See how the rest of the sentences support, elaborate, and/or or further explain it.

Almost every aspect of modern life has been improved through convenience provided by technology.    From the alarm clock in the morning to the entertainment center at night, everyday life is improved.  The automatic coffee maker has the coffee ready at a certain time. Cars or public transportation bring people to work where computers operate at the push of a button.  At home, there’s the convenience of washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and power lawn mowers.  Modern technology has made life better with many conveniences.

Everything in this paragraph is about how modern life has been improved through convenience provided by technology.

Unity and Coherence

A paragraph must have unity.

All of the sentences of a particular paragraph must focus on one point to achieve one goal: to support the topic sentence.

A paragraph must have coherence.

The sentences must flow smoothly and logically from one to the next as they support the topic sentence.

The last sentence of the paragraph should restate the topic sentence to help achieve unity and coherence.

Here is an example with information that  does not  support the topic sentence;

Almost every aspect of modern life has been improved through convenience provided by modern technology.  From the alarm clock in the morning to the entertainment center at night, everyday life is improved. The automatic coffee maker has the coffee ready at a certain time. People are more concerned about health issues and good air quality, so they have started walking or riding a bike to work even though they have the option of using a car or public transportation.   There’s the convenience of washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and power lawn mowers.  Modern technology has made life better with many conveniences.

See how just one non-supporting sentence takes away from the effectiveness of the paragraph in showing how modern conveniences make life better since the unity and coherence are affected.  There is no longer unity among all the sentences.  The thought pattern is disjointed and the paragraph loses its coherence.

Here’s another example of a paragraph:

Not only has modern technology improved life through convenience, it has improved life through efficiency.  The time saved with machines doing most of the work leaves more time for people to develop their personal goals or to just relax.  Years ago, when doing laundry could take all day, there wasn’t time left over to read or go to school or even just to take a leisurely walk.  Nowadays, people have more time and energy than ever to simply enjoy their lives thanks to the efficiency of modern technology.

Note: See how all the sentences work together to support the point that technology has improved lives through efficiency.

Transitions – Words that Connect

Transitions  are words, groups of words, or sentences that connect one sentence to another or one paragraph to another.

They promote a logical flow from one idea to the next.

While they are not needed in every sentence, they are missed when they are omitted since the flow of thoughts becomes disjointed or even confusing.

There are different types of transitions such as the following:

• Time – before, after, during, in the meantime, nowadays
• Space – over, around, under
• Examples – for instance, one example is
• Comparison –  on the other hand, the opposing view
• Consequence – as a result, subsequently

These are just a few examples.  The idea is to paint a clear, logical connection between sentences and between paragraphs.

Here’s how transitions help make a paragraph unified and coherent:

Not only  has modern technology improved life through convenience, it has improved life through efficiency.  The time saved with machines doing most of the work leaves more time for people to develop their personal goals or to just relax.   Years ago,  when doing laundry could take all day, there wasn’t time left over to read or go to school or even just to take a leisurely walk.   Nowadays , people have more time and energy than ever to simply enjoy their lives thanks to the efficiency of modern technology.

Each part of a paragraph must support the topic sentence.  In addition, the sentences must flow logically from one to the other.

See how the following paragraph has ideas that don’t seem to belong:

Growing flowers is fun.  The sun rises in the morning and warms the soil.  Flowers come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors.  Sometimes, there is not enough rain.  Flowers also bloom during different times of the year.  Flowers need nutrients to grow strong and beautiful.  There are some children who like to pick the flowers. There are different growing seasons in different parts of the country.  Flowers that will grow high should be planted behind those that will not grow as high.  Some people let their dog’s leash extend allowing the dog to go into the flower beds which is not very nice. Designing a flower bed has to consider the different times the flowers will bloom.  A substitute for rainfall should be planned.  It is fun to grow flowers.

Here is a revised version with unity and coherence.  See how each sentence is clearly part of the whole which is to show how it is fun to grow flowers.

Growing flowers is fun.   Planning the garden is the first step, and it is part of the fun.  Flowers must be selected for their size, color, and time of bloom.  Selections should be made so that there is at least one type of flower blooming throughout the season and that taller flowers are behind shorter ones.  Meeting the challenges to assure growth such as with an irrigation system or hand watering and fertilizing when needed is also part of the fun.   It’s wonderful to check the garden every day to see the little green sprouts starting to appear.  It gives a great sense of accomplishment and joy to see the flowers in bloom.  It is fun to grow flowers.

An example of a paragraph from a business letter  which does  have unity and coherence:

There are several reasons to select my company to do this job.  We are a family owned and operated business and have been in business in this county for thirty-five years.  In addition to thousands of satisfied customers, we have proudly sponsored many community events and organizations.  All of our employees live in this county, and most have stayed with us for years.  We have successfully kept our overhead low and pass those savings onto our customers.  By far, we are the best company to complete this project.

Note: See how all the sentences work together to support the point that we are the best company to hire.

Here’s a version of the paragraph which  does not  have unity and coherence:

I am happy that the warm weather is finally here! It’s been a cold winter. There are several reasons to select my company to do this job.  By far, we are the best company to complete this project.  I have a large family, and in addition to having Sunday dinners, we work together in the company which has many satisfied customers.  Some of my employees take the bus to work, so I am concerned about our public transportation system.  We have proudly served our community, and we use cost saving methods to keep prices low.

An example of a paragraph in an inter-office memo

Beginning January 1, we will have a revised policy concerning new customers.  The updated intake form includes additional information, so please be sure to read through and complete each section.  Pay particular addition to the additional questions at the bottom as they are now required by the insurance company.  We would like to have e-mail addresses as well.  You can assure customers that we will not be sending them solicitations nor giving the list to any other business.  Be sure to fill in the information neatly and accurately. It is preferred that the information be entered directly into the computer although we realize there are times when that is not practical and a hard-copy form will have to be completed by hand.  Review the instructions on the back page of the form for more details on the revised policy for new customers.

Note:  See how all the sentences work together to support the point shown in the topic sentence that modern technology has expanded accessibility.

Closing/Transitional Statements

The last sentence of a paragraph should remind the reader of the point of the paragraph and transition into the next paragraph if there is one.  See how the last sentence, for example, in the above paragraph reminds the reader of what the paragraph is about: Review the instructions on the back page of the form for more details on the revised policy for new customers.

Multi-Paragraph Documents

Most paragraphs we see are part of a multi-paragraph document: newspaper and magazine articles, books, business letters and inter-office memorandum, “how-to” documents, and other informational documents.  Usually, there is an organization of the paragraphs in a specific way.  The opening paragraph generally gives some idea of what the document is about.  The middle paragraphs give more details about the specific point.  The last paragraph ends the writing, generally by summing up and repeating the point.

There are some context-specific documents that have moe clearly defined paragraphs which are something included as sections of the writing.  For example, a feasibility report might have paragraphs as follows: abstract and/or summary, introduction, discussion, conclusion, recommendations.

Paragraphs in Business Letters and Inter-Office Memorandum

Business letters and inter-office memoradums basically have the same organization of the content:  an introduction paragraph, paragraphs that prove or further explain, and a concluding paragraph which sums up and repeats the point.  A business letter, however, is generally written on company stationery and has the date and address block in the upper left, a Re: line, a salutation such as Dear Mr. Haller (although some are no longer using a formal salutation), and a complimentary closing such as Sincerely.    An inter-office memorandum is generally written on plain paper, sometimes with the company logo as part of the template, lines with To:, From:, Date:, and Re: in the upper left, and no complimentary closing.

Paragraphs in Informational Documents and Academic Essays

Informational documents.

This refers to groups of writings that are designed to give information about a topic or position on a topic.  While they all include a specific thesis (point), have an introduction and concluding paragraph, and have paragraphs that proof or explain the point, there can be wide variety on where the thesis is expressed and the ancillary information presented that is supplemental to the thesis.  These are sometimes called essays.  However,  academic  essays do have a very specific organizational pattern.

Academic Essays

The introduction paragraph and the concluding paragraph of an essay are different from a general paragraph.  An introduction contains general background information on a topic and leads into a thesis statement.  The sentences with background information are not really in support of the thesis, but they are relevant and do logically flow into the thesis.  In other words, there must be unity and coherence in an introduction paragraph as well.

While the body paragraph of an academic is the same as a general paragraph in that they have a topic sentence and sentences that support it, the topic sentence must be a reason why the thesis of the essay.  Body paragraphs should be clearly support for the thesis and not contain any extraneous information.

A concluding paragraph sums up the proof and restates the thesis. Some instructors ask for a statement drawing an implication of the information presented instead of or in addition to a restatement of the thesis.  In either case, while a concluding paragraph as with the introduction paragraph does not start with a topic sentence and have the rest of the sentences support the topic sentence, the concluding paragraph is similar in that the summary of the proof ties directly into the thesis or statement of general implication.  There are not extraneous, off-topic sentences.

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Multi-Paragraph Essay Templates

Customize multi-paragraph essay templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is a Multi-Paragraph Essay Worksheet?

These worksheets are a valuable suite of educational resources crafted to assist students in learning, planning, and constructing their work. With the aid of our multi-paragraph graphic organizer, students can easily begin to prepare writing and brainstorm ideas for each body paragraph.

Our worksheets follow a structured approach to the sometimes difficult writing process, breaking it down into manageable steps piece by piece. This process encompasses outlining, organizing thoughts, and writing sentences. A key feature of these worksheets is the guide on crafting compelling topic sentences, a crucial element in any essay.

The primary objective of these worksheets is to boost students' writing abilities, foster critical thinking, and empower them to create well-structured, coherent, and persuasive essays.

Understanding Multi-Paragraph Essay Examples

In-depth understanding with three-paragraph essays.

Our sample worksheets offer a solid foundation for students new to essay writing. These samples display how to structure their essays, begin writing, and cogently communicate their main ideas. Every sample showcases a precise thesis statement, comprehensive background information, and well-articulated topic sentences for each body paragraph. This compact format allows students to grasp the basic structure of essay writing.

Advancing Skills with Four-Paragraph Essays

The 4 paragraph essay outline encourages students to delve deeper into their topic by introducing an additional body paragraph to expand on their key points. The outline aids students in organizing their brainstormed ideas into a logical sequence, crafting a coherent and persuasive argument.

Mastering the Art with Five-Paragraph Essays

Our worksheets simplify the process of teaching kids to write a well-structured five-paragraph essay. These resources guide students in formulating a clear thesis statement, a robust controlling idea, and well-crafted topic sentences for each section. Further, they provide guidance on developing supporting details and composing a powerful concluding sentence that will leave a lasting impact on the reader.

By understanding and utilizing our examples, students can sequentially enhance their writing skills, moving from a simple three-paragraph essay to a more complex five-paragraph essay with ease. This progression helps them gain confidence and proficiency in their writing abilities, setting them up for success in their academic journeys.

Activities for Using a Multi-Paragraph Essay Outline in Class

Incorporating outlines into your classroom activities is an effective way to teach students how to write compelling essays. Here are some engaging activities that utilize the 3 paragraph essay outline and the other outlines to help students hone their writing skills:

• Group Outlining Activity: Divide students into small groups and provide them with a topic. Have each group collaborate to create an outline that includes a thesis statement, topic sentences, and supporting details. Encourage them to discuss their ideas and refine their outlines together.
• Peer Review Sessions: Have students complete a 3 paragraph essay outline individually, then pair them up to exchange outlines. Instruct them to review their partner's outline, offering constructive feedback on the clarity of the statement, topic sentences, and concluding sentences.
• In-Class Essay Writing: Assign a prompt to your students and give them a set amount of time to create an outline and draft an essay. This activity will help students practice writing an essay under time constraints, simulating real-world testing situations.
• Outline Expansion Challenge: Provide students with an outline and challenge them to expand it into a five paragraph essay outline by adding more body paragraphs. This activity encourages students to think critically about how to develop and support their main ideas in a larger essay format.
• Thesis Statement Workshop: Teach students how to create strong thesis statements for their essays. Have them practice by writing several different thesis statements for a single topic, then discuss as a class which ones are most effective and why.

Don't forget to explore our amazing resources like persuasive essay worksheets, graphic novel templates , outline worksheet templates , and critical analysis essay outlines . These tools will further enhance your students' writing skills and help them become expert writers.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Multi-Paragraph Essay

• Understand the Assignment: Before you begin writing, make sure you fully understand the assignment. What is the prompt asking you to do? What is your purpose for writing - to persuade, inform, or entertain? Knowing your objective will guide your writing process.
• Brainstorm Ideas: Once you understand the assignment, start brainstorming ideas for your essay. What main points do you want to make? What evidence can you use to support these points? Jot down your ideas and start thinking about how they might fit together.
• Create a Thesis Statement: This is the controlling idea of your essay. It should clearly state your main point or argument in a single sentence. Make sure your thesis statement is strong, specific, and can be backed up with evidence.
• Develop an Outline: Use a graphic organizer or outline to plan the structure of your essay. Start with your introduction, which should include your opening statement. Then, outline your body paragraphs, each of which should focus on a single main point that supports your thesis. Finally, plan your conclusion, which should summarize your main points and restate your main point in a new way.
• Write the Introduction: The introduction should hook the reader's interest, provide some background information on your topic, and present your main idea.
• Write the Body Paragraphs: Each of these should start with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph. This should be followed by supporting details, which can include evidence, examples, or explanations. Finally, each should end with a concluding sentence that wraps up the point and transitions to the next section.
• Write the Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis in a new way. It should not introduce any new information, but instead bring closure to the essay.
• Revise and Edit: After writing your essay, take the time to revise and edit. Check for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Make sure each section transitions smoothly to the next. Look for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors and correct them.
• Proofread: Finally, proofread your essay one last time before submitting it. This is your chance to catch any small mistakes you might have missed during the editing process.

How to Make a Multi-Paragraph Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific questions and images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your worksheet, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Paragraph Essay Worksheets

What is a multi-paragraph essay.

It is an essay that is made up of more than one paragraph. It typically includes an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph in the essay serves a specific purpose and is structured to flow smoothly and logically from one to the next.

How many paragraphs is a multi-paragraph essay?

While a multi-paragraph essay can technically be any essay with more than one paragraph, it often refers to essays with three to five paragraphs. The exact number of paragraphs can vary depending on the assignment or the specific point the writer is trying to make.

How can a multi-paragraph essay graphic organizer help my students?

These worksheets provide a structured approach to the essay writing process. They help students organize their ideas, develop strong thesis statements, craft compelling topic sentences, and write effective supporting and concluding sentences. The worksheets also break down the essay writing process into manageable steps, making it less overwhelming for students.

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Writing and Revising a Multi-paragraph Definition Essay

LESSON In this lesson, you will learn how to write a definition essay A writing that explains a term or concept using a variety of techniques such as research, statistics, historical and popular references, comparisons, abstractions, and other ideas. , which is a common assignment in the college classroom. It is a tool for instructors to measure your understanding of a subject. While this type of essay A short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. may include both formal definitions The meaning of a word that consists of three parts: the term, the part of speech to which it belongs, and all the traits or characteristics that set it apart from every other item in that class. and informal definitions The meaning of a word that is explained using known words or examples to define an unknown term. These definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced by or , in other words , or like . , overall it falls in the category of an extended definition The meaning of an idea or word that has components of both informal and formal definitions, but is presented in a longer, paragraph format. . For this essay, you will use the following six steps to develop an introduction The first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis. , thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work. , and supporting paragraphs A selection of a writing that is made up of sentences formed around one main point. Paragraphs are set apart by a new line and sometimes indentation. (you will not be expected to write a conclusion in this lesson):

• Understand the assignment.
• Gather ideas.
• Create a working thesis.
• Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
• Write an introduction.
• Revise your essay.

Step 1: Understand the assignment.

You could write the most beautiful essay and still fail an assignment because you did not understand it. Be sure to read your syllabus A guide to a class that includes the instructor's expectations, the topics the class will cover, and the texts that are used. and assignment guideline sheets so that you know what type of essay you need to write. If you wait to look at these until after you finish your essay, you may find that you will need to start the assignment all over again or at least revise The process of making changes to a work by editing and proofreading it to improve, correct, and increase clarity. it significantly.

Step 2: Gather ideas.

The next step in developing an essay is knowing what your topic The subject of a reading. is and gathering ideas about it. It is a good idea to research your topic to gain some ideas of how you want to approach the topic. Then, brainstorm ways to help someone else understand what the term you are trying to define means. Outlining A preliminary plan for a piece of a writing, often in the form of a list. It should include a topic, audience, purpose, thesis statement, and main and supporting points. , freewriting A prewriting technique where the author begins writing without regard to spelling or grammar about ideas, topics, or even characters, descriptions of events, and settings. Often the writer will freewrite for a set period of time. The objective is to develop a storyline through the writing process itself. , clustering A prewriting technique where the author creates an informal visual layout of possible ideas, grouping them together. The objective is to create visual clusters of information on which to base a writing. , mind mapping A prewriting technique where the author brainstorms and writes down his or her ideas by grouping and connecting ideas into a type of visual map. , and listing A prewriting technique where the author writes down ideas in categorized lists in order to gather ideas. are all good ways to develop ideas. As you gather ideas, try to think in new ways, searching for new and interesting thoughts. Remember, your instructor will want to know how you define your topic, so while reading others' ideas is a good place to start, in the end, it is your definition that counts.

Step 3: Create a working thesis.

After you have gathered some ideas, construct a tentative thesis statement An early form of a thesis statement that can be developed into a more formal thesis statement by creating supporting details. . Remember, your thesis may change as you write. If all your supporting details Statements within a reading that tie directly to major details that support the main idea. These can be provided in examples, statistics, anecdotes, definitions, descriptions, or comparisons within the work. seem to point to a main idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. other than your thesis, feel free to adjust your thesis accordingly. In a definition essay, your thesis statement A brief statement that identifies a writer's thoughts, opinions, or conclusions about a topic. Thesis statements bring unity to a piece of writing, giving it a focus and a purpose. You can use three questions to help form a thesis statement: What is my topic? What am I trying to say about that topic? Why is this important to me or my reader? should include the term, idea, or concept that you are trying to define and the main point that you want to make about it.

Step 4: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.

Once you have a tentative thesis, you need to support it. Pick one or two of the ideas you created in Step 2 that best relate to your thesis and use them as your major supporting details Statements within a reading that tie directly to the work's main idea. These can be provided in examples, statistics, anecdotes, definitions, descriptions, or comparisons within the work. . These will make up the topic sentences A sentence that contains the controlling idea for an entire paragraph and is typically the first sentence of the paragraph. of your supporting paragraphs. If all the ideas from Step 2 relate equally, consider choosing the ones that you know the most about and that interest you. Writing tends to be easier when you have a better grasp of a topic and enjoy writing about it. Once you have chosen your major supporting details, you may need to do some more brainstorming to develop the minor supporting details Smaller statements within a reading that tie directly to major details. for each paragraph. Remember that the overall goal is to show how these ideas relate to the thesis.

Step 5: Write an introduction.

Once you revise your thesis statement so it aligns with the topic sentences in the supporting paragraphs, you are ready to develop your introduction. Begin with an attention-getting hook In writing, a device used to grab a readers' attention, often in the form of interesting, surprising, or provocative information. , give some background on your topic in a general way, and then incorporate your thesis statement into the flow of the paragraph. An introductory paragraph The first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis. has many important roles. It must engage the reader, set the tone The feeling or attitude that a writer expresses toward a topic. The words the writer chooses express this tone. Examples of tones can include: objective, biased, humorous, optimistic, and cynical, among many others. , provide background information, and present the thesis.

Step 6: Revise your essay.

Once you write your introduction, you are ready to revise your essay. Remember that revision involves adding or deleting ideas in each paragraph and possibly reorganizing the order of the paragraphs themselves. You will edit The process of improving a writing by reviewing content and making changes that affect its overall meaning and clarity. and proofread The process of carefully searching a writing draft for mistakes at the sentence- and word-level in order to correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. at the sentence level when you are done revising. To revise your essay, ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I followed the assignment?

(Should my details be more relevant to my topic?)

• Is this a definition essay? Have I defined a term in some way?

(Have I shown how specific details apply to my topic?)

• Does the body The main portion of a writing that contains the main ideas and supporting details of the writing. This is where the author's purpose and thesis statement are supported and/or developed. of the essay support my thesis?

(Are these details factual and pertinent?)

• Is all my support relevant?

(Notice where there are notes to myself to add specifics for relevance.)

• Do I need more or less support?

(Check to add material or delete any details that do not support the thesis.)

• Have I included the transitions Tying two events, passages, or pieces of information together in a smooth way. In writing, transitions are sometimes called links. necessary to guide the reader from point to point?

(Check to improve the transition between the introductory paragraph and paragraph two.)

• Does my introduction hook the reader and provide adequate background and introduction to my topic?

(Is the hook relevant and interesting enough to grab the reader's attention?)

Revising is almost as important as drafting the essay. It is in the revision stage that writers deepen their thinking and refine their writing. If possible, allow plenty of time between drafting and revising so that you bring a fresh view to your draft. This fresh look can help you to spot an unsupported thesis or places where you may have wandered from your main point. This is also the time to check your sources again for accuracy and relevance, and check grammar, spelling, and punctuation Marks such as such as a comma (,), period (.), question mark (?), and exclamation mark (!), among others, that help break a writing into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Different types of punctuation marks give the reader different impressions of the writer’s purpose in that sentence. .

Being able to define a term or an idea is a critical skill that you will continually use both in your academic and professional careers. In college, being able to adequately describe a new concept is one way that you will demonstrate mastery of a subject to your instructors. If you take a political science class, the instructor will expect you to be able explain various aspects of government in order to successfully complete the course. In a professional setting, defining terms or jargon to people outside of your field will build their confidence in you. For instance, doctors and nurses need to be able to explain illnesses, procedures, or medications with unfamiliar names like "insulin resistance" or "androgenetic alopecia" to their patients. If they cannot, their patients may be confused or go elsewhere for healthcare.

Notice how the steps listed below are followed to develop a three-paragraph essay defining modern-day slavery, including an introductory paragraph.

The assignment is to write three paragraphs that define slavery as it exists in the world today. One of the paragraphs needs to be an introduction.

Thoughts about slavery:

• Many people immediately think of the slavery that existed in the southern part of the United States before the Civil War, but this is not the only type of slavery that exists.
• Other types of slavery: modern day sex slaves; human trafficking; poor people enslaved by debt; people whose need for money enslaves them.
• Being compensated fairly and having personal freedom is not slavery.

Here are some possible thesis statements for this assignment:

• While most people think that slavery was abolished in 1865, slavery is still alive, although operating in less obvious ways.
• In the United States, human trafficking is a form of slavery and occurs despite law enforcement's efforts to stop it.
• One reason there are so many slaves today is because they provide cheap labor that brings high economic returns for individuals, groups, and companies.
• With thirty million people in slavery around the world today, the United Nations must take responsibility for enforcing laws of human rights and dignity.

Chosen thesis: While most people think that slavery was abolished in 1865, slavery is still alive, although operating in less obvious ways.

Brainstorm results for "modern slavery":

• Child labor
• Bonded labor
• Debt bondage among migrant workers
• Adopted "maids" and mail-order brides

If the topic about adopted "maids" and mail-order brides, a type of slavery called "domestic servitude," is the focus of your essay, look for details that support the concept of involuntary labor as being a form of slavery. Make a list of your ideas as you read for both content The text in a writing that includes facts, thoughts, and ideas. The information that forms the body of the work. and approaches. Here are some suggestions:

• Countries with and without policies regarding involuntary servitude.
• A compelling story of one person's experience.
• Specific statistics and facts that outline the scope of the problem.
• Adopting children with the intent to use them as slaves.
• Purchasing brides from another country with the intent to use them as slaves.

Now write one or two supporting paragraphs.

The overwhelming majority of the millions of migrant domestic workers forced into labor are women and girls. They hope to migrate from developing countries to first-world countries. According to a report from the United Nations and the United States Department of State, domestic workers typically work without contracts or legal protection. These factors become worse when combined with the hardships these enslaved workers face. Because the migrants live behind closed doors, it is not always possible to know what is going on or how to protect these workers from abuse.

Sometimes the "employer-owners" punish their domestic servants. For other migrants, who feel the desire to find better economic opportunities, they are sometimes offered free travel to another country but through illegal methods. Then, because they came to a country illegally, these women often risk becoming forced labor victims. The U.S. government has even set up safeguards for foreign workers because it recognizes that this is a form of slavery. Unfortunately, the system does not always work, especially if the women immigrated to the country through illegal channels.

The introductory paragraph below begins with a real anecdote A brief, interesting story that writers often use to demonstrate a point within a work. of someone forced into involuntary servitude. This story and the information following it will provide readers with the necessary context they will need in order to understand the thesis. It also provides an engaging hook for the essay.

A European couple and their three children waited at the airport to welcome the 15-year-old girl arriving from a poor country. They told her that she would go to school and take care of the children. Instead, she worked from 5 a.m. until late at night and then slept in a cubbyhole. She received no schooling and was told payment was put in the bank for her. After 12 years, she discovered that no payments were ever made. With difficulty, she found help to leave this situation and start her life over. This is just one girl's story of a life of involuntary servitude—a very real form of slavery. While slavery is outlawed today in every country, it is still prevalent and often hidden so that it is difficult to correct. Unfortunately, it is only through stories of people escaping this type of slavery that the great harm it causes can be exposed. With 30 million people in slavery around the world today, the United Nations must take responsibility for enforcing laws of human rights and dignity.

To revise your essay, ask yourself the following questions:

(Should my details be more relevant to current forms of slavery?)

(Have I shown how specific details apply to the general topic of slavery?)

• Does the body of the essay support my thesis?
• Have I included the transitions necessary to guide the reader from point to point?

(Is the story of the young girl interesting enough to grab the reader's attention?)

Once you have revised your essay, be sure to edit and proofread at the sentence and word level, checking for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Read the essay below, and see how it was improved from the earlier versions above. Place your mouse over each highlighted word or sentence to see explanations for the revisions.

A French couple and their three children waited at the airport to welcome the 15-year-old girl arriving from Togo . She was prepared to go to school and take care of the children. Instead, she worked continuously from 5 a.m. until late at night and then slept in a cubbyhole. She received no schooling and was told payment was put in the bank for her. After 12 years, she discovered there was no payment made. With difficulty, she found help to leave this terrible situation and start her life over (Mantouvalou 2) . This is just one girl's story of a life of involuntary servitude—a very real form of slavery, for slavery applies to any situation in which a person is not in control of his or her life. While slavery is outlawed today in every country, it is still prevalent and often hidden in informal workplaces. Unfortunately, it is only through these stories from emancipated involuntary domestic slaves that the great harm this form of slavery causes can be exposed. While most people think that slavery was abolished in 1865, slavery is still alive, although operating in less obvious ways.

While slaves in the early Americas generally were limited to those from Africa, today the overwhelming majority of the 12.3 million (2009) migrant domestic workers forced into labor are women and girls from a variety of second- and third-world countries. They start out hoping to migrate from unstable situations in developing countries to first-world countries where they believe that life can be better. According to the "Involuntary Domestic Servitude" 2013 report from the United States Department of State, as well as the United Nations "Trafficking in Persons Palermo Protocol" (2010), domestic workers typically work without contracts or legal protection. These factors become worse when combined with the hardships these enslaved workers face that include social isolation, a lack of privacy, no autonomy, and no pay .   Hidden away in informal work settings , it is difficult for regulating bodies to make inspections. Because of these circumstances, it's not always possible to know what is going on or how to protect these workers from abuse.

These modern day slaves endure abuse from their "employer-owners," who may take away their passports, withhold wages, prevent any contact with friends or family, and threaten deportation or even subject the slaves to physical and sexual abuse if they do not perform their domestic service . Other migrants who wish to find better economic opportunities are sometimes offered free travel to another country but through illegal methods. Then, because they came to a country illegally, these women often risk becoming forced labor victims. While the U.S. government has set up safeguards to try and protect these women so that all payment mechanisms are transparent and administered fairly, the system does not always work if the women came through illegal channels. They may be blackmailed when they try to report the abuse to law enforcement agencies. For these reasons, there is a vital need for the governments to be aware of involuntary domestic servitude and protect the powerless .

Follow the steps listed below to develop a three- to four-paragraph essay defining love. Be sure to include a thesis and an introductory paragraph.

Sample Answer

The assignment is to write three to four paragraphs that define love. One of the paragraphs needs to be an introduction.

First thoughts about love:

• Dictionary definition: an intense feeling of deep affection.
• My grandparents were married for over fifty years.
• I just read a story about a couple who met in college and were engaged to marry. The guy was injured in a car crash and now must use a wheelchair. His girlfriend decided to go through with the wedding and now is his primary caretaker.
• A past boyfriend said that he loved me but then he cheated on me.
• I think I heard some research that couples in arranged marriages are happier in their marriages and less likely to divorce.
• I have a two-year-old child that I love very much even though I don't get much sleep and he gets into so much trouble.

Thesis: True love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.

Many romantic films begin with a cute moment, a moment when the couple-to-be interacts and foreshadows the love that will develop quickly, likely in less than a week. However, this is not an accurate depiction of love. In fact, it seems that strong romantic feelings are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Instead, it is the commitment that people bring to a marriage that is better at foreshadowing marital happiness.

Parenting also demonstrates that love is less about feelings and more about decisions. Most parents love their children. This seems like an obvious statement, but a closer examination of parenting will demonstrate how amazing it is that parents actually do love their children. From the moment their first child is born, parents get little sleep, change endless diapers, and spend hours feeding, bathing, and caring for their little baby. It is not a glamorous position, but parents still love their children, even when their children cannot or do not respond in kind.

The Beatles famously declared, "All you need is love... Love is all you need." However, true love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.

Step 6: Revise the essay.

The Beatles famously declared, "All you need is love...Love is all you need." However nice this may sound, true and enduring love is not a feeling. It is a decision that one must make each and every day.

The 2003 film, Love Actually , tells the story of how several different couples came to fall in love. There is a heartbroken British author who falls for a Portuguese housekeeper in France in just a matter of days, despite not speaking the same language. He goes back home to London, enrolls in Portuguese lessons and then returns to propose. In the meantime, she has learned to speak English and is able to accept his proposal with a resounding "Yes!" We are left to believe that the couple will live "happily ever after" and have a bunch of beautiful children.

As cute as this story may be, it is not an accurate depiction of love. In fact, it seems that people's feelings before marriage are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Psychologist Robert Epstein conducted a number of studies that compared couples in India who married for love to couples who were in arranged marriages. These studies showed that, at first, those who married for love had much stronger feelings than those who had arranged marriages. However, over time, those who married for love felt that their love tended to decrease, while the love in arranged marriages tended to increase. Surprisingly after ten years, the love felt in arranged marriages was twice as strong as those who married for love. When it comes to love, it seems that strong romantic feelings are not a great indicator of marital happiness. Instead, it is the commitment that people bring to a marriage that is better at foreshadowing marital happiness.

Parenting also demonstrates that love is less about feelings and more about decisions. Most parents love their children. This seems like an obvious statement, but a closer examination of parenting will demonstrate how amazing it is that parents love their children. From the moment their first child is born, parents get little sleep, change endless diapers, and spend hours feeding, bathing, and caring for their little baby. It is not a glamorous position, but parents still love their children even when their children cannot or do not respond in kind.

I think that I might need to write a definition essay in any class with unfamiliar terms like sociology, political science, or criminal justice. I also think that I might need to include aspects of a definition essay into other essays where I might need to explain a concept before I develop an essay around it.

Instructors want to see that I understand an idea. If I give them the dictionary definition, all I show my teacher is that I can look up definitions and not that I know what a term or idea is.

Copyright ©2022 The NROC Project

What this handout is about

This handout will help you understand how paragraphs are formed, how to develop stronger paragraphs, and how to completely and clearly express your ideas.

What is a paragraph?

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116). Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea. In this handout, we will refer to this as the “controlling idea,” because it controls what happens in the rest of the paragraph.

How do I decide what to put in a paragraph?

Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must first decide on an argument and a working thesis statement for your paper. What is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader? The information in each paragraph must be related to that idea. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your thesis and the information in each paragraph. A working thesis functions like a seed from which your paper, and your ideas, will grow. The whole process is an organic one—a natural progression from a seed to a full-blown paper where there are direct, familial relationships between all of the ideas in the paper.

The decision about what to put into your paragraphs begins with the germination of a seed of ideas; this “germination process” is better known as brainstorming . There are many techniques for brainstorming; whichever one you choose, this stage of paragraph development cannot be skipped. Building paragraphs can be like building a skyscraper: there must be a well-planned foundation that supports what you are building. Any cracks, inconsistencies, or other corruptions of the foundation can cause your whole paper to crumble.

So, let’s suppose that you have done some brainstorming to develop your thesis. What else should you keep in mind as you begin to create paragraphs? Every paragraph in a paper should be :

• Unified : All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single controlling idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph).
• Clearly related to the thesis : The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119).
• Coherent : The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119).
• Well-developed : Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph’s controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119).

How do I organize a paragraph?

There are many different ways to organize a paragraph. The organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the paragraph. Below are a few possibilities for organization, with links to brief examples:

• Narration : Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish. ( See an example. )
• Description : Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like. Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic. ( See an example. )
• Process : Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow a sequence—first, second, third. ( See an example. )
• Classification : Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic. ( See an example. )
• Illustration : Give examples and explain how those examples support your point. (See an example in the 5-step process below.)

Illustration paragraph: a 5-step example

From the list above, let’s choose “illustration” as our rhetorical purpose. We’ll walk through a 5-step process for building a paragraph that illustrates a point in an argument. For each step there is an explanation and example. Our example paragraph will be about human misconceptions of piranhas.

Step 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence

Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph’s controlling idea.

Controlling idea and topic sentence — Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans.

Step 2. Elaborate on the controlling idea

Paragraph development continues with an elaboration on the controlling idea, perhaps with an explanation, implication, or statement about significance. Our example offers a possible explanation for the pervasiveness of the myth.

Elaboration — This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media.

Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples)

Paragraph development progresses with an example (or more) that illustrates the claims made in the previous sentences.

Example — For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman.

Step 4. Explain the example(s)

The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence. The explanation should demonstrate the value of the example as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.

Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples that the writer deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence.

Explanation for example — Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear.

Notice that the example and explanation steps of this 5-step process (steps 3 and 4) can be repeated as needed. The idea is that you continue to use this pattern until you have completely developed the main idea of the paragraph.

Step 5. Complete the paragraph’s idea or transition into the next paragraph

The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information to the larger paper, or you can make a concluding point for this example. You might, however, simply transition to the next paragraph.

Sentences for completing a paragraph — While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Finished paragraph

Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans. This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media. For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman. Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear. While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Troubleshooting paragraphs

Problem: the paragraph has no topic sentence.

Imagine each paragraph as a sandwich. The real content of the sandwich—the meat or other filling—is in the middle. It includes all the evidence you need to make the point. But it gets kind of messy to eat a sandwich without any bread. Your readers don’t know what to do with all the evidence you’ve given them. So, the top slice of bread (the first sentence of the paragraph) explains the topic (or controlling idea) of the paragraph. And, the bottom slice (the last sentence of the paragraph) tells the reader how the paragraph relates to the broader argument. In the original and revised paragraphs below, notice how a topic sentence expressing the controlling idea tells the reader the point of all the evidence.

Original paragraph

Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Revised paragraph

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Once you have mastered the use of topic sentences, you may decide that the topic sentence for a particular paragraph really shouldn’t be the first sentence of the paragraph. This is fine—the topic sentence can actually go at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph; what’s important is that it is in there somewhere so that readers know what the main idea of the paragraph is and how it relates back to the thesis of your paper. Suppose that we wanted to start the piranha paragraph with a transition sentence—something that reminds the reader of what happened in the previous paragraph—rather than with the topic sentence. Let’s suppose that the previous paragraph was about all kinds of animals that people are afraid of, like sharks, snakes, and spiders. Our paragraph might look like this (the topic sentence is bold):

Like sharks, snakes, and spiders, piranhas are widely feared. Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless . Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Problem: the paragraph has more than one controlling idea

If a paragraph has more than one main idea, consider eliminating sentences that relate to the second idea, or split the paragraph into two or more paragraphs, each with only one main idea. Watch our short video on reverse outlining to learn a quick way to test whether your paragraphs are unified. In the following paragraph, the final two sentences branch off into a different topic; so, the revised paragraph eliminates them and concludes with a sentence that reminds the reader of the paragraph’s main idea.

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. A number of South American groups eat piranhas. They fry or grill the fish and then serve them with coconut milk or tucupi, a sauce made from fermented manioc juices.

Problem: transitions are needed within the paragraph

You are probably familiar with the idea that transitions may be needed between paragraphs or sections in a paper (see our handout on transitions ). Sometimes they are also helpful within the body of a single paragraph. Within a paragraph, transitions are often single words or short phrases that help to establish relationships between ideas and to create a logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. This is especially likely to be true within paragraphs that discuss multiple examples. Let’s take a look at a version of our piranha paragraph that uses transitions to orient the reader:

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, except in two main situations, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ instinct is to flee, not attack. But there are two situations in which a piranha bite is likely. The first is when a frightened piranha is lifted out of the water—for example, if it has been caught in a fishing net. The second is when the water level in pools where piranhas are living falls too low. A large number of fish may be trapped in a single pool, and if they are hungry, they may attack anything that enters the water.

In this example, you can see how the phrases “the first” and “the second” help the reader follow the organization of the ideas in the paragraph.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Lunsford, Andrea. 2008. The St. Martin’s Handbook: Annotated Instructor’s Edition , 6th ed. New York: St. Martin’s.

Rosen, Leonard J., and Laurence Behrens. 2003. The Allyn & Bacon Handbook , 5th ed. New York: Longman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Putting the Pieces Together: Tips for Writing Prompts

Writing prompts: the instructions.

A writing prompt in WRIT will ask you to consider the same set of questions each week. The prompt instructions remind you that there are three very important components that should be included in your response for optimal success. Below is the standard prompt instructions that you’ll see each week in WRIT:

Write a multi-paragraph response (in essay format: introduction, body, conclusion) to the article below.

Your response should accurately summarize the author’s main argument AND critically respond to it.

You may choose to agree with the author’s argument, to disagree with it, or to partially agree/disagree with it.

Your essay should also consider at least one objection a reader might have to your argument. You may respond to this objection in different ways. For example, you may argue against the objection, or you may acknowledge that the objection is a good point and incorporate it into your argument. It’s your choice.

Failing to address each of these goals will significantly reduce your ability to respond appropriately and completely to the prompt.  Don’t worry, though! In WRIT, you’ll learn how to respond to each of the requirements listed in the instructions above; it will just take a bit of time and practice.

Prompt Writing Guide

When you study a writing prompt closely and use it as the basis for your outline, you will be better equipped to address the goals of your own response.  It’s important to do the following when reading and responding to a prompt:

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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