What is a paragraph, really? Is it a feeling? A formula? Something in between?
When does a paragraph begin and end?
How many sentences are in a paragraph?
What should the content be, and how should it be arranged?
An Idea and its Details
Here is the basic structure of a paragraph, as it used to be taught:
Sentence 1 introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Sentence 2 is a supporting detail. Sentence 3 is a supporting detail. Sentence 4 is a supporting detail. Sentence 5 summarizes the idea and its details.
This five-sentence paragraph should be no more than 100 to 200 words. It doesn’t require a full three sentences in the midsection every time. There could be only one or two, depending on the content.
Good Content: W5 + H
The Five W’s + H is a quick way to focus and clarify your content. They are:
- Who?
- What?
- When?
- Where?
- Why?
- How?
Sentence 1: Who or what and the main action that happened, was caused, or was taken.
Middle sentences (2, 3, 4): When, where, and how.
Sentence 5: Combine the who/what and the when/where/how in a way that points to the main action in your next paragraph.
First and Last Paragraphs
The first paragraph of your student paper should act as a summary of your topic. There are three main types of opening, depending on the nature of the assignment. These can be set up as statements or as the questions you intend to address.
- Analytical (compare and contrast, define and measure):
- The who/what that you intend to measure
- “How” you intend to measure them against each other
- “Why” you chose to measure them in this way
- Argumentative (make a case for or against something):
- The who/what you are arguing for or against
- “How” you intend to present your case (within what boundaries or limits, such as time, geography, or other what/where/when considerations)
- “Why” the argument has the boundaries and limitations you’ve mentioned
- Subjective (reflection, narrative):
- Who/what topic you’re reflecting on
- Outline the boundaries and limitations of your reflection (who/what/where/when/how)
- The purpose or “why” (value statement) of your experience. This is not an opinion piece. It’s a record of experience. Why is it meaningful?
The last paragraph should also act as a summary of your topic, but this is where almost all the “why” belongs. Why are your comparisons effective? Why is your conclusion valid? Why is this experience valuable? In order to show this, summarize the “where/when/how” of your paper.
When you’re practicing to make your writing stronger, it may work best to write your first paragraph in question form and your last paragraph as the answers to those questions. This will allow you to assemble your paper more quickly.
Example Opening
Let’s use Genesis, because the wording is very simple and clear, even though its structure is sophisticated. Here’s the opening of Genesis 1, arranged using this paragraph format instead of verse by verse.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Gen. 1:1-2
The first statement is the big idea of a pre-existent God creating everything. Not very much detail is given in the midsection—just one sentence with two clauses (two ideas that form a complete concept). The paragraph’s big idea is restated in the last sentence, but with a further detail that’s based on the midsection of the paragraph.
Paragraphs begin where a new idea begins, but that idea should be related to the previous paragraph.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Gen. 1:3-5
In this paragraph, there are five sentences. The first one expands on the big idea of Paragraph 1: It tells more about how God created the heavens and the earth.
The next three sentences give the sub-details of how God created light. The last sentence tells us the result of the process.
Example Closing
The closing of the Genesis 1 narrative occurs from Gen. 1:31 to Gen. 2:3.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 1:31-2:3
The power and narrative force of the Genesis record (and the entire biblical narrative arc) are on full display, here, as the great theme of the Bible forms the conclusion of this section.
This is a subjective essay: God is the “who,” and the experience described is that of the trinitarian being. He describes being the pre-existent reality, being one and yet more than one person, creating all things, and resting from His good works. The reader is meant to draw their own conclusions about the story. No argument is given, no comparisons are made. The arguments, comparisons and contrasts we bring are our own. The writing is a mirror for the reader to look into.
However, like this subjective example, an analytical or argumentative paper is not just a revisiting of your classroom materials. It should use the W5 + H, structured by the unique mind and experiences God gave you, to provide perspective.
In undergrad writing, that perspective is not meant to expand on your professor’s knowledge. Even a minor contribution to the field is reserved for the Master’s level. You have the grace of time to learn, first.
Aim to expand your classmates’ understanding while demonstrating that you’ve absorbed, further researched, and thought about the W5 + H your professor has presented in your course.
Self-Evaluation:
Can you name the W5 + H?
Can you locate the W5 + H in the sentences you’ve written for past assignments?
Can you make a paragraph outline of words that show a main point, details that expand upon it, and a summary of how it all works together? Example:
- Who + action: God created
- What: the heavens and the earth
- When: in the beginning
WhereWhy- How: God said so, and it happened
Can you expand your paragraph outline into approximately five sentences of no more than 15 words each?
Words: 1124 | Time to Read: 6 minutes | Time to write: 3 hours