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Writing Sentences


You may have seen the terms ‘fragment’ or ‘fragmented sentence’ when you have done something wrong in Microsoft Word, followed by a blue scribbly line under your text, this denotes a format inconsistency. One of the reasons could be that your sentence isn’t complete and requires a subject and verb.

 

Another method of improving your sentences in academic writing is to ensure the first sentence of your paragraph has a 'topic' and a 'controlling idea'. Read on to find out more.

 

Topic sentences


The topic sentence or focus sentence is often regarded as the most crucial sentence in a paragraph and is usually the first sentence. Topic sentences set the topic and tone of the paragraph and should relate to the thesis or the paper's main idea. The sentence consists of a topic and a controlling idea.

 

The topic element tells the reader what the paragraph is about, and the controlling idea tells them what you will explain.

For example, the topic you are about to discuss in a paragraph could be exercise, and the controlling idea could be its benefits.

 

So, it could read:

Exercise has been proven to have many benefits, including extending a person's life.

 

Another example could be:

There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.

The topic is "global warming" and the controlling idea is "contributing factors."

 

More examples and information can be found here:

Examples of Topic Sentences That Make the Purpose Clear | YourDictionary

Turning sentences into Paragraphs


Paragraphs are essentially several sentences centred around an idea or topic. As you have already set out the topic of the paragraph in your topic sentence, it is now time to add to your Topic Sentence, thus turning it into a paragraph.

 

With the exercise example above, the following sentence will expand on what has been stated. So, how does exercise extend one's life? Any by what amount? By doing cardio perhaps? 

 

Is there evidence to support your statement?

Of course, you can't just make up a statement, a successful academic essay requires you to provide evidence to support your statement. This both enhances your credibility and ensures that you have not plagiarised. The evidence is usually outlined in the centre of the paragraph.

See our Referencing and Plagiarism page to find out how to reference correctly.

 

How is a paragraph structured?


Interestingly, creating a paragraph is similar to creating an essay, there is a beginning (introduction), a middle (main body) and an end (conclusion).

 

The beginning is your Topic Sentence.

The middle is the explanation and evidence, this section backs up and expands on the idea raised in your topic sentence.

Finally, there is a concluding sentence. This draws a conclusion from the evidence outlined in the previous middle section.

 

Using the exercise example above, below is a breakdown of how to create a paragraph.

 

Making multiple paragraphs


Your following paragraphs allow you to expand on what you have said in your first paragraph, or topics related to the essay question. The following paragraphs also allow you to include any alternative or opposing ideas

 

However, you will still need to start with a topic sentence, although this can be your second sentence. whether it is your first or second sentence, the first sentence needs to connect with your previous paragraph in some way, this is to ensure the essay flows nicely.  

 

Again, it needs a beginning (introduction), a middle (main body) and an end (conclusion), like your previous paragraph.

 

Following on with our exercise example, my next paragraph could say:

 

Repeated prolonged periods of exercise increase the heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen effectively, however, this process also releases endorphins in the individual, which has a positive effect on their mental health. The positive impact on their mental health boosts energy levels, increases happiness and decreases levels of depression and therefore suicide rates. This was shown in a study by... 

 

Other Considerations 


How you build your paragraphs, and the depth of detail you go into may be dictated by several factors, such as:

  • Purpose of the essay: As set out in the essay question and specification.
    •  Does it ask you to discuss, debate or analyse specific terms?
    • As such your following paragraphs need to do this.
    • Terms like discuss and analyse are called 'Command Verbs', and are important to know and understand.
    • If you have to analyse one topic rather than two, you can fit more detail into the essay. So, your following paragraphs will go into more depth.
  • Word count: This will dictate the level of detail you can go into. 
  • Essay specification: This will cover what you need to include in your essay and therefore what you need to include in your paragraphs.
    • As such, once you have made a point in one paragraph, you can demonstrate another aspect (as set out in the specification) in your following paragraphs.
  • Remember: Your paragraphs should follow the structure that you set out in your introduction.

 

Much of this was discussed in our 'Writing Essays and Assignments' section.