The type of paragraph you write will depend on a number of factors:
Using clear paragraph structure will help the reader understand the purpose of your writing.
Used to present a point of view, and provide evidence to support the position. Evidence can include reasons, personal experience, statistics, confirmed facts and expert research.
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A paragraph can be used to argue for or against a point of view. Each paragraph should focus on developing one main point for or against the position. |
Topic Structure - introduce the argument and position for or against |
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Supporting Sentences – develop the reasons for your position and presents facts and examples to support this; address any counter-arguments |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases For giving reasons: first, second, third, another, next, last, finally, because, since, for For counter-argument: but, however, of course, nevertheless, although, despite For concluding: therefore, as a result, in conclusion, thus |
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Group separate items together according to shared characteristics.
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This paragraph structure can be used to organise information, items, or ideas into categories. The organisation of information will depend on your purpose and subject area.
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Topic Structure - Introduce the items being classified and/or the categories for classification |
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Supporting Sentences – provide more information about the items, and how their characteristics fit into a particular category |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases Can be divided, can be classified, can be categorised the first/second/third |
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Used for examination of similarities and/or differences. Compare focuses on similarities. Contrast focuses on differences.
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Use this paragraph structure if you need to examine similarities and differences. This paragraph structure is useful for literature reviews and reports.
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Topic Structure - |
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Supporting Sentences – |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases For comparison: similar to, similarly, in the same way, like, equally, again, also, too For contrast: in contrast, on the other hand, different from, whereas, while, unlike, but, although, however, conversely, yet, unlike |
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Start with a simple definition in the first or topic sentence. Use support sentences for examples, description and explanation.
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Use this paragraph structure when you need to define a concept, and demonstrate an understanding of how it relates to a particular context or discipline. |
Topic Structure - provide a simple definition of a concept |
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Supporting Sentences – provide more information through description, explanation, and examples; makes links between the concept and how it applies to a particular context or field |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases for example, for instance, an illustration of this, another example, firstly, the first step, secondly, the second step, finally, the final step |
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Includes specific details of the most important features of the topic.
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Use this paragraph structure if you are asked to provide information about something. |
Topic Structure - introduce the item to be described |
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Supporting Sentences – provide specific and detailed information about the item’s characteristics and functions |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases In the foreground, in the middle distance, in the background, in the far distance, next to, near, up, down, between, beneath, above, below, on top of, beneath, left/right, centre, front, back, middle, in the interior, on the exterior, on the inside, on the outside, surrounding |
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Used to explain how something works, or how something happens.
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Use this paragraph structure if you need to explain how something works or the steps in a process.
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Topic Structure - introduce what will be explained |
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Supporting Sentences – explain each of the steps involved in the process, in the order that the steps are to be performed. Includes information about how something happens and why |
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Conclusion – provide a brief summary of the process |
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Useful transitional words and phrases At first, initially, the first step, while, at the same time, the second/third/next step, after, next, finally, eventually, the final/last step. |
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Uses specific examples to clarify and support a general statement.
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Use this paragraph structure when you need to clarify a particular idea by offering specific examples and showing how they relate to your main point. |
Topic Structure - state a general idea |
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Supporting Sentences – introduce examples to support the idea |
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Conclusion – |
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Useful transitional words and phrases For example, for instance, an illustration of this, another example |
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Adapted from a resource previously published by the University of New England
