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How to write good paragraphs

Stay on one topic

Parts of a paragraph

The paragraph introduction

The topic sentence

Transition sentence

Background clarification sentences

The paragraph body

Examples

Analysis

Background / clarification sentences

So, the introduction of a paragraph generally starts with either a topic sentence or a transition sentence followed by a topic sentence. This, however, isn’t necessarily all that there is in the introduction. Sometimes, some background or clarifying information is needed to set the scene for the rest of the paragraph. This background information may help put the topic sentence in context by telling the reader some more information about it.

The first sentence in this paragraph is the topic sentence, introducing what this paragraph is going to be talking about. The second sentence is a clarifying sentence, which tells the reader a little more information about exactly what the topic sentence is about. In this case, it clarifies that we’re discussing large-scale organised crime rather than low level crime. These clarifying sentences are often needed when the subject in the topic sentence is complex and can’t be defined completely in one sentence.

Click here to move on to the next topic: The paragraph body