How to build and fix a well-organized paragraph
TEAS 7 outline: Develop a well-organized paragraph
- A paragraph has one main idea, stated in a topic sentence.
- Every other sentence supports that idea with details or examples.
- An off-topic sentence fits the subject but not the controlling idea.
- Choose a transition by the real relationship between two sentences.
- A concluding sentence wraps up without starting a new topic.
Key facts
- A topic sentence states the paragraph's main idea: a topic plus a controlling idea that limits what the paragraph will say about it.
- The topic sentence usually comes first, but it can appear in the middle or at the end.
- Every supporting sentence must explain or prove the controlling idea; a sentence on the same general subject but a different point breaks the paragraph's unity.
Show all 6 key factsShow fewer
- Common logical orders are time order (chronological), place order (spatial), and order of importance.
- Transition words show the relationship between ideas: addition (also, in addition), contrast (however, but), cause and effect (as a result, therefore), example (for example), time (first, then, finally) and summary (in short).
- A concluding sentence signals the end by restating, summarizing or drawing a conclusion from the main idea; it does not open a new topic.
Quick check1 question · 2 more at the end
__ In March, hand sanitizer pumps were placed at the entrance to every hallway. Signs reminding staff to clean their hands were also posted above each sink. In addition, unit managers began making short, unannounced checks each week. By June, managers were seeing staff clean their hands before patient contact more often on every floor.
Which of the following would be the best topic sentence for the paragraph?
Correct answer: B.
A topic sentence states the paragraph's main idea, and every other sentence should support it. Here the details describe three actions the hospital took (pumps, signs and spot checks) and the result. The best topic sentence covers all of those details without being so broad that it could introduce a whole book.
A Too broad: it could open a whole textbook and does not point to the specific steps this hospital took.
B Correct: the controlling idea, several steps to improve hand cleaning, covers every detail in the paragraph.
C Too narrow and off target: it is a small detail about refilling that no other sentence supports.
D Off-topic: staff preferences are not discussed anywhere in the paragraph.
Full lesson
Each part starts with its main idea. Open a part when you want the details.
The short answer: A well-organized paragraph states one main idea in a topic sentence, usually first. Every other sentence supports that idea with details or examples, in a logical order such as time, place or importance. Transition words show how each sentence connects to the last. A concluding sentence wraps up the main idea without starting a new topic.
1 What does a well-organized paragraph contain?A strong paragraph has one main idea, and every sentence in it serves that idea. 1 min
A strong paragraph has one main idea, and every sentence in it serves that idea. Think of four jobs that the sentences share.
| Part | Job | Quick test |
|---|---|---|
| Topic sentence | States the main idea: a topic plus a controlling idea | Could every other sentence explain or prove it? |
| Supporting details | Give facts, examples, reasons or steps | Does this sentence back up the controlling idea? |
| Transitions | Show how each sentence connects to the last | Does the word match the real relationship? |
| Concluding sentence | Wraps up the main idea | Does it close without starting a new topic? |
2 How do you spot the best topic sentence?The best topic sentence is the one claim that all the other sentences support. 1 min
The best topic sentence is the one claim that all the other sentences support. Use this 3-step check on each choice.
- Underline the controlling idea in the choice (for example, "took several steps to reduce falls").
- Hold each detail sentence up against it. Every detail must fit.
- Reject choices that are too narrow (fit one detail) or too broad (could start a whole book).
| Choice type | Example for a paragraph about one clinic's new fall-prevention steps |
|---|---|
| Too broad | Safety is important in every workplace. |
| Too narrow | Night-lights were added in each room. |
| Just right | This year, Oakdale Clinic took several steps to reduce patient falls. |
3 How do you find the sentence that does not belong?An off-topic sentence matches the general subject but not the controlling idea. 1 min
An off-topic sentence matches the general subject but not the controlling idea. That is why it fools your ear: it uses the same key words.
(1) The hospital's new bike-share station has made commuting easier for staff. (2) Employees can rent a bike with their badge for one dollar a day. (3) The station sits next to the bus stop, so riders can combine both trips. (4) Many cities also hold bike races in the summer. (5) Since the station opened, the staff parking lot has had more open spaces.
Walk-through: the controlling idea is that the station made commuting easier. Sentences 2, 3 and 5 each show how. Sentence 4 is about bikes but not about commuting at this hospital, so it goes.
4 How do transitions and order hold a paragraph together?Transition words tell the reader how the next sentence relates to the one before it. 1 min
Transition words tell the reader how the next sentence relates to the one before it. Choose the word by asking what the relationship is, then check the table.
| Relationship | Signal words |
|---|---|
| Adding | also, in addition, furthermore |
| Contrast | however, but, on the other hand |
| Cause and effect | as a result, therefore, so |
| Example | for example, for instance |
| Time or steps | first, next, then, finally |
| Summing up | in short, overall |
Ordering method: find the sentence that makes sense with nothing before it. Then follow the clues: a pronoun (this, these, it) or a phrase like that period points back to something said earlier. Time order, place order and order of importance are the usual patterns.
5 What makes a good concluding sentence?A concluding sentence wraps up the main idea without opening a new topic. 1 min
A concluding sentence wraps up the main idea without opening a new topic. It can restate the topic sentence in fresh words, sum up the key points or draw a conclusion.
| Choice | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Sums up this paragraph's idea in new words | Best |
| Adds a new detail or a new topic | Wrong, it opens a door instead of closing one |
| Makes a sweeping claim about everyone or everything | Wrong, too broad |
Common mistakes
The traps students fall into most. Read these before you practice.
Watch out: A sentence that shares a key word with the topic sentence can still be off-topic; check it against the controlling idea, not just the subject.
Watch out: A topic sentence must cover every detail in the paragraph; a choice that fits only one detail is too narrow, and a sweeping statement about the whole world is too broad.
Watch out: In an ordering item, the opening sentence rarely starts with a pronoun like this or these, or with a transition like then or as a result.
Watch out: A choice that begins with In conclusion is not automatically the best ending; it must sum up this paragraph's idea, not a bigger one.
Watch out: A transition must match the real relationship; however signals a contrast, so it cannot introduce a result.
How to remember it
Picture a paragraph as a sandwich with a slice of bread on each end. The top slice is the topic sentence, the fillings are the details, and the bottom slice is the conclusion. Anything from a different sandwich comes out.
Self-check:
- Write a topic sentence with a clear controlling idea about your study plan.
- Find the off-topic sentence in the bike-share example and explain why it fails.
- Pick a transition for "The clinic added evening hours. ___, more working parents now bring their children in."
Show answers
- Sample: "My study plan fits three short sessions into each work week."
- The topic is my study plan.
- The controlling idea is "fits three short sessions into each work week." Every detail sentence after it should show how.
- Sentence 4.
- "Many cities also hold bike races in the summer" is about bikes.
- But it is not about commuting at this hospital, which is the controlling idea.
- As a result.
- The evening hours caused more working parents to come in.
- That is a cause-and-effect relationship, so use as a result (therefore and so also signal it).