Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
URL: http://www.siue.edu/IS/WRITING/
Published by: Instructional Services Department
Last Updated: August 22, 2005 
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1.  EVIDENCE--Be sure to provide specific and detailed evidence to support the topic sentence.  Think of your topic sentence as an idea that must be proven to the reader.  Offer enough facts, opinions, and examples to prove your point.

2.  TOPIC SENTENCES--Use questions to identify what information needs to be developed in the paragraph:
            TS -- Spelunking is a dangerous hobby.
                         Q - Why is it dangerous?
            TS -- The space lab was a miniature laboratory.
                         Q - What makes it a miniature laboratory?
The question asks something about the statement (controlling idea) of the topic sentence.

3.  PRIMARY & SECONDARY SUPPORT--Paragraphs may have primary (major) support as well as secondary (minor) support.  The primary support statement supports the topic sentence directly.  Secondary support statements support primary support statements. 

Some paragraphs use only primary support.  The topic sentence in these paragraphs is supported by a list of evidence, with no particular item having any more importance than any other.  Most paragraphs, however, are organized into both primary and secondary supporting statements.

4.  COHERENT PARAGRAPHS--Coherence means that the paragraph "sticks" together in a tight and logical order.  Coherence can be emphasized by
            a.  Repeating important words.
            b.  Using transitional words and phrases
                        Examples ( for example, for instance)
                        Clarification ( in other words, in effect)
                        Contrast ( however, nevertheless, on the other hand)
                        Stages, steps, or a series (first, finally, so far)
A paragraph that isn't coherent seems "jumbled" and is hard to follow.

5.  PARAGRAPH ORDER--Paragraphs fall into four basic patterns:

• INDUCTIVE ORDER--Topic sentence last.
  
• NATURAL ORDER--Topic sentence first; sentences follow in the order they occurred.
  
• CLIMACTIC ORDER--Topic sentence first; sentences are arranged  from the least
                 important to the most important.
  
• EMPHATIC ORDER--Topic sentence first; sentences follow in no particular order