Purpose of Paragraphs

Just as the writing process can be likened to a journey, so can the idea of a paragraph. The best flights are often those that fly directly to the intended destination. On such flights, all steps in the trip are clearly laid out, and each action has a clear point. For example, an afternoon, nonstop flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to New York LaGuardia Airport might serve lunch, show a movie, and have passengers’ checked luggage available in New York. Everything about this trip makes sense and obviously serves the function of getting from Phoenix to New York without confusing or inconveniencing the traveler. In a similar fashion, a paragraph’s purpose is to develop ideas about a single point in a way that carefully guides readers from the starting point to the final destination.

Sometimes, however, a writer will include too many ideas in a paragraph or will not show how those ideas connect to each other. In other words, the paragraph may include the author’s ideas, but it does not clearly communicate those ideas to the reader. It may be helpful to think of this like a stressful flight from Phoenix to New York. On the stressful flight, the plane stops first in Los Angeles, then in Dallas, and again in Atlanta before finally reaching New York. Breakfast is served at 3:00 p.m.; luggage is not checked until Los Angeles and must be retrieved in Atlanta before reaching the final destination in New York. Imagine the confusion and frustration of the passengers on this flight. Too much of this trip does not seem to pertain to the original goal—traveling from Phoenix to New York—and includes many obstacles to a successful journey. Think of readers like these air travelers: They need a clear point for the paragraph, and all the points should clearly relate to the main point of the paragraph. Writers must carefully communicate with readers, and, to do that, each paragraph must develop a single idea and everything included in the paragraph should clearly relate to that idea.

Types of Paragraphs

Just as different types of planes are used for different purposes (small planes for short journeys, large planes for longer journeys, fighter jets for military operations), each type of paragraph serves a different function. There are four primary types of paragraphs with which writers should be familiar: body paragraphs, stand-alone paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions.

Perhaps the most familiar type of paragraph is the body paragraph. Body paragraphs appear in longer pieces of writing, such as essays, to develop a larger point. A body paragraph establishes and strengthens a link in a chain of ideas that, ultimately, helps the writer communicate a larger point to readers. In other words, a body paragraph is part of a greater whole. College writers typically find themselves writing body paragraphs when responding to essay questions on exams or in research papers. They may also find themselves writing body paragraphs in blog entries, cover letters, or reports.

A body paragraph might be compared to a stop on a journey that enriches the experience of travel. For example, if someone who enjoys exploring caves, a spelunker, takes a trip to visit the caves of the Southwestern U.S., he or she might stop at Arizona’s Kartchner Caverns on the way to New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. The end goal is to reach the Carlsbad Caverns, but the stop at Kartchner Caverns enriches the experience and helps the traveler understand more about the caverns of the Southwest. A body paragraph serves much the same function: It helps develop a point related to the larger whole to communicate more clearly and fully the idea the author wants to impart to the reader.

In contrast to body paragraphs, stand-alone paragraphs are not part of a larger journey or a larger piece of writing. It might be helpful think of a stand-alone paragraph like a day trip. Perhaps a person does not have the resources, energy, or interest to visit many caverns in the Southwest and decides to experience spelunking in a more limited scope by visiting the Kartchner Caverns. This trip is not a stop along a journey to enrich it; this stop is the destination. This trip has a much more specific scope and purpose: to experience a single cave.

In much the same way, stand-alone paragraphs are self-contained discussions of more limited scope than body paragraphs. The stand-alone paragraph typically must have a narrow focus because, of course, nothing comes before or after a stand-alone paragraph. The entire point must be made in this single paragraph. College writers may find themselves writing stand-alone paragraphs when responding to short-answer prompts on exams or when writing discussion question responses. They may also write stand-alone paragraphs when authoring blog responses, responses to email queries, and even, perhaps, mission statements for an Etsy site or for an employer.

Parts of Paragraphs

A paragraph is primarily made up of three things: a topic sentence, support for the main idea, and an explanation of the support. All three of these elements must be included in every paragraph to achieve a writer’s purpose. A paragraph contains one main idea that must be supported fully throughout the paragraph. By the end of a paragraph, the writer’s purpose should be achieved.

Writing a paragraph is like taking readers on a short road trip. In the topic sentence, the writer tells the readers where they will be going, and why they should go to that particular location. Throughout the support section of a paragraph, the writer provides readers with all of the directions necessary to reach the desired destination. By the end of the paragraph, readers should arrive at the destination, and they should feel that the trip was successful.

Look carefully at the paragraph you just read, and you will see that while the paragraph is quite short, it still contains a topic sentence, support, and an explanation of the support:

The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and it tells readers what to expect from the paragraph. The topic sentence must always include the main idea of the paragraph. After reading a topic sentence, readers should be able to understand the purpose of the upcoming paragraph. When readers know what to expect, they are better prepared to engage in the reading experience. Helping the reader know what to expect is especially important. Imagine being blindfolded and told to prepare for a trip without knowing which kind of trip to expect. Such a scenario is certainly cause for concern and unease. Writing good topic sentences eliminates this unease. Instead of launching the reader into confusion and turmoil, a topic sentence offers an invitation to the reader. The topic sentence both invites and guides by making clear what should be expected from the rest of the paragraph.

The next key part of a paragraph is the support for the main idea, and it is the largest part of a paragraph. This is where writers explain and prove their main points. Support can include, but is not limited to evidence (both experience-based and researched evidence), examples, and observations. Within the support section of a paragraph, writers must make sure they fully achieve the purpose stated in their topic sentences. Support is necessary to achieve the purpose. Why? Because without support, writers risk losing communication with readers. Think of it this way: People on a road trip may notice bumper stickers on other cars. Some bumper stickers may inspire travelers to smile in agreement; others may cause travelers to roll their eyes. In both situations, there is no true communication. Travelers smile if they already agreed with the bumper sticker and roll their eyes if they already disagreed, but those who do not share the ideas of the writer of the bumper sticker are not given any means of thinking critically about the issue. The goal of college-level writing is not simply to receive a thumbs up; rather, it is to communicate. To communicate, writers need to give specific support, and they must avoid unsupported statements. They also must make sure they do not forget to stay on task, and they must include anything readers will need to know or understand to accomplish the purpose of the paragraph.

After writers include evidence, examples, and/or observations to support their main ideas in paragraphs, they must explain all of the evidence, examples, and/or observations discussed. Writers often forget to explain the usefulness of their evidence and examples, and this can cause readers to become confused. If readers do not understand why evidence and examples are useful, readers will feel that they wasted time reading the paragraph. Imagine driving directions to the Grand Canyon that say to exit the freeway at a specific location, but the directions do not say where to go next. Obviously, this would lead to confusion and frustration, in much the same way readers get frustrated when writers forget to explain their support. Remember, confused and frustrated readers often stop reading. A writer’s purpose cannot be achieved without readers, so do not forget to explain all support thoroughly.

Often, writers go off on tangents within paragraphs. In other words, they might stay on topic, but they move away from the purpose of the paragraph. Remember, once the purpose is stated in the topic sentence, the writer must support the main idea and the purpose throughout the remainder of the paragraph. Once again, imagine a friend giving directions to the Grand Canyon. While waiting to know where the next turn should be, the friend starts discussing how amazing the Grand Canyon really is. While the friend describes the wonders about to be seen, he or she forgets to continue giving directions. The road to the Grand Canyon is missed, as are its wonders the friend was describing. Similarly, readers feel frustrated and annoyed when writers stay on topic, but not on task. Remember, the most important part of a paragraph is not the topic, it is the purpose. Make sure to pay careful attention to this potential writing obstacle throughout the writing process.

After the topic sentence, support, and explanation of support, a brief conclusion, usually one sentence, is necessary to help readers feel satisfied with a stand-alone paragraph, or to connect to the next idea in an essay. The concluding line in a stand-alone paragraph is like a very short version of the conclusion paragraph in an essay. The concluding line might be a suggestion for readers, a call to action, or a warning about what might happen if readers do not act. In a body paragraph, the concluding line should complete the writer’s thoughts on the main point of the paragraph, and it should connect that main point with the overall point of the essay.

Purpose of Topic Sentences

The purpose of a topic sentence is to state the main idea and the purpose of a paragraph directly to avoid confusion, either for readers or writers. Writers and readers need goals, and the topic sentence states the writer’s goal for the readers. This way, both writers and readers know what to expect from the paragraph. This helps readers know why they are reading, and it helps writers remember their own purposes. For example, imagine being given directions to an undisclosed location. While the mystery might be intriguing, without knowing where the directions lead, it might also be dangerous. The topic sentence guides the readers and tells them where they are going. Meanwhile, the topic sentence also helps writers avoid the pitfall of going off on tangents.

Parts of Topic Sentences for Stand-Alone Paragraphs

There are three parts of a topic sentence for a stand-alone paragraph. The topic sentence must establish the intended audience, the topic/argument of the paragraph, and the purpose of the paragraph for readers. The intended audience must be identified in the topic sentence of a stand-alone paragraph because there is no introduction in which the intended audience is addressed. The topic and/or argument of the paragraph must be identified because once readers have been identified, they must know what is expected from them. Perhaps most importantly, the meaningful purpose for readers must be stated. Remember, to convince readers to read a piece of writing, they must believe there is a purpose. Including the meaningful purpose for readers in the topic sentence allows readers to determine whether or not reading the paragraph will be worthwhile or beneficial, and hopefully leads readers to want to read the paragraph.

Often, writers forget to include one of the three required components of topic sentences for stand-alone paragraphs. Consider the following example:

BAD EXAMPLE: GCU is an incredible, private, Christian university.

Who should read this? How will this information benefit readers? Can a better topic sentence be written that identifies the intended audience and includes a purpose for readers? For examples of more effective topic sentences, consider these two:

GOOD EXAMPLE: People hoping to receive a Christian education should consider attending GCU because it is a private, Christian university.

OR

GOOD EXAMPLE: People hoping to attend a university in Phoenix with a wonderful basketball team should consider going to GCU.

How can writers turn weaker topic sentences into stronger topic sentences? One way to be certain you always include the necessary elements of a topic sentence for a stand-alone paragraph is to use the following topic sentence formula:

Look at the way a good example of a topic sentence for a stand-alone paragraph follows the topic sentence formula.

Using the topic sentence formula for stand-alone paragraphs helps writers make sure they always include all three parts of topic sentences. This way, the topic sentence provides readers with everything they need to appreciate the following paragraph.

Practice Exercise

Parts of Topic Sentences for Body Paragraphs

Topic sentences for body paragraphs in essays are very similar to topic sentences for stand-alone paragraphs. However, there are two primary differences. First, writers rarely need to identify their audiences in body paragraph topic sentences because audiences usually are identified in introductions. Second, body paragraph topic sentences require transition words or connections to previous paragraphs. This means that body paragraph topic sentences need to help the reader connect the main idea in the current paragraph to the main idea in the last paragraph. This can be done by using a simple transition word or phrase, or by repeating a key word or phrase from the preceding paragraph and building on that idea in the next paragraph. The topic sentence should still state the topic/argument and purpose for readers, and it should be a declarative statement, not a question.

Imagine writing an essay with the purpose of convincing high school students to attend Grand Canyon University. You might want to include body paragraphs on GCU’s commitment to providing a Christian education, or the University’s academics, clubs, athletics, faculty, or campus. If the first body paragraph were about GCU’s commitment to providing a Christian education, what might be included in the topic sentence? Consider the following weak example:

BAD EXAMPLE: GCU provides a Christian education.

What is the purpose for this paragraph? Here, the writer remembered to include the topic of the paragraph, but forgot to include the purpose. This writer also forgot to include a transition or a connection to the previous paragraph. Connecting to a prior paragraph is difficult with the first body paragraph, so a transition will be the best fit here. Can we add a transition and a purpose to this topic sentence? Consider these alternate, stronger topic sentences.

GOOD EXAMPLE: One of the most important reasons to choose GCU is the benefit of a Christian education that encourages students to deepen their faith while educating their minds to be well-rounded individuals and community members.

If you imagine writing an essay on the same topic discussed above, but a paragraph on GCU’s clubs and organizations came before the paragraph on a Christian education, you would need to change the beginning of the topic sentence to connect to the preceding paragraph. Here is one way to do that:

GOOD EXAMPLE: Not only do GCU students get to participate in a wide variety of clubs and organizations, but they also have the benefit of a Christian education that encourages them to deepen their faith while educating their minds to be well-rounded individuals and community members.

Notice that in the example above, the writer built on the point made in the preceding paragraph. Remember that either a transition or a connection to prior paragraphs is necessary when writing body paragraph topic sentences.

Try to follow this basic formula to create successful topic sentences for body paragraphs:

Look at the way these examples of good topic sentences for body paragraphs follow the topic sentence formula. Use critical-thinking skills as you read these examples, and write down questions you may have to ask your instructor in class.

Practice Exercise

College students should stop arguing on Facebook because new arguments develop and friendships can end. When people argue on Facebook, they make their private problems public. There is a reason some things should be private. When arguments are made public, people take sides. People might even be nasty and judgmental in their Facebook comments. People’s feelings get hurt, and hurt feelings are difficult to overcome. This can lead people who were not arguing before to begin new arguments. Now, instead of a couple of people having a private disagreement, almost everyone they know starts arguing online. People who genuinely care about each other find themselves in arguments over other people’s problems. Sadly, this can even lead to the loss of friendships because people are often meaner online than they would be in person. For example, my friend Julie posted something on Facebook about her college roommate, Stephanie, borrowing clothes without asking. Julie was frustrated with Stephanie, and felt she needed to vent with friends online. She did not realize this would lead to gigantic arguments between many friends, but it did. Some friends posted nasty comments about Stephanie’s rudeness and selfishness, and others posted nasty comments about Julie’s unwillingness to share and not hold grudges. When all was said and done, not only did Julie and Stephanie stop being friends, but also several other previously close friends’ relationships were damaged. This might have been avoided if Julie had talked to Stephanie in person instead of posting their private problem online. To avoid ending up like Julie and Stephanie, college students should remember that it is hard to make people forget the nasty comments that can be made on Facebook during arguments. Instead of posting, have a conversation. This way, private arguments stay private, and people have a better chance of keeping their friends.

Please read the following paragraph. Notice that it is incredibly similar to the previous paragraph, but there are a few distinct differences. Here, this paragraph is part of an essay about the dangers of Facebook posts. This paragraph follows a paragraph about revealing too much personal information to strangers on Facebook. Read critically, and look for each of the elements required in body paragraphs. Try to find the similarities and differences between the stand-alone version of this paragraph and the body paragraph version of this paragraph.

Not only is it dangerous to reveal private information to strangers online, but it is also a problem when people argue with their friends on Facebook because new arguments develop and friendships can end. When people argue on Facebook, they make their private problems public. There is a reason some things should be private. When arguments are made public, people take sides. People might even be nasty and judgmental in their Facebook comments. People’s feelings get hurt, and hurt feelings are difficult to overcome. This can lead people who were not arguing before to begin new arguments. Now, instead of a couple of people having a private disagreement, almost everyone they know starts arguing online. People who genuinely care about each other find themselves in arguments over other people’s problems. Sadly, this can even lead to the loss of friendships because people are often meaner online than they would be in person. For example, my friend Julie posted something on Facebook about her college roommate, Stephanie, borrowing clothes without asking. Julie was frustrated with Stephanie, and felt she needed to vent with friends online. She did not realize this would lead to gigantic arguments between many friends, but it did. Some friends posted nasty comments about Stephanie’s rudeness and selfishness, and others posted nasty comments about Julie’s unwillingness to share and not hold grudges. When all was said and done, not only did Julie and Stephanie stop being friends, but also several other previously close friends’ relationships were damaged. This might have been avoided if Julie had talked to Stephanie in person instead of posting their private problem online. Once again, making something public on Facebook can become a serious problem.

Summary

A stand-alone paragraph is a self-contained paragraph, and a body paragraph is a paragraph included in a larger piece of writing. These paragraphs are quite similar. Both should contain one main idea that is thoroughly developed and supported, and both require a topic sentence, support for the main idea, an explanation of the support, and a concluding line. The differences between stand-alone paragraphs and body paragraphs are in the first and last lines. Topic sentences and conclusion sentences require different information because they have different purposes. In stand-alone paragraphs, topic sentences must identify the intended audience, the topic or argument, and the purpose. In body paragraphs, topic sentences must provide connections to the larger piece of writing, while also including the topic or argument and the purpose. In concluding sentences for stand-alone paragraphs, writers must provide final thoughts for readers that result in satisfying endings. In concluding sentences for body paragraphs, writers must connect the paragraphs to the overall ideas or arguments in essays. Remember, writers should always focus on which kind of paragraph they are writing and what their readers need to know to achieve the purpose of the paragraph. If writers do that, they will write successful paragraphs.

Critical-Thinking Applications

Stand-alone paragraphs and body paragraphs can have multiple applications beyond college. Body paragraphs will be used in the professional world for letters, emails, reports, and perhaps even blog entries. Even personal writing can use body paragraphs in journals, diaries, creative non-fiction, personal blogs, and many more genres. Likewise, stand-alone paragraphs can be used in the professional world to respond to short emails, blog responses, and mission statements for businesses. Even personal writing can call for stand-alone paragraphs; an Etsy, eBay, or Amazon.com seller site may require a brief bio that will be a stand-alone paragraph. Need to find a new home for a pet? A stand-alone paragraph on an online site can help with that. Each of these scenarios, whether professional, personal, or academic, will require good topic sentences to guide the reader. The strategies from this section will be useful in all aspects of life.

Chapter Review