how to start a fourth paragraph in an essay

105 Best Words To Start A Paragraph

The first words of a paragraph are crucial as they set the tone and inform the reader about the content that follows.

Known as the ‘topic’ sentence, the first sentence of the paragraph should clearly convey the paragraph’s main idea. 

This article presents a comprehensive list of the best words to start a paragraph, be it the first, second, third, or concluding paragraph.

Words to Start an Introduction Paragraph

The words you choose for starting an essay should establish the context, importance, or conflict of your topic.

The purpose of an introduction is to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the topic, its significance, and the structure of the ensuing discussion or argument.

Students often struggle to think of ways to start introductions because they may feel overwhelmed by the need to effectively summarize and contextualize their topic, capture the reader’s interest, and provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper, all while trying to create a strong first impression.

Choose one of these example words to start an introduction to get yourself started:

• The debate surrounding [topic]…
• [Topic] has garnered attention due to…
• Exploring the complexities of [topic]…
• The significance of [topic] lies in…
• Over the past decade, [topic] has…
• The critical question of [topic]…
• As society grapples with [topic]…
• The rapidly evolving landscape of [topic]…
• A closer examination of [topic] reveals…
• The ongoing conversation around [topic]…

Don’t Miss my Article: 33 Words to Avoid in an Essay

Words to Start a Body Paragraph

The purpose of a body paragraph in an essay is to develop and support the main argument, presenting evidence, examples, and analysis that contribute to the overall thesis.

Students may struggle to think of ways to start body paragraphs because they need to find appropriate transition words or phrases that seamlessly connect the paragraphs, while also introducing a new idea or evidence that builds on the previous points.

This can be challenging, as students must carefully balance the need for continuity and logical flow with the introduction of fresh perspectives.

Try some of these paragraph starters if you’re stuck:

• Building upon previous research…
• As [source] suggests, [topic]…
• Analyzing [topic] through [theory]…
• Considering the impact of [policy]…
• Delving deeper into [topic]…
• Drawing from [author]’s findings…
• [Topic] intersects with [related topic]…
• Contrary to popular belief, [topic]…
• The historical context of [topic]…
• Addressing the challenges of [topic]…

Words to Start a Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion paragraph wraps up your essay and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

It should convincingly summarize your thesis and main points. For more tips on writing a compelling conclusion, consider the following examples of ways to say “in conclusion”:

• In summary, [topic] demonstrates…
• The evidence overwhelmingly suggests…
• Taking all factors into account…
• In light of the analysis, [topic]…
• Ultimately, [topic] plays a crucial role…
• In light of these findings…
• Weighing the pros and cons of [topic]…
• By synthesizing the key points…
• The interplay of factors in [topic]…
• [Topic] leaves us with important implications…

Complete List of Transition Words

Above, I’ve provided 30 different examples of phrases you can copy and paste to get started on your paragraphs.

Let’s finish strong with a comprehensive list of transition words you can mix and match to start any paragraph you want:

• Secondly, …
• In addition, …
• Furthermore, …
• Moreover, …
• On the other hand, …
• In contrast, …
• Conversely, …
• Despite this, …
• Nevertheless, …
• Although, …
• As a result, …
• Consequently, …
• Therefore, …
• Additionally, …
• Simultaneously, …
• Meanwhile, …
• In comparison, …
• Comparatively, …
• As previously mentioned, …
• For instance, …
• For example, …
• Specifically, …
• In particular, …
• Significantly, …
• Interestingly, …
• Surprisingly, …
• Importantly, …
• According to [source], …
• As [source] states, …
• As [source] suggests, …
• In the context of, …
• In light of, …
• Taking into consideration, …
• Given that, …
• Considering the fact that, …
• Bearing in mind, …
• To illustrate, …
• To demonstrate, …
• To clarify, …
• To put it simply, …
• In other words, …
• To reiterate, …
• As a matter of fact, …
• Undoubtedly, …
• Unquestionably, …
• Without a doubt, …
• It is worth noting that, …
• One could argue that, …
• It is essential to highlight, …
• It is important to emphasize, …
• It is crucial to mention, …
• When examining, …
• In terms of, …
• With regards to, …
• In relation to, …
• As a consequence, …
• As an illustration, …
• As evidence, …
• Based on [source], …
• Building upon, …
• By the same token, …
• In the same vein, …
• In support of this, …
• In line with, …
• To further support, …
• To substantiate, …
• To provide context, …
• To put this into perspective, …

Tip: Use Right-Branching Sentences to Start your Paragraphs

Sentences should have the key information front-loaded. This makes them easier to read. So, start your sentence with the key information!

To understand this, you need to understand two contrasting types of sentences:

• Left-branching sentences , also known as front-loaded sentences, begin with the main subject and verb, followed by modifiers, additional information, or clauses.
• Right-branching sentences , or back-loaded sentences, start with modifiers, introductory phrases, or clauses, leading to the main subject and verb later in the sentence.

In academic writing, left-branching or front-loaded sentences are generally considered easier to read and more authoritative.

This is because they present the core information—the subject and the verb—at the beginning, making it easier for readers to understand the main point of the sentence.

Front-loading also creates a clear and straightforward sentence structure, which is preferred in academic writing for its clarity and conciseness.

Right-branching or back-loaded sentences, with their more complex and sometimes convoluted structure, can be more challenging for readers to follow and may lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Take these examples where I’ve highlighted the subject of the sentence in bold. Note that in the right-branching sentences, the topic is front-loaded.

• Right Branching: Researchers found a strong correlation between sleep and cognitive function after analyzing the data from various studies.
• Left-Branching: After analyzing the data from various studies, a strong correlation between sleep and cognitive function was found by researchers.
• The novel was filled with vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes , which captivated the audience from the very first chapter.
• Captivating the audience from the very first chapter, the novel was filled with vivid imagery and thought-provoking themes.

The words you choose to start a paragraph are crucial for setting the tone, establishing context, and ensuring a smooth flow throughout your essay.

By carefully selecting the best words for each type of paragraph, you can create a coherent, engaging, and persuasive piece of writing.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
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1. The Introduction

2. a strong thesis statement, 3. topic sentence, 4. structuring the body paragraphs, 5. the conclusion, how to write a 4-paragraph essay.

Used at all levels of education, the four paragraph essay offers a basic format that enables writers to present information in a concise manner. A four paragraph essay is an acceptable format for many types of essays, including cause and effect and compare and contrast essays. The four-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each paragraph in the essay requires specific information in order for readers to follow a logical flow of information.

The four-paragraph essay consists of an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.

Begin this paragraph with a “hook” that will make readers interested in your essay.

The University of Maryland University College recommends using:

• a surprising statement or statistic,
• personal story
• or rhetorical question.

Avoid the overused and unoriginal dictionary definition opening. After the opener, provide background information on the topic, which should tell readers the purpose of the essay, as well as what they should expect to read.

A thesis statement provides readers with a condensed version of the analysis or argument that you will discuss in the essay. These are typically one or two sentences, and are located at the end of the introduction paragraph.

A strong thesis statement avoids vague language and is specific and argumentative.

• The topic sentence announces the main focus of the paragraph by stating one of the arguments identified in the thesis statement.
• Provide supporting sentences that offer evidence for your claim.
• End the paragraph with your own observation or analysis.

Your body paragraphs should consist of a clear topic sentence, quotes, and explanations of the supporting evidence you have found. This is where you have the chance to prove your thesis to your reader. In order to do this, you must have strong evidence that supports the claim you are trying to make.

• Rephrase your thesis statement in the concluding paragraph, stating how it has been proven throughout the body paragraphs.
• The conclusion should have a summary of the essay’s main arguments and an explanation on how they are connected.
• Lastly, explain why the topic of your essay is important and why it should matter to the readers.
• University of Maryland University College: Introductions; 2010
• Indiana University: Thesis Statement; Jan. 2008
• University of Maryland University College: Conclusion

i am a writer

• If you are writing in a new discipline, you should always make sure to ask about conventions and expectations for introductions, just as you would for any other aspect of the essay. For example, while it may be acceptable to write a two-paragraph (or longer) introduction for your papers in some courses, instructors in other disciplines, such as those in some Government courses, may expect a shorter introduction that includes a preview of the argument that will follow.  
• In some disciplines (Government, Economics, and others), it’s common to offer an overview in the introduction of what points you will make in your essay. In other disciplines, you will not be expected to provide this overview in your introduction.  
• Avoid writing a very general opening sentence. While it may be true that “Since the dawn of time, people have been telling love stories,” it won’t help you explain what’s interesting about your topic.  
• Avoid writing a “funnel” introduction in which you begin with a very broad statement about a topic and move to a narrow statement about that topic. Broad generalizations about a topic will not add to your readers’ understanding of your specific essay topic.  
• Avoid beginning with a dictionary definition of a term or concept you will be writing about. If the concept is complicated or unfamiliar to your readers, you will need to define it in detail later in your essay. If it’s not complicated, you can assume your readers already know the definition.  
• Avoid offering too much detail in your introduction that a reader could better understand later in the paper.
• picture_as_pdf Introductions

What this handout is about

This handout will help you understand how paragraphs are formed, how to develop stronger paragraphs, and how to completely and clearly express your ideas.

What is a paragraph?

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality, though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. A paragraph is defined as “a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit” (Lunsford and Connors 116). Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea. In this handout, we will refer to this as the “controlling idea,” because it controls what happens in the rest of the paragraph.

How do I decide what to put in a paragraph?

Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must first decide on an argument and a working thesis statement for your paper. What is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader? The information in each paragraph must be related to that idea. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your thesis and the information in each paragraph. A working thesis functions like a seed from which your paper, and your ideas, will grow. The whole process is an organic one—a natural progression from a seed to a full-blown paper where there are direct, familial relationships between all of the ideas in the paper.

The decision about what to put into your paragraphs begins with the germination of a seed of ideas; this “germination process” is better known as brainstorming . There are many techniques for brainstorming; whichever one you choose, this stage of paragraph development cannot be skipped. Building paragraphs can be like building a skyscraper: there must be a well-planned foundation that supports what you are building. Any cracks, inconsistencies, or other corruptions of the foundation can cause your whole paper to crumble.

So, let’s suppose that you have done some brainstorming to develop your thesis. What else should you keep in mind as you begin to create paragraphs? Every paragraph in a paper should be :

• Unified : All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single controlling idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph).
• Clearly related to the thesis : The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119).
• Coherent : The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119).
• Well-developed : Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph’s controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119).

How do I organize a paragraph?

There are many different ways to organize a paragraph. The organization you choose will depend on the controlling idea of the paragraph. Below are a few possibilities for organization, with links to brief examples:

• Narration : Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish. ( See an example. )
• Description : Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like. Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic. ( See an example. )
• Process : Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow a sequence—first, second, third. ( See an example. )
• Classification : Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic. ( See an example. )
• Illustration : Give examples and explain how those examples support your point. (See an example in the 5-step process below.)

Illustration paragraph: a 5-step example

From the list above, let’s choose “illustration” as our rhetorical purpose. We’ll walk through a 5-step process for building a paragraph that illustrates a point in an argument. For each step there is an explanation and example. Our example paragraph will be about human misconceptions of piranhas.

Step 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence

Paragraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph’s development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph’s controlling idea.

Controlling idea and topic sentence — Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans.

Step 2. Elaborate on the controlling idea

Paragraph development continues with an elaboration on the controlling idea, perhaps with an explanation, implication, or statement about significance. Our example offers a possible explanation for the pervasiveness of the myth.

Elaboration — This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media.

Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples)

Paragraph development progresses with an example (or more) that illustrates the claims made in the previous sentences.

Example — For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman.

Step 4. Explain the example(s)

The next movement in paragraph development is an explanation of each example and its relevance to the topic sentence. The explanation should demonstrate the value of the example as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.

Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples that the writer deems necessary have been made and explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence.

Explanation for example — Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear.

Notice that the example and explanation steps of this 5-step process (steps 3 and 4) can be repeated as needed. The idea is that you continue to use this pattern until you have completely developed the main idea of the paragraph.

Step 5. Complete the paragraph’s idea or transition into the next paragraph

The final movement in paragraph development involves tying up the loose ends of the paragraph. At this point, you can remind your reader about the relevance of the information to the larger paper, or you can make a concluding point for this example. You might, however, simply transition to the next paragraph.

Sentences for completing a paragraph — While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Finished paragraph

Despite the fact that piranhas are relatively harmless, many people continue to believe the pervasive myth that piranhas are dangerous to humans. This impression of piranhas is exacerbated by their mischaracterization in popular media. For example, the promotional poster for the 1978 horror film Piranha features an oversized piranha poised to bite the leg of an unsuspecting woman. Such a terrifying representation easily captures the imagination and promotes unnecessary fear. While the trope of the man-eating piranhas lends excitement to the adventure stories, it bears little resemblance to the real-life piranha. By paying more attention to fact than fiction, humans may finally be able to let go of this inaccurate belief.

Troubleshooting paragraphs

Problem: the paragraph has no topic sentence.

Imagine each paragraph as a sandwich. The real content of the sandwich—the meat or other filling—is in the middle. It includes all the evidence you need to make the point. But it gets kind of messy to eat a sandwich without any bread. Your readers don’t know what to do with all the evidence you’ve given them. So, the top slice of bread (the first sentence of the paragraph) explains the topic (or controlling idea) of the paragraph. And, the bottom slice (the last sentence of the paragraph) tells the reader how the paragraph relates to the broader argument. In the original and revised paragraphs below, notice how a topic sentence expressing the controlling idea tells the reader the point of all the evidence.

Original paragraph

Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Revised paragraph

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Once you have mastered the use of topic sentences, you may decide that the topic sentence for a particular paragraph really shouldn’t be the first sentence of the paragraph. This is fine—the topic sentence can actually go at the beginning, middle, or end of a paragraph; what’s important is that it is in there somewhere so that readers know what the main idea of the paragraph is and how it relates back to the thesis of your paper. Suppose that we wanted to start the piranha paragraph with a transition sentence—something that reminds the reader of what happened in the previous paragraph—rather than with the topic sentence. Let’s suppose that the previous paragraph was about all kinds of animals that people are afraid of, like sharks, snakes, and spiders. Our paragraph might look like this (the topic sentence is bold):

Like sharks, snakes, and spiders, piranhas are widely feared. Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless . Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. If the fish are well-fed, they won’t bite humans.

Problem: the paragraph has more than one controlling idea

If a paragraph has more than one main idea, consider eliminating sentences that relate to the second idea, or split the paragraph into two or more paragraphs, each with only one main idea. Watch our short video on reverse outlining to learn a quick way to test whether your paragraphs are unified. In the following paragraph, the final two sentences branch off into a different topic; so, the revised paragraph eliminates them and concludes with a sentence that reminds the reader of the paragraph’s main idea.

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, for the most part, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ first instinct is to flee, not attack. Their fear of humans makes sense. Far more piranhas are eaten by people than people are eaten by piranhas. A number of South American groups eat piranhas. They fry or grill the fish and then serve them with coconut milk or tucupi, a sauce made from fermented manioc juices.

Problem: transitions are needed within the paragraph

You are probably familiar with the idea that transitions may be needed between paragraphs or sections in a paper (see our handout on transitions ). Sometimes they are also helpful within the body of a single paragraph. Within a paragraph, transitions are often single words or short phrases that help to establish relationships between ideas and to create a logical progression of those ideas in a paragraph. This is especially likely to be true within paragraphs that discuss multiple examples. Let’s take a look at a version of our piranha paragraph that uses transitions to orient the reader:

Although most people consider piranhas to be quite dangerous, they are, except in two main situations, entirely harmless. Piranhas rarely feed on large animals; they eat smaller fish and aquatic plants. When confronted with humans, piranhas’ instinct is to flee, not attack. But there are two situations in which a piranha bite is likely. The first is when a frightened piranha is lifted out of the water—for example, if it has been caught in a fishing net. The second is when the water level in pools where piranhas are living falls too low. A large number of fish may be trapped in a single pool, and if they are hungry, they may attack anything that enters the water.

In this example, you can see how the phrases “the first” and “the second” help the reader follow the organization of the ideas in the paragraph.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Lunsford, Andrea. 2008. The St. Martin’s Handbook: Annotated Instructor’s Edition , 6th ed. New York: St. Martin’s.

Rosen, Leonard J., and Laurence Behrens. 2003. The Allyn & Bacon Handbook , 5th ed. New York: Longman.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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How to Write a Paragraph in an Essay

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Written by  Scribendi

The deadline for your essay is looming, but you're still not sure how to write your essay paragraphs or how to structure them. If that's you, then you're in good hands.

After the content of your essay, the structure is the most important part. How you arrange your thoughts in an essay can either support your argument or confuse the reader. The difference comes down to your knowledge of how to write a paragraph to create structure and flow in an essay. 

At its most basic level,  an essay paragraph comprises the following elements: (1) a topic sentence, (2) sentences that develop and support the topic sentence, and (3) a concluding sentence.

Also, when writing a paragraph or essay , keep in mind that most essays follow the five-paragraph model. This model involves writing an introductory paragraph, three paragraphs of supporting arguments, and a conclusion paragraph. 

In most cases, a paper of this length just won't cut it. However, remembering this formula can help you write key paragraphs in your essay, such as an introduction that states the main hypothesis, a body that supports this argument, and a conclusion that ties everything together.

Let's break down how to write a paragraph so you can get that essay written. 

Writing a paragraph means grouping together sentences that focus on the same topic so that the important points are easy to understand. In the body of an essay, each paragraph functions as its own point or argument that backs up the essay's main hypothesis. Each paragraph also includes evidence that supports each argument made. 

It helps to separate each paragraph idea in a quick essay outline before you start writing your paragraphs so you can organize your thoughts. It is also helpful to link each paragraph in a cohesive way that supports your hypothesis. For good paragraph writing to work, your readers will need to be able to clearly follow the ideas you're presenting throughout your essay.  

Essay paragraphs are important for organizing topics and thoughts and for creating readability and flow. Readers often skip large blocks of writing in blog posts, articles, or essays. It can be confusing when there are no breaks between different ideas or when thoughts flow one into the next without any discernible pauses. Knowing how to write a paragraph to help break up your content and ideas is essential for avoiding this.

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Writing a paragraph is easier when you follow a structure. An essay paragraph consists of around 250 words , with the sentence count varying from five to six or more, depending on the type of essay you're writing.

The structure of an essay paragraph includes the following: 

• A topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph that clearly states one idea
• Supporting sentences that explain the idea in the topic sentence and provide evidence to back up that idea 
• A concluding sentence that links back to the original topic sentence idea and segues to the next paragraph

Following this basic structure will ensure that you never have to wonder how to write a paragraph and will keep your essay structure consistent. 

What Is a Topic Sentence?

All good paragraph writing starts with a topic sentence. The topic sentence provides a brief summary of the content. In an essay's body, each paragraph begins with a topic sentence.

The topic sentence gives structure to a paragraph the same way a thesis gives structure to an essay. Both a thesis and a topic sentence state the main idea that drives the rest of the content. In the case of a paragraph, the topic sentence drives the rest of the paragraph content, and in the case of an essay, the thesis drives the rest of the essay content.

When writing a topic sentence, keep in mind that it should be

• The first sentence of your paragraph
• Specific, focusing on a specific area of your thesis statement
• The focus of your paragraph

There are two parts to every topic sentence: the topic, which is what the paragraph will be about, and the controlling idea, which is the paragraph's direction. For example, if your paragraph was about hamsters being great pets, that would be your topic, but your controlling idea might be that there are many reasons why hamsters are great pets.

A paragraph example with a good topic sentence would start out something like this: 

Hamsters are great pets for many reasons. They don't require extensive training, so no time-consuming obedience courses are necessary. They are also relatively inexpensive to own when compared to dogs or cats because they're low-maintenance. 

Examples of Effective Hooks

A paragraph in an essay should always use an effective hook. If you're hoping to grab the attention of your reader, it helps to start your paragraph with a compelling statement or question that will be of interest. 

Here are a few examples to use for inspiration: 

Most people would rather work to live than live to work, and the gig economy makes this possible. 

How important is it for today's influencers to rely on Instagram? 

Daily sugar intake has reached a staggering average of 25 teaspoons per person in the United States.

Supporting Sentences

Writing an essay paragraph is like building an effective and functional house. In the same way that each room has a purpose, each paragraph in your essay should have its own separate topic with supporting sentences . Paragraph writing can be simple if you think of it this way! 

The goal of supporting sentences is to provide evidence validating each topic in your paragraph. Each sentence provides details to help your reader understand the paragraph's main idea. 

If you have trouble coming up with supporting sentences to develop the main idea in your paragraph, try rephrasing your topic sentence as a question. For example, if you're writing about how all babies have three basic needs, ask, what are the three basic needs of all babies? 

At the end of your supporting sentences, add a concluding sentence that ties everything to the main argument of your essay. Repeat this for each supporting argument, and you'll have mastered the concept of how to write a paragraph. Read on for a paragraph example with supporting sentences. 

Supporting Sentence Examples

To get a feel for how to use supporting sentences in a paragraph in an essay, check out this basic example: 

Babies have three basic needs. First, babies need food. Depending on their age, they'll drink formula for their first meals and graduate to soft baby food later. Second, they need shelter. Babies need a safe place to live. Third, they need support. They need someone loving to look out for them and take care of them.  

How to Use Transitions

Knowing how to write a paragraph involves knowing how to use transitions .

Good essay paragraphs have transitions that help ideas flow clearly from one to the next. Given that your essay will include many different ideas and subtopics, your transitions will ensure that your information and ideas are well connected. 

If you're not familiar with transitions, they are words or phrases that connect ideas. They signal a connection between your topic sentence and your supporting sentences, but they also help readers connect ideas between paragraphs. 

At the beginning of a sentence, use a transition to segue into a new idea. At the beginning of each paragraph, use a transition to signal a new concept or idea that you will discuss.

However, try to avoid one-word transitions at the beginning of a paragraph, like "Since" or "While," because they don't usually provide enough information. Instead, try using transitional phrases between paragraphs (instead of words), such as "On the other hand" or "In addition to."  

Examples of Transitions

Here are a few examples of transitions — both one-word transitions and transitional phrases — to use in the paragraphs of your essay:  

• As a result
• For example
• By the same token
• Consequently
• In the meantime
• To summarize
• To conclude
• Undoubtedly
• Subsequently

Writing a paragraph in an essay can be simple if you understand basic paragraph structure. Additionally, it's helpful to keep in mind the structure of an essay and how each essay paragraph links together to form a fully developed argument or idea.

Creating an outline before you start writing your essay—which can also be described as a blueprint (to return to the metaphor of building a house)—is a great way to effectively arrange your topics, support your argument, and guide your writing.

Knowing how to write a paragraph is essential to communicating your thoughts and research, no matter the topic, in a way that is readable and coherent.

How Long Is a Paragraph?

An essay paragraph can vary in length depending on a variety of factors, such as the essay's type, topic, or requirements. Generally, essay paragraphs are three to five or more sentences, since each paragraph should have a fully developed idea with a beginning, middle, and end. 

However, all essays are different, and there are no hard and fast rules that dictate paragraph length. So, here are some guidelines to follow while writing a paragraph:  

• Stick to one idea per paragraph. 
• Keep your paragraphs roughly the same length. 
• Ensure that each page of your essay has 2 – 3 paragraphs.
• Combine shorter paragraphs into a larger one if the smaller paragraphs work together to express a single idea.

Overall, it's the paragraph writing itself that dictates a paragraph's length. Don't get too caught up in trying to reach a specific word count or number of sentences. Understanding this concept is key to knowing how to write a paragraph that conveys a clear and fully developed idea. 

How Do I Know When to Start a New Paragraph?

A new essay paragraph will always signal a new point or idea. Before you think about starting a new paragraph, ask yourself whether you are about to discuss something new that you haven't brought up yet. If the answer is yes, it warrants a new paragraph. 

The end of a paragraph functions as a break for your reader. If you've successfully developed and concluded an idea, you'll know that it's time to begin a new paragraph, especially if the material is long or complex. 

Every essay should have an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph. But as long as you keep in mind that good paragraph writing means starting off with a new idea each time, you're in a good position to know when a new paragraph should begin. 

How Many Paragraphs Do I Need in My Essay?

The number of paragraphs you write in an essay will largely depend on the requirements of the essay. These requirements are usually dictated by an instructor.

For a short, 1-page essay, your instructor might require only three paragraphs. For a longer, 2- to 3-page essay, you might need five paragraphs. For longer essays, there could be up to seven to nine paragraphs. Any essay with more paragraphs than that is usually deemed a thesis or a research paper. 

At a minimum, an essay will always have at least three paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, a body paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph. Depending on the required word or page count or the type of essay (argumentative, informative, etc.), your essay could have multiple paragraphs expanding on different points. An argumentative essay, for example, should have at least five paragraphs. 

Therefore, the most important question to ask when deciding on your number of essay paragraphs is this: What does my professor expect from me? 

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How to write a 4 paragraph essay.

"How to Write a 4-Paragraph Essay" underscores the importance of well-structured paragraphs and topic sentences in effective writing. Addressing the question, "What does a paragraph look like?" a paragraph is defined as a coherent series of sentences, all centered around a single topic. These organized units of writing play a crucial role in guiding the reader through the subdivisions of an essay, helping them discern the essay's organization and comprehend its key points. Paragraphs can encompass diverse information, such as examples, illustrations, descriptions of places, characters, processes, narration of events, comparisons, contrasts, classifications, or discussions on causes and effects.

Despite the variety of content paragraphs can contain, they all share common characteristics, with one of the most crucial being the presence of a topic sentence. This sentence acts as the anchor, encapsulating the main idea of the paragraph and providing readers with a clear understanding of the upcoming content. In essence, paragraphs serve as building blocks in crafting well-organized and coherent essays, ensuring a seamless flow of information for the reader.

Essay Structure - A 4-Paragraph Sample

A 4 paragraph essay may take any form. It could be an argumentative essay, compare and contrast essays, review essays, and so much more. Most four paragraphed essays usually review essays. However, some may be just requiring you to give your point of view on a matter. Therefore, you need to learn how to write this kind of essay. This article will equip you with the basic skills you need to learn to write a great 4 paragraph essay. The most important thing you need to know is how to structure an essay.

The structure of a four paragraph essay is very important as it demonstrates well-thought ideas. In general, these essays take the same structure as any other essay. A well-structured essay has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction gives information on the background of the topic and introduces the thesis of the essay. The introduction is followed by the body.

It should be noted that there should be a proper transition between the introduction and the body. The body of the essay contains well thought and explained ideas to support the thesis effectively. For a four-paragraph essay, the introduction should take up one paragraph. The body should be two paragraphs. Finally, the conclusion should tie all the points with the thesis, hence giving the reader a satisfactory answer to the initial question.

We do understand just how daunting a task is writing those four paragraph essays for undergraduate and postgraduate could be - the sleepless nights of trying to find the right words, the anxiety of not having enough words or not knowing what to cut down, the fear of "What if my essay is not good enough?" We can relate to all those feelings. The exciting thing is that the entire team at our custom writing service doesn't find essay writing daunting, and it would be our absolute delight to help you with your essays.

Components of a five-paragraph essay

A proper essay has three main components. They are the introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction of an essay is different from that of a research paper. For a research paper, the introduction contains background information on the subject you are to cover on the body. It also includes the thesis statement of the paper. For the case of an essay, the introduction does not give any background information; instead, it is supposed to be brief and captivating. The introduction of an essay should compel the reader to read on. When writing the introduction, do not state the obvious, for example, "this essay is about" or "the essay's topic is." Instead, begin with statements that will grab the attention of the reader, for example, a quote, dialogue, a story, or even an informative statement.

The body consists of your main argument. This is, however, dependent on the purpose of your essay. However, make sure that the transition from the introduction to the body is smooth. At his point, you aim to convince and explain to the reader about your topic. To do this, you will need to have a list of points you want to discuss. Therefore, the body should consist of these points with a detailed explanation. To form a solid argument, you should start with the strongest points, followed by the least strong. Major points should be in separate paragraphs. It is essential to ensure that you have relevant and correct examples to support your points. This will play well for you when persuading the reader.

The conclusion of an essay brings closure to the topic and summarizes the main ideas of the essay. Remind the reader of your thesis statement and show some comments to back it up. You could also suggest ways to solving a particular problem if your essay topic was based on such a topic.

How to write better essays

1. Come up with a topic and a title

The main thing is to come up with an effective topic and a title. Firstly, you must understand the functions of a title which include: prediction of content, catching the reader's attention, it reflects the tone as far as the writing is concerned, and finally, it does contain keywords that are easily searchable

A good title takes time to develop since if you fail to come up with a proper title, then everything will fall as you proceed to establish your essay and you will realize you're losing track in your writing.

2. Choose the principal idea, or thesis, of your essay.

A thesis for an essay is quite important and plays a vital role as well since it ensures that the reader has an idea regarding the essay and the discussions that as concerned with the essay. A thesis statement will bring forth the ideas of the essays direct to the reader, and that is why a thesis statement should be strong and to the point. It shouldn't be complicated and always remember that coming up with a well-stated thesis statement does ensure that the topic is effective and this grasps the attention of the reader. A thesis statement determines the destiny of your essay, and it does portray the effort put in by the writer in coming up with the topic and the resulting outline of the essay.

3. Outline your essay into introductory, body and summary paragraphs:

Introductory Paragraph

• Hook : Most people think that writing is something that only those with a born talent can ever do well.

• Thesis : Proper writing takes practice

• Links to the main ideas to be developed in the essay: Relentless practice and not giving up gives rise to the art of writing.

1st Body Paragraph

• Main idea: Practice leads to proper writing skills

• Support : Writing without prior practice and experience + example

• The Conclusion

2nd Body Paragraph

• Main idea: Prior writing experience has changed how writers bring forth their ideas in writing.

• Support : Prior writing experience enables writers to be more experienced and therefore becoming more creative and at the same time avoiding spelling mistakes and other grammatical errors

• Support : Writing what you have experienced makes it easy to come up with different topics, and as a writer, you are comfortable to write literary about anything that comes your way.

3rd Body Paragraph

• Main idea: Writing experience has changed how writers spend their time writing.

• Support : Writers with the least experience tend to take more time coming up with a specific material, and this might affect the rate at which they develop specific content material or a specific type of writing which they have been assigned.

• Support : Proper writing experience ensures that a writer can write more articles and without anything being compromised for example the quality and the degree of creativeness.

The Concluding Paragraph

• Review of main ideas of each paragraph

• Restatement of thesis: Proper writing takes practice

• Concluding thought: Writing will continue to demand practice and self-motivation.

How to improve writing skills in English for students

1. You need to start on a high note by using a question and most specifically a rhetoric one. This is within the introductory paragraph and the interesting sentence is defined as the hook which tends to capture the attention of the reader.

2. Next you have to come up with the thesis statement. This is everything when it comes to shaping the destiny of your essay.

3. Proceed to introduce the body paragraphs which you will link straight from the introduction. This ensures that the whole essay is connected

4. As you proceed with the body paragraphs, ensure that the main point is stated in the start of the body paragraphs. Ensure you have used examples as illustrations to support the main idea in each paragraph

5. Introduce the summary paragraph which only restates the central ideas of the body paragraphs

6. The last sentence generally restates the thesis of the essay which as discussed earlier on, builds the foundation of the entire essay.

7. The final statement: This can predict anything discussed and backed up in the essay body paragraphs with proper illustrations. At this stage, avoid introducing any new ideas.

How to write a good essay in English quickly in 6 steps

1. Go through the instructions

Before getting to the researching step, ensure to read the instructions first where they are provided. You could come up with the best essay but end up scoring a low grade or end up having your essay rejected as a result of not adhering to specified instructions. Ensure that you stick to the word limit, writing style, or any other guidelines which might be provided. Also, make sure that you submit your essay within the specified time to avoid penalties.

2. Research your topic

The next step is to understand your topic. The topic will either be provided, or you'll have the freedom to choose it yourself. If the topic is provided, this simplifies the option of searching for a topic. However, if it is not offered, the task of coming up with a topic that you can build on is upon you. This could work to your advantage. You could work on choosing a topic that you know is interesting to you. Regardless of the circumstances, it is crucial to conduct critical research on whichever topic you have at hand.

A visit to the library and the internet will usually provide all the information you need to write the essay. Ensure that you use credible sources in your research analysis. Take short notes to use later and arrange them properly to help make your work easier. This is important since you might not be able to remember everything you read from all your sources.

3. Prepare an outline for your essay

By taking a look at the notes you have made, you will find that you already have an idea of how your essay will be structured. You can use the points as a guiding factor to help you arrange your thoughts and make an outline of the essay. For example, at the top of a page, write your topic, and list down the main points. Leave a gap between each point. You can list the other minor points which are related to the main points in the gaps you previously left behind.

This is also a way for you to come up with a rough draft of your essay. The rough draft is the right way for you to find out whether your ideas fully work together; if you find that they do, you can move on to the next step.

4. Come up with a thesis statement

Having chosen your topic and using your outlined and drafted points, you can come up with your thesis statement. This helps the reader understand what the whole point of your essay is. Your main points are the indicators of your essay's theme. They will act as a guide to the reader to help them understand where you're going with your essay and why.

5. Write your essay

Now that you have everything you need, it is time to write your essay. Do not get hung up on details like finding the perfect vocabulary; instead, focus on writing your essay. Having written an outline and possibly a draft writing the essay should not be an issue.

6. Proofread and Edit

Once you're done with your essay, please go through it from the beginning and check that all the words flow together effortlessly. Check that the main objectives of your essay have been fulfilled and that your essay has answered the main issue that was being addressed. An important step is also to check that you have adhered to the rules that were provided at the beginning of your essay. If not, you'll have to correct them.

The next step is to edit any grammatical or typographical errors that might be present. Go through the essay several times to ensure that all available mistakes are corrected and that everything is where it should be.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is get started early. It may be difficult at first, but an early start can make a world of difference to that essay for class. If you need help, why not buy cheap essays on our service in an easy, fast, and secure way that will never sacrifice your privacy for convenience -it's never worth it.

How to structure 4 paragraph Academic book reviews.

While there are many reasons to write an academic 4 paragraph book review, getting a "publication" is not one of them. Academic 4 paragraph book reviews rank somewhere below publishing in a semi-obscure conference proceedings, and somewhere slightly above "vaguely laudatory service to the profession.”

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Writing a 4 paragraph book review: nine top tips and things to avoid

• Look at past 4 paragraph book reviews they've published about similar books. After you've read the book, look at reviews for the same book from other major sources. Think about who reads the publication and what they most want out of a 4 paragraph book review. Read a bunch of 4 paragraph book reviews, especially from the journal that's asking you. Then you can get a sense for what is typically included in reviews in general, and in ones that you find helpful. Do not to be overly-effusive with praise. You want to be critical.

• E.g., if it's mostly teaching faculty reading this journal/site, they will want a review to address: can this be used in the classroom? Could students read it?

• There's bound to be something about it you like, so talk about that. Use lots of adjectives. It doesn't have to be lengthy and doesn't spoil the plot.

• Again the point here is not “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say it.” The point is writing this kind of essay requires you engage with the arguments the author presents, and don’t just slam them. An academic 4 paragraph book review is not a yelp review.

• Be keen to avoid typos and errata

• Don’t write an academic review of a book that you can't find anything redeemable about.

A 4 paragraph book review is an essential evaluation of a written text or an object, and this covers all the aspects of books, literature material, among many other forms that can be intertwined at this level. Things you should know about a 4 paragraph book review include:

• A review provides the reader with a concise summary of the entire content. This contains descriptions that are based on the topic and also its general argument and perspective or even purpose.

• A review does offer an essential assessment of the written material. It points out what you, as the reader, you find to be worth noting, whether it is captivating, persuasive, and how it made you feel about the whole issue.

• A review overly suggests at the end of the material at hand can be appreciated by an audience. 

How to write a 4 paragraph book review that is due in ...

1.    First, read the book, and as you are reading, make a few notes about the points you want to get across, and these can be in the form of questions:

• What are the author’s purposes and views regarding this book? - This can clearly be stated in such a few words in the preface of the book or the introduction part.

• What form of evidence does the author use to fortify the points he or she has made? Ask yourself if the evidence is compelling- Do points fully get supported by what the author brings forward as hard evidence?

• How does the book correspond to other books with the same topic relate? - Does this book have some unique aspects? Does it add original and new information, and what group of readers will find this book to provide utility? 

• Has the book been written by a professional writer? Does the author have the skills needed to write readable material?

• Which is an ideal level by which the book can criticize the book? Did the author manage to be successful in relaying his ideas across to the reader and achieve the main purpose of writing the book?

2.    Try to imagine you are telling your friend a story regarding something which may be interesting or not. When you do this, then it becomes much easier since you do not have to follow so many rules, which indeed lead to confusion, and then you’re caught in between the writer’s block since you are afraid of doing the wrong thing. A 4 paragraph book review is simple, and you shouldn’t over think it. Just write as if you are telling your friend a book you read last night.

3.    It is indeed imperative as you are telling your friend about the book you read that you do not forget to mention the name of the author. Remember, the story is not yours, and you should give credit where it’s due. It does not take much effort; just a second or two, and you have grasped that point as your professor is grading your paper.

4.    Make specific points regarding what you are planning to write. This makes it a lot easier, and I do it all the time. Make seven points (an example), then per every point, write a paragraph. It’s clear to see that this is the simplest method since you only need to write like 100 words per every point, and you are good to go. That’s an entire paper you’ve just written. Just make sure you list the points before you get to start writing your 4 paragraph book review.

5.    Before beginning to write your 4 paragraph book review, make sure you have made clear what your theme is since it’s quite disappointing if the reader of your 4 paragraph book review reads the entire text, and he or she doesn’t support what you have just reviewed. Make it clear at the beginning what you will be discussing about, and this makes it easier for everyone who is trying to read your 4 paragraph book review.

6.    You also have to grade the book as per its genre. Does it have one in the first place? Like, does it fall under drama, action & adventure, horror, satire, or even mystery? If it does, then state its genre. You have some points there from your professor!

7.    Think about the writing style the author has used. Does it appeal to your sense of humor? What do you like most about the narrative writing used, the descriptive or expository style used by the author. Comment on this the best way to like.

8.    Use quotes from the book itself. I mean, quotes from the author. This will give the reader some sense of authority that you indeed have read the book, and even if you are not agreeing or you agree with the author, it’s right to pass authorization to the author. Use parenthesis (and include page numbers), avoid self-citations; do not make your views on the topic since this is not your written work.

On the issue of self-citation:

• It would be reasonable to avoid repeating what is essential in the author’s work, but you would rather try a dialogue with other authors!

• At the early stage of 4 paragraph book reviewing, we tend to self-cite to boost overall citations. Avoid this pitfall. You will feel embarrassed at a later stage of career to see your papers filled with self-citations.

9.    I have stated this on point number 8, but I want to give you more details regarding the fact that you should not tell readers of your review what the book is about. Those are your views regarding the book, and they are STRICTLY not allowed since it’s not a written invitation to present your opinions regarding the book or the author. Your review should tell the readers if they should read the book, what is good about the book, or why they should not waste time reading the book altogether.

10.    Spend some time and do some light research regarding the author of the book. This information is vital since you will understand more why the author came up with such a book. A book comes from a writer’s mind, and it’s entirely appropriate that when you write a book, it will rotate around your life, your friends, early school life, etc. so a book is just an invitation to the mind of the author, and you have to explore effectively to come up with a well-written 4 paragraph book review.

Just a recap:

• Read the book and makes notes

• Write a 4 paragraph book review just like you’d imagine telling your friend a story

• State the author's name

• Plan your writing by making points

• State the theme of the 4 paragraph book review to readers during the early stages

• State the genre of the book

• State your opinion regarding the writing style used

• Quote the author in your text

• Do not write your ideas for the book. 

• Please do a deep dive and research EVERYTHING.

How to develop a 4 paragraph Book Report.

Instructors do like to assign 4 paragraph book report assignments, whether oral or in written format to 4th graders, and have you ever wondered why? Yes, you could think it’s an intentional way of forcing students to go deep into their books and read a large volume of books in the library. For sure, it’s even more than that if I can tell you the truth. Your instructor intends to broaden your understanding of today’s world and society, and that is precisely what good books do, they enlighten you to think and act the way the current trends in society expect you to behave regarding certain things. Books help in eye-opening and also in critical thinking. They aid in decision making, crucial eye-opening occurrences regarding experiences, and dealing with people too. This proves that a book is a tool that fully demonstrated that you have experienced reading books. 

What does a 4 paragraph book report include? - Depending on your grade level, 4 paragraph book report content may vary. A middle-grade 4 paragraph book report does provide the minimal or let’s say basic details as far as a book is concerned; for example, a plot summary, several comments regarding the scholar’s opinion, and general impressions. With 4 paragraph book reports that concern students on a higher educational level, you expect them to be a little more detailed and even to deal with themes and other complicated things that regard 4 paragraph book reports.

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Useful tips to help you write an outstanding 4 paragraph book report.

Before going too far with the body of your 4 paragraph book report, spend a few minutes to have all the following questions asked and answered at a personal level.

1)    Did you find the book to be enjoyable? - You can opt to answer this question, for example:

“The book was great; I learned so much about people as well as different cultures. What an amazing author and man.”

“I really love this book, and it’s quite a rare combination, an account of a daughter’s commitment to her dying father. The book was pleasurable to read, and Mike Smith writes gorgeously.”

“I liked the book but not very much; it’s just a book of a wonderful man, father, and grandfather. It’s also a book about diverse cultures. The author doesn’t have acute observations, and sympathy isn’t all that put together to bring the real picture of sad moments. It wasn’t achieved so well I’d say”

2)    Was it well written?

You can answer this question like this:

“The book is an account showing to what depths human beings can go to achieve something meaningful or worthy. The book is simply a well-written account depicting the struggle that human beings can reach. The book doesn’t, however, add anything significant to our knowledge-based regarding the first settlers of Poland.”

“It’s a well-written book, and it drew me from the very beginning. It made me feel like I was standing right there with them as they seek the treasures of the land. There are a lot of good books, and this is one of them actually. I truly enjoyed every part of it. Its rather crazy and fanciful story, though, but at its core, it unveils all aspects of today’s world and how human beings are, typically. It’s a powerful book.”

3)    What was the book’s genre?

Was the book a satire or an anthology which is among the most interesting genres, was it on this list? Philosophy, Biography, Business, Chick Lit, Children's, Christianity, Classics, Comics, Contemporary, Cookbooks, Crime, E-books, Fantasy, Fiction, Gay and Lesbian, Graphic Novels, Ancient Fiction, History, Horror, and finally thought the list could never be exhausted; Humor and Comedy.

4)   Who were the main characters?

 In fiction, which characters did play the most vital roles that intertwine well with the book's overall theme?

William Brown (The Travelling Horn Player)

William is a rebel child in Suburbia. His overall instincts are against what is termed as social-climbing and the humdrum. He has a way of befriending the outcasts.

Flashman (The Discworld Series)

Harry is funny, more honest, and ideally less harmful than the many brave fools whose paths he double-crosses. He is just an admirable rogue

5)    Did you notice ant reoccurring symbols?

In the book “The Old Man and The Sea,” lions are depicted to symbolize the youth, freedom, and immeasurable strength. 

The novella starts with the dream of Santiago, who dreamt about the lion on the beach. 

The lion does represent a hunter who is very wild, noble, and quite manly in nature and the lord and king of that specific area he is living in.

The lions also serve as a symbol of Santiago’s childhood as he reminisces seeing them on the beachside in Africa as he was sailing there as a youth man.

6)    Is the book part of a series?

Is the book part of a more significant collection of books? For example, Harry potter, hunger games, lord of the rings, a song of ice and fire, among other interesting book series ever produced.

7)    For non-fiction books, can you identify the writer’s thesis?

It’s essential to identify the thesis when it comes to non-fiction books. Typically you can simply identify this by being keen when a stance is developed that related to the topic of the book.

8)    What writing style is used in the book?

Does the author use expository writing, narrative writing, persuasive, or descriptive writing? Have you seen instances where the author has used more than one style of writing?

9)    Can a tone be noticeable in the book?

Has the author conveyed a tone in the book? For example, a tone can be introduced in a story using an adjective, which brings forth a feeling of fear, anxiety, excitement, worry. Foolish, smart or depressing moments

10)    Did you happen to come across intentional biases or slant?

You can easily detect bias and prejudice:

• Did the author use inflammatory text, for example, racial descriptions and slurs?

• Did the author make claims to demean?

• Did the author provide evidence which openly is meant to support one side while ignoring information that may demean what the author is trying to support?

11)    Conclusion of a 4th grade 4 paragraph book report.

There is not going to be a change in the conclusion that the few pages synopsis did not tell us. Read the book and then summarize it.

As you are concluding, consider to add the following impressions and opinions:

• Was the ending quite satisfactory for fiction stories?

• Did the evidence actively support the thesis? (Still in non-fiction)

• What facts can be noted as being interesting as far as the author is concerned?

• Finally, would you ever recommend this book to anyone?

Make sure that your conclusion covers an additional paragraph with these additional points. You can re-state the name of the author in this section as well (this entirely depends with your rubric)

Sample 4 paragraph book report 4 th grade

“This book I read was fascinating. Full of so many things. It had all of the makings of a great book. The story...really interesting. All of the characters had their own role to play. The conclusion was one of the best I've ever read." - DT 4 paragraph book report, c. 4th grade.

• Did you find the book to be enjoyable?

• Was it well written?

• Did you notice ant reoccurring symbols?

• Who were the main characters?

• Did you happen to come across intentional biases or slant?

• Is the book part of a series?

• For non-fiction books, can you identify the writer’s thesis?

• What writing style is used in the book?

• Can a tone be noticeable in the book?

• What was the book’s genre?

• Conclusion

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On Paragraphs

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The purpose of this handout is to give some basic instruction and advice regarding the creation of understandable and coherent paragraphs.

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to write good paragraphs will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and revision stages. Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).

The Basic Rule: Keep one idea to one paragraph

The basic rule of thumb with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you are on the same topic or a new one. You can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph. If the single points start to get long, then perhaps elaborating on each of them and placing them in their own paragraphs is the route to go.

Elements of a paragraph

To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following: Unity, Coherence, A Topic Sentence, and Adequate Development. As you will see, all of these traits overlap. Using and adapting them to your individual purposes will help you construct effective paragraphs.

The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.

Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. You can help create coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal bridges.

Logical bridges

• The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence
• Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form

Verbal bridges

• Key words can be repeated in several sentences
• Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
• Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
• Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences

A topic sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all paragraphs have clear-cut topic sentences, and despite the fact that topic sentences can occur anywhere in the paragraph (as the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle), an easy way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. (This is a good general rule for less experienced writers, although it is not the only way to do it). Regardless of whether you include an explicit topic sentence or not, you should be able to easily summarize what the paragraph is about.

Adequate development

The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately. Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers should be wary of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.

Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well-developed:

• Use examples and illustrations
• Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others)
• Examine testimony (what other people say such as quotes and paraphrases)
• Use an anecdote or story
• Define terms in the paragraph
• Compare and contrast
• Evaluate causes and reasons
• Examine effects and consequences
• Analyze the topic
• Describe the topic
• Offer a chronology of an event (time segments)

How do I know when to start a new paragraph?

You should start a new paragraph when:

• When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
• To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
• When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short "break" for your readers—adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
• When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.

Transitions and signposts

Two very important elements of paragraphing are signposts and transitions. Signposts are internal aids to assist readers; they usually consist of several sentences or a paragraph outlining what the article has covered and where the article will be going.

Transitions are usually one or several sentences that "transition" from one idea to the next. Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs flow one into the next.

How to Write a Fourth Grade Essay

Karen hollowell.

If you are a fourth grade student, you are just beginning to learn about composing an essay. You began writing words and short sentences in kindergarten and first grade, and learned how to combine sentences into a paragraph in second and third grade. In fourth grade, you will learn how to combine paragraphs into a composition. A basic essay is made of five paragraphs that discuss one topic. These paragraphs introduce, support, and conclude your information, but should do so in a way that another reader can easily understand.

Explore this article

• How To Write A Fourth Grade Essay
• Choose a topic
• Write the introduction
• Write the body of the essay
• Write the conclusion
• Proofread your essay

1 How To Write A Fourth Grade Essay

2 choose a topic.

Choose a topic. Sometimes the teacher may give you a list of topics, or you may have to brainstorm ideas. When deciding on a topic, focus on a specific subject. For example, if you want to write about dogs, choose one breed of dog or discuss characteristics of dogs that make them good pets.

3 Write the introduction

Write the introduction. This is the first paragraph of your essay. It will contain two or three sentences that tell the reader what you will be discussing in your composition. (Ref. 1.)

4 Write the body of the essay

Write the body of the essay. The body is usually three paragraphs that include details supporting your topic. For example, if your essay is about your favorite character in a novel, each paragraph should discuss one aspect of the character that relates to why he or she is your favorite.

5 Write the conclusion

Write the conclusion. The ending paragraph is similar to the introduction, but you do not use the same words. The conclusion needs to summarize the main point of your essay. For example, a conclusion for an essay about your favorite character in "Huckleberry Finn" might be written like this: "Jim is my favorite character in this novel because he remained brave even though he faced many dangers. He was also a good friend to Huck and helped him to see how bad slavery was."

6 Proofread your essay

Proofread your essay. Your teacher will probably guide you through this process until you know the procedure. Usually you will read your essay after you have written it to be sure the sentences support the topic. Delete or add details as necessary at this time. Then check for grammar mistakes like subject/verb agreement and spelling errors. It is also a good idea to get a classmate or someone at home to read your essay. They may be able to see things that you missed. They can also tell you if your writing was easy to understand.

• 1 Sample Five Paragraph Essay

About the Author

Karen Hollowell has been teaching since 1994. She has taught English/literature and social studies in grades 7-12 and taught kindergarten for nine years. She currently teaches fourth grade reading/language and social studies. Hollowell earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Arts in elementary education from Alcorn State University.

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