Paragraph Organization

Topic SentenceA well-organized essay presents at least three single

topics that support the overall purpose of the essay.

A well-organized paragraph presents one single topic through the use of 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”

“A topic sentence encapsulates or organizes an entire paragraph”, and needs to be included in each body paragraph (“Writing”, n.d.).

Topic sentences need to connect to the purpose of the essay (presented in the thesis statement).

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.

• 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. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.

Paragraph Organization

Each BODY PARAGRAPH has three parts:

Introduction: topic sentence + sentences that provide background information

Body: discusses the single topic through the use of facts, arguments, analysis, examples, statistics, etc.

Conclusion: Summarizes connections between information presented and the overall purpose (thesis statement).

The punishment of criminals has always been a problem for society. Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree murderers should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society. Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed. They believe that killing criminals will set an example for others and also rid society of a cumbersome burden; conversely, other citizens say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. According to “The Case Against the Death Penalty” (2012), the ACLU shares their findings that “[t]he vast majority of law enforcement professionals surveyed agree that capital punishment does not deter violent crime; a survey of police chiefs nation wide found they rank the death penalty lowest among ways to reduce violent crime.” In fact, states with the death penalty have the highest murder rates (“Modern Era, 2012). If the death penalty isn’t a deterrent and, in fact, is quite expensive due to the process and appeals, the practice needs to be abolished. Many people believe that society as well as the criminal is responsible for the crimes; thus, killing the criminal does not solve the problems of either society or the criminal.

The punishment of criminals has always been a problem for society. Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree murderers should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society. Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed. They believe that killing criminals will set an example for others and also rid society of a cumbersome burden; conversely, other citizens say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. According to “The Case Against the Death Penalty” (2012), the ACLU shares their findings that “[t]he vast majority of law enforcement professionals surveyed agree that capital punishment does not deter violent crime; a survey of police chiefs nation wide found they rank the death penalty lowest among ways to reduce violent crime.” In fact, states with the death penalty have the highest murder rates (“Modern Era, 2012). If the death penalty isn’t a deterrent and, in fact, is quite expensive due to the process and appeals, the practice needs to be abolished. Many people believe that society as well as the criminal is responsible for the crimes; thus, killing the criminal does not solve the problems of either society or the criminal.

Topic Sentence:

The punishment of criminals has always been a problem for society.

More background information:

Citizens have had to decide whether offenders such as first-degree murderers should be killed in a gas chamber, imprisoned for life, or rehabilitated and given a second chance in society.

Main Discussion:

Many citizens argue that serious criminals should be executed.

They believe that killing criminals will set an example for others and also rid society of a cumbersome burden; conversely, other citizens say that no one has the right to take a life and that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime.

Research:

According to “The Case Against the Death Penalty” (2012), the ACLU shares their findings that “[t]he vast majority of law enforcement professionals surveyed agree that capital punishment does not deter violent crime; a survey of police chiefs nation wide found they rank the death penalty lowest among ways to reduce violent crime.” In fact, states with the death penalty have the highest murder rates (“Modern Era, 2012).

Conclusion:

What did the research say?

If the death penalty isn’t a deterrent and, in fact, is quite expensive due to the process and appeals, the practice needs to be abolished.

Connect to overall purpose:

Many people believe that society as well as the criminal is responsible for the crimes; thus, killing the criminal does not solve the problems of either society or the criminal.

While there is little doubt that extracurricular opportunities at UT are a positive and critical component of students‟ overall development, providing students with time management skills is equally important. One only needs to look at past alumni to see the validity of this claim. As famous alum George W. Bush states, “I sometimes overdid it when I was at UT, missing out on valuable academic opportunities. Fortunately, I buckled down in my senior year and managed to make a ‘C’ average and things have worked out fine since” (227). In this example, George W. Bush is arguing that the detrimental effects of extracurricular excesses can be rectified in the senior year of college. While George W. Bush is certainly correct when he implies that it is never too late for a student to try to raise his or her GPA, it is probably better for students to attempt to balance academic and other activities early in their college career. Also, Bush assumes that all students can achieve what they want with a ‘C’ average, but many students need higher GPAs in order to apply to professional school, graduate school and for graduate-entry jobs. While extracurricular activities are often a positive and critical component of student life at UT, administrators should consider instigating a time management education and awareness course for all incoming freshmen. After all, not every UT graduate will be as lucky as George W. Bush; if our students are going to succeed in business and higher education, we need to first ensure they understand the importance of time management.

While there is little doubt that extracurricular opportunities at UT are a positive and critical component of students‟ overall development, providing students with time management skills is equally important. One only needs to look at past alumni to see the validity of this claim. As famous alum George W. Bush states, “I sometimes overdid it when I was at UT, missing out on valuable academic opportunities. Fortunately, I buckled down in my senior year and managed to make a ‘C’ average and things have worked out fine since” (227). In this example, George W. Bush is arguing that the detrimental effects of extracurricular excesses can be rectified in the senior year of college. While George W. Bush is certainly correct when he implies that it is never too late for a student to try to raise his or her GPA, it is probably better for students to attempt to balance academic and other activities early in their college career. Also, Bush assumes that all students can achieve what they want with a ‘C’ average, but many students need higher GPAs in order to apply to professional school, graduate school and for graduate-entry jobs. While extracurricular activities are often a positive and critical component of student life at UT, administrators should consider instigating a time management education and awareness course for all incoming freshmen. After all, not every UT graduate will be as lucky as George W. Bush; if our students are going to succeed in business and higher education, we need to first ensure they understand the importance of time management.

Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called “forget sauce” to their foods. Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants. “Forget sauce” has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers. After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience. Within a short period, however, the chemical in “forget sauce” takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser.

Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called “forget sauce” to their foods. Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu. In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants. “Forget sauce” has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers. After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience. Within a short period, however, the chemical in “forget sauce” takes effect, and they can be depended upon to return and spend, older but no wiser.

Many fast-food chains make their profits from adding a special ingredient called “forget sauce” to their foods.

This sentence controls the content of the paragraph. All of the information in this paragraph need to relate to…

• fast food chains

• their profit

• “forget sauce”

Supporting discussion

• Made largely from edible oil products, this condiment is never listed on the menu.

• In addition, this well-kept industry secret is the reason why ingredients are never listed on the packaging of victuals sold by these restaurants.

• “Forget sauce” has a chemical property which causes temporary amnesia in consumers.

Last sentence: Conclusion/Transition

• After spending too much money on barely edible food bereft of any nutritional value, most consumers swear they will never repeat such a disagreeable experience.