Supporting Paragraphs

 

What are supporting paragraphs?

Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay.

 

What do they do?

They develop the main idea of your essay.

 

How do I write them?

1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.

2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.

3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.

 

To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.

 

Examples of transition words that can help you to link your paragraphs together:

 

 For listing different points                For counter examples     

         First                                                       However

         Second                                                  Even though 

         Third                                                     On the other hand 

                                                                        Nevertheless

 

     For additional ideas                         To show cause and effect

         Another                                                 Therefore

         In addition to                                       Thus 

         Related to                                             As a result of 

         Furthermore                                        Consequently 

         Also

 

Like all good paragraphs, each supporting paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a summary sentence.