Paragraph structure

So, you're writing an essay. Awesome! Have fun with it, but do you keep finding that your teacher keeps talking about weak paragraph formation, and weak arguments? 

There's an easy fix for this. 

Your paragraphs should really be an inverted triangle, broad statements becoming narrower and more concise to reach a point. 

How do you structure this? Well you know that each paragraph should have a main point and then at least three or so points to defend your position, but how do you structure that? An easy formula is: 

1. Tell them what you're going to tell them- give the reader an introduction to your point- tell them what your point of view is

2. Tell them- tell them why this is true- support your claim with at least three points

3. Tell them what you told them- summarize your argument and lead it into the next sentence. Make sure your concluding sentence of that particular paragraph doesn't give the next point away, but is a smooth transition which summarizes your point and go on.

Another way to think about an essay is the hamburger model which illustrates how you need a beginning and end, and filler in the middle that is organized and well illustrated. 

 

Good Luck!