The Kaplan University Writing Center presents
The Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization The Learning Objectives for the Topic Sentence
and Paragraph Organization Tutorial are to identify the topic sentence of a paragraph, identify different types of supporting details, recognize signal words in paragraphs identify organizational patterns of paragraphs, and to apply the reviewed concepts in the
accompanying On Your Own activities. The Topic Sentence. The topic sentence is an
important feature of a paragraph. It is the most general sentence in a paragraph. And it has two
parts: a topic, which is the subject or issue
being discussed and a controlling idea: a point, opinion, or feeing
about the topic. For example, Snow skiing is a
challenging sport with important requirements. In this example, the subject of the sentence,
snow skiing, is the topic, and the predicate of
the sentence expresses the point or opinion about the topic: that it is challenging and has
important requirements. As the controlling idea,
the rest of the paragraph will serve to develop this point with supporting details. The topic sentence is therefore often the first
sentence in a paragraph. This example begins
with the topic sentence about snow skiing, and the rest of the paragraph follows to progress the
topic on skiing and to develop the controlling
idea that it is challenging and has requirements. Looking at the body of the paragraph, it first
describes skiing: bending your knees and
putting your weight on the downhill ski during turns will help you control your speed as you
ski. And then the paragraph explains why these
requirements are important. If you do not adhere to these requirements, you may ski too fast and
even fall. The topic sentence can also come later in the
paragraph as we see in this example. This
typically happens when the first sentence is a transition from a previous paragraph or when you
want to begin the paragraph with a catchy detail
or a fact to capture the reader's attention. In this paragraph, we begin with a description of an
important requirement for skiing—that bending
your knees and putting your weight on the downhill ski during turns will help you control
your speed as you ski. The topic sentence
follows to capture the main ideas of that description—giving the topic—snow skiing—and
the comment or controlling idea about it—that
it’s challenging with important requirements. The final sentence then develops this idea further
by warning that these requirements must be
followed to stay in control and avoid falling. Let's look now at The Topic Sentence, On Your
Own. See if you can identify the topic sentence
in the following paragraph along with the specific topic and the controlling idea. Pause the video to read more closely at your
own pace, but I will also read it once aloud. Toddlers have strong opinions about certain food.
Broccoli (“trees”) and alphabet soup can bring
shrieks of delight. Happy eaters are not always skillful or neat eaters, however. Toddlers still
have much to learn about using a fork and
spoon. Are you able to identify the topic sentence? Let's reveal it now. Is this the one you guessed? Then you are correct. It is the first sentence of
the paragraph. According to this topic sentence, the paragraph is largely about toddlers but the
controlling idea concerns their opinions about
food or eating preferences. Nice work identifying the topic sentence! Supporting Details In a paragraph, the topic and controlling idea are
developed with supporting details. Listed here are the types of supporting details
you'll find in the sentences that make up a
paragraph. Facts: facts are statistics or evidence from
research that can be verified. And here's a
sentence that includes facts. The office sold seven million dollars of real
estate during the boom years in its first few
years of existence. Notice in this case, the fact has been cited. Opinions: opinions are quotes or paraphrases
from subject matter experts. Here's a sentence that includes an opinion. According to expert tea maker, Stoff (2010),
there are three easy steps to making tea. Here too, the opinion has been cited where we
give credit to where the informaiton came from. Definitions: definitions are explanations of what
a term or concept means. And here's a sentence that contains a definition. A “crossover” is a family vehicle with the features
of a sedan, mini-van, and an SUV. Examples: examples are demonstrations or
illustrations that show how something is or how
it is done. Here is a sentence that contains an example. Mario was a shy, introverted young man. For
example, he had few friends and mostly kept to
himself. Anecdotes: anecdotes are narrative accounts of
one time or recurring events. Here's a sentence that includes an anecdote. When I visited the Washington Monument, I
toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular
one hundred and eighty degree view the most. And finally, descriptions. A description is a
visual or sensory depiction of a person, place,
event, activity, or idea. Here's a sentence that contains description. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter
boots on the path through the snow frosted
trees. Now it is time for you to identify supporting
details on your own. In the paragraph provided, identify the various
types of supporting details that you find. Pause the video to read at your own pace, but I
will also read it aloud. Hiking can be especially exhilarating during
snowy, winter months. When my friend and I
visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest
peak, Mount Mitchell, which is six thousand, six
hundred, and eighty-four feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly
moving, ice-cold river and then followed a
wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter
boots on the path through the snow frosted
trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing
feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain
air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling
and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits
the cold air! A paragraph may not every type of detail in it,
but it might have more than one type as they
develop the topic and main idea with more information and depth. Let's reveal some of the
types of details in this paragraph. There are several types of supporting details in
this paragraph, and each type is color-coded. Notice that the paragraph begins and ends with
an opinion. The topic sentence, in fact, is an opinion. It provides the topic, hiking in the winter, and
also the opinion about it or the controlling idea
for the paragraph, that it's exhilarating. And in the middle of the paragraph there is an
anecdote. This anecdote provides evidence for
the exhilaration. Here we have a story about visiting and hiking to
the waterfall, and then there is also a fact about
Mount Mitchell. Additionally, there are descriptions of the area: the frostbit leaves. Great work identifying the various types of
details that might be in a paragraph. Perhaps
you even found more! Paragraph Organization Along with having topic sentences and
supporting details, paragraphs are also
organized to achieve a certain purpose. Writers use Cause and Effect organization for
showing how one thing leads to another, Chronological Order for narrating events that
occurred over time, Classification for grouping things together
according to their features, Compare and Contrast for showing how things
are similar or different, Definition and Example for defining a term or
idea then expanding it with examples, Description for listing details, and Episode for presenting details or information
about a specific event. Writers also use General to Specific order for
presenting a general idea followed by specific
examples, Writers also use General to Specific order for
presenting a general idea followed by specific
examples, the Generalization/Principal organization for
making a general statement or applying a broad
principal along with supporting details, Listing for presenting ideas in any order as a
sequence, Order of Importance for building up to or
leading away from the most important idea, Problem and Solution for presenting an issue
and ways to address it, Process/Cause for explaining what or how
something happens and then why and writers also use Spacial Order for ordering
details directionally. and writers also use Spacial Order for ordering
details directionally. Paragraph Organization: Signal Words Signal words indicate a type of organizational
pattern, and they further the meaning of the
content by way of that organization. In Cause and Effect organization, the signal
words you might come across are because,
consequently, for this reason, hence, and on account of. In paragraphs organized using Chronological
Order, we might find after, at last, at three
o'clock or some other time, as long as, at the same time, as soon as, before, during,
eventually, finally, later, meanwhile, next, on
Thursday or some other day or date, since, second, subsequently, then, until, and whenever. Classification uses the following types of signal
words: categories, classes, classifications,
elements, features, groups, kinds, methods, types, varieties, and ways. In paragraphs using Compare and Contrast,
we might find another, both, however, likewise,
one difference, on the other hand, on the contrary, similarity, similarly, unlike, and while. Here are the signal words for Definition and
Example: concept, defined as, described as,
e.g., which means, "for example," for example, for instance, i.e., which also means, "for
instance," illustrates, is, is called, is stated,
known as, means, refers to, specifically, such as, term, and that is to say. Description: above, across, along, appears to
be, as in, behind, below, beside, between, down,
in back of, in front of, looks like, near, onto, on top of, outside, over, such as, to the
right or left, and under. Episode: a few days/weeks later, around the
same time, as a result of, as it is often called,
because of, began when, consequently, for this reason, just, lasted for, led to, shortly
thereafter, since then, subsequently, this led to,
and when. In paragraphs organized using
General/Specific order, some signal words
might be for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, in other words, like, namely, such as,
and that is. Generalization/Principal uses additionally,
always, because of, clearly, conclusively, first,
for instance, for example, furthermore, generally, however, if...then, in fact, it could be argued that,
moreover, most convincing, never, not only...but
also, often, second, therefore, third, truly, and typically. In Listing, we might find these signal words:
additionally, also, and, as well as, besides,
furthermore, in addition, in fact, moreover, or, plus, and too. Order of Importance: central, chief, ending
with, finishing with, key, lastly, least, main,
major, finally, primary, principal, and significant. Problem and Solution organizaiton might have
the following signal words: answer, challenge,
difficulty, dilemma, enigma, indicate, improve, issue, need, plan, problem, propose, resolve,
respond, solve, and suggest. Process/Cause organization: accordingly, as a
result of, because, begins with, consequently,
effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, Process/Cause organization: accordingly, as a
result of, because, begins with, consequently,
effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, how, if...then, in order to, is caused by, leads or
led to, may be due to, next, so that, steps
involved, therefore, thus, and when...then. And the signal words of the final paragraph
organization we're going to examine, Spatial
Order: above, below, behind, beside, down, east, feels, highest, looks, lowest, next to,
north, smells, sounds, south, tastes, under,and
west. Paragraph Organization: The Topic Sentence,
Supporting Details, and Signal Words in Context Let's read this paragraph paying attention to the
order of ideas. Pause the video if necessary to
read at a slower pace or at your own pace, but I will read it once aloud. Fifteen years ago, Lawrence started his real
estate business, and it has since become a
huge success. In 1995, Lawrence Real Estate opened its door in Oviedo, Florida and sold
seven million dollars of real estate during the first
few “boom years” (Stoff, 2010). By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices:
one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004.
By 2007, the home office and both the branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so
Lawrence and his associates are expanding
their business to the Carolinas and plan to open a branch office in Charlotte in 2011. It can be
safely said that in the last fifteen years,
Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite the economic struggle and real
estate devaluation. According to the topic sentence, this paragraph
was about Lawrence and his real estate
business. Notice that the sentence contains two
coordinating clauses. It therefore has two
subjects and in this case, also two topics. The controlling idea about Lawrence and his
business it has been successful. Let's now look
at how the supporting detail are organized to present the information about this topic and
idea. To do this, we look at the way the sentences
begin. The transition or signal words are what
lead readers along a certain line of thinking. Here we see "fifteen years ago," "in 1995," "by
2000," "by 2007" and "in the last fifteen years."
"Do you see a pattern? The dates make a pattern. They go back fifteen
years, but then in a chronological order, they
move forward to when the success of the business happened. Notice too that the last sentence returns to the
beginning idea of 15 years ago. In this sentence,
a final comment about the time period overall is Notice too that the last sentence returns to the
beginning idea of 15 years ago. In this sentence,
a final comment about the time period overall is given with respect to the new information in the
body of the paragraph. This is a chronological
paragraph organization. This paragraph is organized differently than the
previous one. The topic sentence is already identified for us:
"Making a cup of tea is easy if you follow these
three steps. " First, heat a cup of water to a boiling point.
Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it
seep into the hot water for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to
taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup
of tea early in the morning. Let’s look at the pattern of organization by
identifying the signal words at the beginning of
the sentences. We find "first," "then," and "finally." And the
concluding sentence makes a final comment
about the process of making a cup of tea. Based on the signal words and the overall
content, we find that this is Process paragraph
organization. This paragraph shows us another way to present
and organize details. The Washington Monument is divided into three
main areas. The lowest section of the building
houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists
of elevators and stairways to the top. The top
section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the
Washington DC area. When I visited the
Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree view the
most. We find the topic sentence in the beginning of
the paragraph. The topic is "Washington
Monument," and the controlling idea is that it is divided into three main areas. The paragraph
presents information about the lowest section
first, then the middle section, and the top section. And the last sentence
makes a remark about the most enjoyable of all
the sections. This is an example of Spatial organization. Based on the signal words and the information
given, we find that it's organized spatially. This next paragraph shows us another way to
organize the details of a topic. The topic sentence in this paragraph is
structured differently than the other ones we’ve
looked at. Typically the topic of a sentence is also the
grammatical subject. However, here, the subject
is “there,” a pronoun, and the topic is then in the predicate of the sentence. The topic,
what the paragraph is about, is “family vehicles.” The controlling idea is that there are three types
made in the US. Let's read the paragraph now.
Listen for those signal words. There are three types of family vehicles made in
the United States. The first type is the minivan.
All American car manufactures make a version There are three types of family vehicles made in
the United States. The first type is the minivan.
All American car manufactures make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and
amenities of the minivan compare to none. The
second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four wheel drive to navigate tough
terrains, and they also offer seating for a large
crowd. A third type of family vehicles is called the “crossover.” These vehicles supposedly have
the best features of the sedan, mini-van, and
SUV. They are easy to maneuver, look much like a
regular sedan, and sit up to six people. All of
these vehicles are family friendly; they offer safety, roomy comfort, and many extra features
to accommodate the special needs of families. We organize information by types or
something’s features by using signal words that
classify. Here, we find the word "type" used over and
over: "the first type," "the second type," "a third
type." And the final sentence speaks of "all of these vehicles" or all of these types of vehicles.
This is an example of Classification. In this next paragraph, we will look at an
organizational pattern for comparing and
contrasting twin brothers. Listen for the signal words! Although the twin brothers shared many
physical characteristics, they handled
themselves differently in social situations. Mario was a shy introverted young man. He had
few friends and mostly kept to himself. On the
other hand, Gino was outgoing and the life of the party. Unlike Mario, Gino had many friends and
felt totally at ease among big crowds. The best
way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they
interact with the other guests. When the topic sentence is a complex
sentence that has more than one clause, there
may be two sentence subjects and therefore two topics. We've seen this before, and we see it
again here. In this sentence, the subject of the
first clause is “the twin brothers,” and the subject for the second clause is "they." So the
subjects are referring to the same thing, and
there's also just one topic: the twin brothers. The controlling idea is that they share many
physical characteristics but that socially, they
handle themselves differently. The paragraph therefore provides examples of these similarities
and differences. Looking at some of the transitions between
ideas, we find signal words that create contrast
such as “although” and “on the other hand” as well as “unlike.” We also find other signal words such as “apart”
and “differently” that further reinforce the
Compare and Contrast organizational pattern. We will review one more way to organize the
details of a paragraph. Let's read this one. Take special note of the signal words! There are many reasons why I enjoy walking
tours when visiting new cities. For starters,
walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry.
This often results in meeting locals and
experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. the details of an area without having to hurry.
This often results in meeting locals and
experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and
inexpensive because there are no strict
schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with
firsthand experiences of the places they visit and
the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there. In this paragraph, the first sentence begins with
“there are,” which tells us nothing of the topic or
controlling idea, so we must read beyond the opening subject and verb to find the topic.
Additionally, this is a complex sentence with two
clauses connected by “why,” so there may be two topics. Do you see what they are? Looking at the objects of both clauses, we find
“many reasons” and “walking tours,” and having
read the paragraph already, we know that it was indeed about reasons and walking tours. The
controlling idea links those two topics together
to convey why they are enjoyable when we visit new cities. The signal words build on this idea of reasons.
Notice, "this often results" and also, "because." The last sentence also provides us a signal
word: "rewarded," which indicates an effect. This paragraph is organized according to Cause
and Effect. Now it’s time for you to practice identifying a
paragraph’s organization On Your Own. Pause the video to read the paragraph to
yourself and determine how it is organized. Is it Chronological? A Process? Spatial? Is this
an example of Classification? Compare and
Contrast? Cause and Effect? What signal words led you to your conclusion? Hiking can be especially exhilarating during
snowy, winter months. When my friend and I
visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest
peak, Mount Mitchell, which is six thousand, six
hundred, and eighty-four feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly
moving, ice-cold river and then followed a
wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path
through the snow frosted trees. We also saw
deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than
inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest
part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath
turn to frost when it hits the cold air!
You may have recognized this paragraph from
our earlier discussion about supporting details
and how a single paragraph can include different types of details. We'll now see how
they can be organized so that the paragraph is
unified and cohesive--that is, focused on the main topic while also progressing from one idea
to the next logically and fluidly. main topic while also progressing from one idea
to the next logically and fluidly. We’ll begin our analysis by first looking at the
topic sentence, which is an important element of
paragraph organization. In this paragraph we find that the grammatical
subject of the first sentence, hiking, is the topic,
and the predicate of the first sentence about hiking being exhilarating, especially during the
winter, is the controlling idea. Based on this, we
can expect the paragraph to develop this idea of hiking being exhilarating with various types of
details, and the signal words will reveal the
organization of those details. So, taking inventory of the signal words, we first
come upon "last January," giving us a sense of
time, specifically, a time in the past. Then while in the past, we find signal words
such as “first” and “then,” creating a chronology
of events, and the final idea also uses a time-related signal word or phrase to frame the
paragraph content “in winter,” so overall, this
paragraph is organized chronologically. Looking at other signal words in the paragraph,
however, we also find terms associated with
Spatial organization such as "over," beneath," and "through." This is typical of a narrative that
includes descriptive elements about the setting. And there are additional signal words related to
Description and the five senses as well. We're
sensing the cold river, hearing leaves crunch, seeing animals and the frosty air, and also
smelling the fresh mountain air. What’s more, the concluding thought contrasts
inhaling and exhaling. So while the basic
structure is Chronological, within it, we also find Spatially organized details, Description or
listing and a comment that uses Compare and
Contrast, and all working together to progress the idea of hiking being especially exhilarating in
the winter. Do you agree that the paragraph conveys this
idea well? Or would you have organized it
differently? With as many organizational patterns as there
are, you do have many options for how to best
convey your ideas! Taking the Paragraph and Topic Sentence into
Consideration. When you read directions, your texts, and the
articles you research, when you read your own
writing in order to revise and edit, increase your comprehension of the content by understanding
paragraph organization. What topic is being discussed? What is the "controlling idea" about the topic? How do the details in the paragraph support this
idea? What types of details are they? And how are
they organized? What types of details are they? And how are
they organized? Remember, look for the signal words! This Kaplan University Writing Center resource
was created by Chrissine Rios and Millie Stoff.
For more information about our services, please contact us at kuwc@kaplan.edu.

The Topic Sentence 3 The topic sentence is the most general sentence in a paragraph. Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Snow skiing is a challenging sport with important requirements. Example: A topic sentence has two parts: 1. A topic: the subject or issue being discussed 2. A controlling idea: a point, opinion, or feeling about the topic 4 Bending your knees and putting your weight on the downhill ski during turns will help you control your speed as you ski. If you do not adhere to these requirements, you may ski too fast and even fall. Snow skiing is a challenging sport with important requirements. The topic sentence is often the first sentence in a paragraph. The Topic Sentence Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation 5 Bending your knees and putting your weight on the downhill ski during turns will important requirements. If you do not adhere to these requirements, you may ski too fast and even fall. The topic sentence can also come later in the paragraph. The Topic Sentence Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © green_apple.jpg The Kaplan University Writing Center presents The Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation. green_apple.jpg Learning Objectives for the Topic Sentence and Paragraph Organization Tutorial: Identify the topic sentence of a paragraph. © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation. 3. Recognize signal words in paragraphs. 5. Apply the reviewed concepts in the accompanying On Your Own Activities. 4. Identify organizational patterns of paragraphs. 2. Identify different types of supporting details. The Topic Sentence 3 The topic sentence is the most general sentence in a 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation 6 The Topic Sentence On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Toddlers have strong opinions about certain food. Broccoli (“trees”) and alphabet soup can bring shrieks of delight. Happy eaters are not always skillful or neat eaters, however. Toddlers still have much to learn about using a fork and spoon. Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph along with the specific topic and the controlling idea: 7 The Topic Sentence On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Toddlers have strong opinions about certain food. Broccoli (“trees”) and alphabet soup can bring shrieks of delight. Happy eaters are not always skillful or neat eaters, however. Toddlers still have much to learn about using a fork and spoon. Identify the topic sentence in the following help you control your speed as you ski. Snow skiing is a challenging sport with important requirements. If you do not adhere to these requirements, you may ski too fast and even fall. The topic sentence can also come later in the paragraph. The Topic Sentence Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation 7 The Topic Sentence On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Toddlers have strong opinions about certain food. Broccoli (“trees”) and alphabet soup can bring shrieks of delight. Happy eaters are not always skillful or neat eaters, however. Toddlers still have much to learn about using a fork and spoon. Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph along with the specific topic and the controlling idea: before, during, eventually, finally, later, meanwhile, next, on (day or date), since, second, subsequently, then, until, and whenever Classification: categories, classes, classifications, elements, features, groups, kinds, methods, types, varieties, and ways Compare and Contrast: another, both, however, likewise, one difference, on the other hand, on the contrary, similarity, similarly, unlike, and while Signal words indicate a type of organizational pattern and further the meaning of the content by way of that organization. Paragraph Organization: Signal Words 11 Cause and Effect: for showing how one thing leads to another Chronological Order: for narrating events that occurred over time Classification: for grouping things together according to their features Compare and Contrast: for showing how things are similar or different Definition and Example: for defining a term or idea then expanding it with examples Description: for listing details Episode: for presenting details or information about a specific event Along with having topic sentences and Supporting Details, paragraphs are also organized to achieve a certain purpose. Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Details On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! 10 Facts, Opinions, Definitions, Examples, Anecdotes, Descriptions Identify the various types of supporting details in this paragraph: Supporting Details Comprehension Check Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air! However, the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! Details Comprehension Check Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, so Lawrence and his associates are expanding their business to the Carolinas and plan to open a branch office in Charlotte in 2011. It can be safely said that in the last fifteen years, Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite the economic struggle and real estate devaluation. 22 Chronological Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All dollars of real estate during the first few “boom years” (Stoff, 2010). By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. 17 Process/Cause: accordingly, as a result of, because, begins with, consequently, effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, how, if...then, in order to, is caused by, leads/led to, may be due to, next, so that, steps involved, therefore, thus, and when...then Spatial Order: above, below, behind, beside, down, east, feels, highest, looks, lowest, next to, north, smells, sounds, south, tastes, under, and west Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Signal words indicate a type of organizational pattern and further the meaning of the content by way of that organization. Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Fifteen years ago, Lawrence Gino had many friends and felt totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they interact with the other guests. 36 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Although the twin brothers shared many physical characteristics, they handled themselves differently in social situations. Mario was a shy introverted young man. He had few friends and mostly kept to himself. On the other hand, Gino was outgoing and the life of the party. Unlike Mario, Gino had many friends and felt totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they interact with the other guests. 37 Compare and Contrast Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Gino had many friends and felt totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they interact with the other guests. 38 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are many reasons why I Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules 25 Process Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Making a great cup of tea is easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to a boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it seep into the hot water for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup of tea early in the morning. easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to a boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it seep into the hot water for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup of tea early in the morning. 26 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree view the 27 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington 28 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree view the most. 29 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree view the most. 30 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree views the most. 31 Spatial Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation The Washington Monument is divided into three main areas. The lowest section of the building houses the entrance, a gift shop, and a restaurant. The middle section consists of elevators and stairways to the top. The top section of the Monument includes an observation deck with a spectacular view of the Washington DC area. When I visited the Washington Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree views 32 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are three types of family vehicles made in the United States. The first type is the minivan. All American car manufactures make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and amenities of the minivan compare to none. The second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four wheel drive to navigate tough terrains, and they also offer seating for a large crowd. A third type of family vehicles results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences of the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there. 42 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, 41 Cause and Effect Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are many reasons why I enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a Chrissine Rios and Millie Stoff For more information about our services, please contact us at kuwc@kaplan.edu. © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation. paragraph along with the specific topic and the controlling idea: Chrissine Rios and Millie Stoff For more information about our services, please contact us at kuwc@kaplan.edu. © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation. green_apple.jpg Copyright and Credits © 2011, Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Music © 2011 “Letter of seven million dollars of real estate during the boom years in its first few years of existence (Stoff, 2011). Opinions: quotes or paraphrases from subject matter experts Definitions: explanations of what a term or concept means A “crossover” is a family vehicle with the features of a sedan, mini-van, and an SUV. Examples: demonstrations or illustrations that show how something is or how it is done Mario was a shy, introverted young man. [For example,] he had few friends and mostly kept to himself. Anecdotes: Monument, I toured every section but enjoyed the spectacular 180 degree view the most. Descriptions: a visual or sensory depiction of a person, place, event, activity, snow frosted trees. In a paragraph, the topic and controlling idea are developed with Supporting Details. Supporting Details Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation 9 Facts, Opinions, Definitions, Examples, Anecdotes, Descriptions Details On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, 18 Paragraph Organization: The Topic Sentence, Supporting Details, and Signal Words in Context Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation http://intranet.kaplan.edu/kunet/SiteDirectory/WritingCenter/Wo rkshop%20Handouts%20%20Data/Clip%20Art%20for%20Workshops/book%20with%20glasses.jpg 19 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Fifteen years ago, Lawrence Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. By 2007, the home office and both the branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so Lawrence and his associates are expanding their business to the Carolinas and plan to open a branch office in Charlotte in 2011. It can be safely said that in the last fifteen years, Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite the economic struggle and real estate devaluation. 20 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Fifteen years ago, Lawrence started his real estate business, and it has since become a huge success. In 1995, Lawrence Real Estate opened its door in Oviedo, Florida and sold seven million dollars of real estate during the first few “boom years” (Stoff, 2010). By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. By 2007, the home office and both the branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so Lawrence and his associates are expanding their business to the Carolinas and plan to open a branch office in Charlotte in 2011. It can be safely said that in the last fifteen years, Lawrence Real Estate has become a model for success despite the economic struggle and real estate devaluation. 21 Chronological Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Fifteen years ago, Lawrence started his real estate business, and it has since become a huge success. In 1995, Lawrence Real State opened its door in Oviedo, Florida and sold seven million dollars of real estate during the first few “boom years” (Stoff, 2010). By 2000, Lawrence decided to open two branch offices: one in Tampa in 2003 and one in Miami in 2004. Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation 14 Definition and Example: concept, defined as, described as, e.g., for example, for instance, i.e., illustrates, is, is called, is stated, known as, means, refers to, specifically, such as, term, and that is to say Description: above, across, along, appears to be, as in, behind, below, beside, between, down, in back of, in front of, looks like, near, onto, on top of, outside, over, such as, to the right/left, and second, subsequently, then, until, and whenever Classification: categories, Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Classification, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of in order to, is caused by, leads/led to, may be due to, next, so that, steps involved, Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Signal words indicate a type of under Episode: a few days/weeks later, around the same time, as a result of, as it is often called, because of, began when, consequently, for this reason, just, lasted for, led to, shortly thereafter, since then, subsequently, this led to, and when Paragraph Organization: Signal Words Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Signal words indicate a type of organizational pattern and further the meaning of the content by way of that organization. 15 General/Specific order: for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, in other words, like, namely, such as, and that is Generalization/Principal: Additionally, always, because of, clearly, conclusively, first, for instance, for example, furthermore, generally, however, if...then, in fact, it could be argued that, moreover, most convincing, never, not only...but also, often, second, therefore, third, truly, and typically Paragraph Organization: Signal Words Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Signal words indicate a type of organizational pattern and further the meaning of the content by way of that organization. 16 Listing: additionally, also, and, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, in fact, moreover, or, plus, and too Order of Importance: central, chief, ending with, finishing with, key, lastly, least, main, major, finally, primary, principal, and significant Problem and Solution: answer, challenge, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, indicate, improve, issue, need, plan, problem, propose, resolve, respond, solve, and suggest Paragraph Organization: Signal Words Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Signal words indicate a type of organizational pattern and further the meaning of the content by way of that organization. 17 Process/Cause: accordingly, as a result of, because, begins with, consequently, effects of, finally, first, for this reason, how to, how, if...then, 12 General/Specific order: for presenting a general idea followed by specific examples Generalization/Principal: for making a general statement or applying a broad principal along with supporting details Listing: for presenting ideas in any order as a sequence of ideas Order of Importance: for building up to or leading away from the most important point. Problem and Solution: for presenting an issue and ways to address it Process/Cause: for explaining what or how something happens and then why Spatial Order: for ordering details directionally Along with having topic sentences and Supporting Details, paragraphs are also organized to achieve a certain purpose. Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Taking the Paragraph and Topic Sentence into Consideration When you read directions, your they? And how are they organized? Remember to look for the signal words! Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Classification, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! 43 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Classification, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! 44 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Classification, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! 45 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Classification, Compare and Contrast, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, 46 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Compare and Contrast, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea level. We first crossed a footbridge over a rapidly moving, ice-cold river and then followed a wooded trail up to a waterfall. Frostbit leaves crunched beneath our winter boots on the path through the snow frosted trees. We also saw deer and rabbits as we trekked up the path. I assure you that nothing feels better than inhaling crisp, fresh mountain air, but the neatest part of hiking in winter, besides the beauty of the mountain, is exhaling and seeing your breath turn to frost when it hits the cold air! 47 Paragraph Organization On Your Own Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation How is the following paragraph organized and how do you know? Chronological, Process, Spatial, Compare and Contrast, Description, Cause and Effect Hiking can be especially exhilarating during snowy, winter months. When my friend and I visited North Carolina last January, we hiked in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the highest peak, Mount Mitchell, which is 6,684 feet above sea air! or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences of the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there. 39 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are many reasons why I enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry. This often results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry. This often results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences of the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there. 40 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are many reasons why I enjoy walking tours when visiting new cities. For starters, walking through a city allows the visitor to see the details of an area without having to hurry. This often results in meeting locals and experiencing their lives and traditions first hand. Furthermore, walking tours are flexible and inexpensive because there are no strict schedules or transportation expenses. Travelers taking walking tours are rewarded with firsthand experiences of the places they visit and the opportunity to personally interact with the people who live there. is called the “crossover.” These vehicles supposedly have the best features of the sedan, mini-van, and SUV. They are easy to maneuver, look much like a regular sedan, and sit up to six people. All of these vehicles are family friendly; they offer safety, roomy comfort, and the special needs of families. 33 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are three types of family vehicles made in the United States. The first type is the minivan. All American car manufactures make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and amenities of the minivan compare to none. The second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four wheel drive to navigate tough terrains, 34 Classification Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation There are three types of family vehicles made in the United States. The first type is the minivan. All American car manufactures make a version of the minivan. Some say that the comfort and amenities of the minivan compare to none. The second type of family vehicle is the SUV. Some SUVs offer four wheel drive to navigate tough terrains, 35 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. social situations. Mario was a shy introverted young man. He had few friends and mostly kept to himself. On the other hand, Gino was outgoing and the life of the party. Unlike Mario, Gino had many friends and felt totally at ease among big crowds. The best way to tell these identical twins apart is to invite both to a party and observe how differently they By 2007, the home office and both branch offices had survived the economic slowdown, so Lawrence and his associates are expanding their business to the Carolinas and plan to open a branch office in Charlotte in 2011. It can be safely said that in the last fifteen years, estate devaluation. 23 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Making a great cup of tea is easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to a boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it seep into the hot water for at least three minutes. Finally, add creamer and sugar to taste. There is nothing tastier than a strong cup of tea early in the morning. 24 Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All Rights Reserved. Photography © 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation Making a great cup of tea is easy if you follow these three steps. First, heat a cup of water to a boiling point. Then put the tea bag in the hot water, and let it seep into the hot water for at least three 25 Process Paragraph Organization Kaplan University Writing Center, All 8 Facts: statistics or evidence from research that can be verified The office sold