How to Write a Paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences that all talk about the same idea. Every paragraph starts with a topic sentence that tells the reader what it is about. The other sentences give details and examples. Learning to write good paragraphs is an important skill for school and life.

Parts of a Paragraph

Every paragraph has three main parts. The topic sentence comes first and tells the main idea. The body sentences come next and give details, facts, or examples. The closing sentence comes last and wraps up the idea. Together, these parts make a strong paragraph.

Tips for Writing

Start by thinking about what you want to say. Write a clear topic sentence first. Then add sentences that support your main idea. Make sure every sentence connects to the topic. When you are done, read it out loud to see if it sounds right.

Fun Facts

• The word paragraph comes from a Greek word meaning to write beside.
• In ancient times, writers used a special mark to show where a new paragraph began.
• Some paragraphs in books are only one sentence long!

Did You Know?

Indenting the first line of a paragraph is a tradition that started hundreds of years ago to help readers see where new ideas begin.