Good paragraphs have a controlling idea that dictates the topic sentence and some kind of supporting evidence. The support in a paragraph can be a description, a narrative (or story), or writing that conforms closely to one of the traditional rhetorical formats (example, comparison/contrast, definition, argumentative, cause/effect, classification, or process analysis).

English paragraphs are linear. The main idea that the writer wishes to convey is stated in the topic sentence. Each subsequent idea is clearly related to the one before it.

Development methods for English paragraphs are

• order of importance
• chronological order
• spatial order
• general to specific
• specific to general

Good paragraphs help make good papers. Once a writer is on track with a thesis and supports, time can very profitably be spent talking about how to write good paragraphs. It is a waste of time to work on individual words or sentences until the organization and the content of the paragraphs are what they need to be. Yet, working on word choice, punctuation, or arrangement of clauses is a seductive temptation because it is so easy to change the little things. Concentrate on the big picture first.