Learn the basic paragraph elements typical in university assessments that will give structure and clarity to your writing.
Paragraphs often follow a standard shape and structure that can be used in a variety of academic texts.
Lyn Doolan, Senior Language and Learning Adviser
What is paragraph structure?
While paragraph structures may vary depending on the discipline, genre, assessment task requirements, and your writing style, there are some basic paragraph elements typical in much academic writing.
Simplicity and clarity in structure is often key to good writing. By incorporating the following advice on paragraph structure, you can make it easier for your reader to navigate your writing.
You may have already heard of paragraph structures such as:
TEAL = Topic, Evidence, Analysis, Link or TEEL = Topic, Expand/Elaborate, Evidence/Examples, Link.
Let’s look at some examples of paragraphs that include these elements.
Do you recognise any of these paragraph structures from your unit readings? By becoming more aware of these structures and observing how they work, you can improve your own writing. Let’s look in more detail at some of these elements.
The purpose of the topic sentence is to introduce the main idea or focus of the paragraph. It should be clearly stated in a single sentence. You might begin planning your assessment by first writing your proposed topic sentences.
All other sentences in the paragraph should expand on the topic sentence or support any claims made or questions raised in the topic sentence.
The topic sentence represents a main point in your assessment, so you need to check if it directly addresses your assessment task.
Over-consumption of red meat is having a number of negative impacts on the health of Australians.
Toxic to humans at very low concentrations, lead is a significant urban pollutant that impacts on urban agriculture operations.
It is important to note that most paragraphs usually only have one main idea supported by evidence.
Many of your paragraphs will require supporting evidence appropriate to your task. It is essential that you provide references for your sources of evidence.
You might include more than one source where they provide the same supporting evidence.
The NSW Cancer Council (2019) recommend using lean meat and cooking meat at lower temperatures.
It has been found that lead levels increase with the age of the house due to the historical use of lead paint, and therefore caution should be taken in selecting a location for edible gardens (Laidlaw et al., 2018; Williams, 2024).
Before you decide to include a source in your paper, you need to evaluate why you might be including it.
Why am I using this source?
How does it relate to the assessment task?
How does it relate to the specific topic of this paragraph?
How will I compare and contrast statements, opinions, findings that agree/disagree?
What conclusions can I make based on this and related sources?
Can I make any further informed conclusions based on the evidence?
Do I need to further interrogate this source of information (question the validity of the experiment, highlight the limitations of the findings or find gaps/potential areas for improvement)?
So, while red meat can contribute to a healthy diet, the research suggests that it should be eaten in moderation.
Although it is recommended that vegetable gardens be located 80 metres from main roads (SGA, 2021) this may not always be an option for practitioners who already face the prospect of limited viable locations and rising land prices.
The final sentence in the paragraph can be used to conclude the paragraph and link back to the topic sentence, or the next paragraph.
Topic sentences can be linked to subsequent topic sentences to create cohesive flow throughout the paper.
It is important that each paragraph, and the links between each paragraph, create a coherent whole for your reader. You can include linking words and transitional phrases to act as signposts for your reader and to connect ideas and sources.
Current research therefore suggests that for many Australians a reduction in their weekly red meat consumption could have health benefits.
Soil remediation by removing lead reducing bioavailability therefore appears worthy of investigation.
The following guide has further examples of paragraphs that include topic sentences, cited evidence and examples, analysis and linking phrases.
Remember, writing styles differ according to discipline, as well as individual writer style, so it is not necessary that every paragraph must follow this precise structure. However, when constructing your paragraphs it is important to check if you have a clear topic sentence supported by clear examples and evidence, and information that is logically and clearly linked for your reader.
Pay attention to your recommended unit readings. How do they structure their writing? How do they refer to sources of information? How do they help the reader to navigate their thinking on a topic? Are there certain writing practices common to your discipline?
Make a clear plan
When you are planning your next assessment, begin by mapping out your topic sentences and adding some brief notes on the supporting evidence you plan to cite. You might also make some brief comments/analysis at this planning stage. Having a clear plan from the beginning can help you to clarify your thoughts and stay on track as you develop your draft.
In summary
Well-structured paragraphs in academic writing have clear topic sentences and are supported by cited evidence and examples from reliable sources. Analysis is also required in most assessments.
Paragraphs that include signposts and linking phrases are easier to read.
Often the concluding sentence of a paragraph will link back to the topic sentence.
Linking your topic sentences is another way of creating cohesive flow in your paper.
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