Paragraph Development
Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to develop strong, well-organized paragraphs. A well-developed paragraph includes a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence that work together to explain one main idea.
The Parts of a Paragraph
Every good paragraph has three main parts:
- Topic Sentence - States the main idea of the paragraph
- Supporting Details - Facts, examples, and explanations that prove or explain the main idea
- Concluding Sentence - Wraps up the paragraph and connects back to the main idea
What Makes Good Supporting Details?
Supporting details should:
- Be specific - Use exact facts, numbers, or examples
- Be relevant - Connect directly to your topic sentence
- Be varied - Include different types of evidence (facts, examples, reasons)
- Be explained - Tell the reader WHY the detail matters
The TREE Method
Use TREE to remember how to build a paragraph:
- T - Topic sentence (state your main idea)
- R - Reasons (give 2-3 reasons or examples)
- E - Explain (explain each reason)
- E - End (write a concluding sentence)
Examples
Let's see paragraph development in action.
Example 1: Weak Paragraph
Dogs are good pets. They are fun. Dogs can do tricks. I like dogs.
Problem: This paragraph lacks specific details and explanation. It just lists ideas without developing them.
Example 2: Strong Paragraph
Dogs make excellent family pets for many reasons. First, dogs are loyal companions who greet their owners with excitement every day, which can make people feel loved and happy. Second, dogs encourage families to exercise by needing daily walks and playtime in the park. Finally, owning a dog teaches children responsibility because they must remember to feed, water, and care for their pet. For these reasons, dogs are wonderful additions to any family.
Why it works: This paragraph has a clear topic sentence, three specific reasons with explanations, and a strong concluding sentence.
Example 3: Using the TREE Method
Topic: Why reading is important
- T (Topic Sentence): Reading every day helps students succeed in school.
- R (Reason 1): Reading builds vocabulary.
- E (Explain): When students read, they learn new words and their meanings, which helps them understand harder texts.
- R (Reason 2): Reading improves writing skills.
- E (Explain): By seeing how authors construct sentences, students learn to write better themselves.
- E (End): Students who read regularly are setting themselves up for academic success.
Practice
Try these activities to strengthen your paragraph-writing skills.
Activity 1: Find the Parts
Read a paragraph and identify the topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence.
Activity 2: Add Details
Given a topic sentence, write 2-3 supporting details with explanations.
Activity 3: Write a Complete Paragraph
Using the TREE method, write a paragraph about your favorite hobby or activity.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these 10 questions to test what you have learned about paragraph development.
Question 1: What are the three main parts of a well-developed paragraph?
Show Answer
Answer: Topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence.
Question 2: What does the topic sentence do?
Show Answer
Answer: The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about.
Question 3: What does the "T" in TREE stand for?
Show Answer
Answer: Topic sentence. This is where you state your main idea.
Question 4: Why is "Dogs are fun" a weak supporting detail?
Show Answer
Answer: It is too vague and general. A strong supporting detail would be specific and explain HOW or WHY dogs are fun with examples.
Question 5: What makes supporting details "relevant"?
Show Answer
Answer: Relevant supporting details connect directly to the topic sentence. They help prove or explain the main idea, not introduce new topics.
Question 6: How many supporting details should a paragraph typically have?
Show Answer
Answer: A paragraph should typically have 2-3 supporting details, each with an explanation. This provides enough evidence without making the paragraph too long.
Question 7: What does the concluding sentence do?
Show Answer
Answer: The concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph and connects back to the main idea. It should not introduce new information.
Question 8: What does it mean to "explain" your supporting details?
Show Answer
Answer: Explaining means telling the reader WHY your detail matters or HOW it connects to your main idea. It goes beyond just stating a fact.
Question 9: In the TREE method, what do the two E's stand for?
Show Answer
Answer: The first E stands for "Explain" (explain each reason) and the second E stands for "End" (write a concluding sentence).
Question 10: Why is it important to use varied types of supporting details?
Show Answer
Answer: Using varied details (facts, examples, reasons) makes your writing more interesting and convincing. Different types of evidence appeal to readers in different ways.
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review