A good paragraph is a mini-essay.

It should demonstrate three components:

1. Introduction, i.e., a topic sentence
2. Body, i.e., supporting details
3. Conclusion or a transitional sentence to the paragraph that follows.
A good paragraph is characterized by unity, coherence, and adequate development.
1. Unity:
State the main idea of the paragraph in a clearly constructed topic sentence. Make sure each sentence is related
to the central thought.
2. Coherence:
Arrange ideas in a clear, logical order. Provide appropriate transitions to the subsequent paragraph.
3. Adequate development:
Develop your paragraphs with specific details and examples.
Strategies for adequate development:
1. Elaborate:
Spell out the details by defining, or by clarifying and adding relevant, pertinent information.
2. Illustrate:
Paint a verbal picture that helps make or clarify your point(s). Well illustrated pieces are easier to read and
follow than those on a high level of abstraction.
3. Argue:
Give the reasons, justifications, and rationales for the position or view you have taken in the topic sentence.
Draw inferences for the reader and explain the significance of assertions or claims being made.
4. Narrate:
Relate the historical development of the phenomenon at issue.
5. Process:
Describe how something works.
6. Describe:
Observe without preconceived categories.
7. Classify:
Organize phenomena or ideas into larger categories that share common characteristics.
8. Analyze:
Divide phenomena or ideas into elements.
9. Compare and Contrast:
Show similarities and differences between two or more phenomena or ideas.
10. Relate:
Show correlations and causes (beware of logical fallacies, however!)
A paragraph should be neither too short nor too long. A good paragraph in a Trinity exercise should be 5-6
sentences long. As a general rule, avoid single-sentence paragraphs. If your paragraphs run longer than a page, you are
probably straining the graders thought span. Look for a logical place to make a break or reorganize the material.
Indent each new paragraph five spaces.

The Student Center

Eating in the Student Center is a pleasant experience. First the food is excellent. It is well prepared, it tastes
delicious, and there are many different kinds of food like hamburgers, tacos, pizza, and chicken. Moreover, each
person serves his or herself, selecting just what he or she wants. Second, the environment in the Student Center is
positive. Many happy young people are talking and laughing. However, the atmosphere is still calm; its possible to
study and do homework. Finally, there are many friendly people in the Student Center. Even the strangers say, Hi!
and offer to share their tables. When that happens, practice in speaking English and friendship often follow. For these
reasons, it is nice to go to the student center cafeteria once in a while to enjoy the eating, studying, and talking with
new people.
Topic Sentence: Eating in the Student Center is a plesant experience.
A. Food is excellent
1. well-prepared and delicious
2. many different foods (hamburger, tacos, pizzza, and chicken)
3. self selection
B. Environment is positive
1. happy young people talking
2. calm atmosphere
C. People are friendly
1. strangers say "Hi" and share tables
2. conversation (practice in English)
Concluding Sentence: It is nice to go to the Student Center cafetaria once in a while to enjoy eating, studying
and talking with new people.