Academic Text Structure & Paragraph Basics
Think of paragraphs as mini-essays that tackle one main idea at a time. Each paragraph needs three key parts to work properly.
The topic sentence kicks things off by presenting your main point upfront. Your supporting sentences then back up that main idea with evidence, examples, or explanations. Finally, your concluding or transitional sentence wraps up the paragraph and smoothly connects to what's coming next.
Most academic texts follow the classic introduction-body-conclusion pattern. Your intro and conclusion should be shorter than your body paragraphs. For short essays, you might only need 1-2 body paragraphs, while longer papers can stretch across several pages.
Your introduction is your first impression - usually 2-3 paragraphs that grab attention, give background info, and present a specific, debatable point. You can hook readers with fascinating facts, compelling stories, vivid descriptions, or powerful quotes that connect to your topic.
Pro Tip: Your introduction hook should always relate directly to your essay topic - don't just throw in a random quote because it sounds cool!