Paragraph Structure

Paragraphs follow a specific structure. An Essay Outline for each body paragraph should now look like this:

  • Point 1 (plus first Support)
    • Support 1
      • Details (citation)
      • Analysis
    • Support 2
      • Details (citation)
      • Analysis

Notice that there is a three-sentence pattern for each Support that is used, making a total of 6 sentences for each paragraph. Most paragraphs required more information, so there will more likely be 7 or 8 sentences in each paragraph by the time you are finished. Look at the example broken down with the Outline.

Type Example
  • Point 1
    • Support 1
 The sun is the main source of heat and energy for the earth, so it is not surprising that solar activity is one natural cause of global warming.
      • Details
 This relationship can be seen historically during what was called the "Little Ice Age", which took place from around 1650 to 1850, and saw a drop in solar activity, resulting in a severe drop in temperatures across Europe (NASA, n.d.).
      • Analysis
 This clearly demonstrates that temperatures on Earth will rise and fall in direct correlation with the amount of energy that the sun puts out.
    • Support 2
 Despite this obvious relationship, in recent years , solar activity has actually decreased even though global temperatures have continued to increase.
      • Details
 According to Page (2010), this can be explained by the fact that although overall solar activity has decreased, the shorter wavelengths of light emitted have actually increased, and it is these wavelengths that are responsible for the direct warming of the earth's surface.
      • Analysis
 Regardless of the lower emissions, it still holds true that the amount of energy from the sun directly affects the temperature on Earth and the sun is, therefore, a major natural factor in the causes of global warming.

Exercise

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