September 2025 Writing Tips from the RWC: What is a paragraph? by adan Herrera

What is a paragraph? The answer may seem obvious, but a common challenge that first-year college students face is writing a good paragraph. Here, we provide a refresher and tools to help illustrate what a paragraph might look like.

Paragraphs are the essential building blocks of writing, giving structure and rhythm that make texts easier to read and understand. A paragraph groups sentences around one central idea, and different types serve different purposes:

Expository: explains with facts and data.

Descriptive: paints a vivid picture through details.

Persuasive: argues a point using reasoning and evidence.

Narrative: tells a story in clear, connected segments.

Effective academic paragraphs usually follow a four-part structure:

Topic sentence – introduces the main idea.

Development – elaborates with details.

Support – provides evidence or examples.

Summary – wraps up the point.

Overall, paragraphs should remain unified around a single idea while fitting into the larger flow of the text.

Challenge:

Try writing a short paragraph about your favorite snack. If you'd like, you can share your work on our Reading and Writing Center Instagram and help spread the joy of reading and writing to our community. 

And remember, if you need any help with your college paperwork, don’t hesitate to contact us by scheduling a session with our tutors, and we'll be happy to assist you.