22 / Basics of Good Writing
WRITING A MULTI-PARAGRAPH PAPER
Multi-paragraph papers, often called themes or papers, use any method of develop-
ment suitable to the topic. [See development, methods of, in the Glossary.] They usu-
ally contain an introductory paragraph, a concluding paragraph, and separate body
paragraphs for each main idea of the thesis. Because they often follow a rather for-
mal structure, themes typify expository writing.
A theme is frequently five paragraphs; yet themes may contain as few as two and as
many as several dozen paragraphs. Because the five-paragraph theme readily illus-
trates the concept, this section will treat it as the model. [Sample papers throughout
Parts II and III, and online, illustrate themes of varying lengths.]
CHARACTERISTICS
A five-paragraph theme represents a common denominator among the various kinds
of expository writing. In general, a theme
• contains an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding
paragraph,
• begins with an introductory paragraph that includes any one of a number of
devices to attract reader attention [see attention-getter in the Glossary],
• concludes the introductory paragraph with a thesis sentence that states or
implies the topics to be developed in each of the body paragraphs,
• shows in the thesis sentence the order in which the body paragraphs will be
developed,
• includes a separate body paragraph for each main idea,
• includes in each body paragraph a topic sentence derived directly from the
thesis sentence,
• relies on careful use of transitional words and phrases to connect ideas within
and between paragraphs,
• employs, on occasion, transitional sentences to connect ideas between
paragraphs,
• follows a logical plan, using any one of the orders of development [see order, in
paragraph development in the Glossary],
• concludes with a paragraph that summarizes, emphasizes, or otherwise brings
the paper to a satisfying end,
• includes the characteristics peculiar to the chosen method of development [see
Part II for Analogy, Cause and Effect, Classification, Comparison and Contrast,
Definition, Description, Narration, Opinion, Persuasion, and Process Analysis].