Writing / 23Shorter or longer themes include many of the same characteristics, but they follow
somewhat different patterns. Listed in the paragraphs that follow are characteristics
peculiar to themes of different lengths.
A two-paragraph theme includes a brief introduction, thesis sentence, and sup-
porting details for the first main idea in its first paragraph. The second paragraph
includes supporting details for the second main idea and a concluding sentence.
[See Sample for Social Sciences online, Definition, at http://www.wiley.com/go/wnwstudent
writinghandbook, for an example.]
A three-paragraph theme begins with a paragraph containing a brief introduction,
a thesis sentence, and supporting details for the first main idea. The second para-
graph develops the second main idea. The third paragraph develops the third main
idea and adds a concluding statement. [See online examples Sample for English, Clas-
sification; Sample for Science in Process Analysis, both at http://www.wiley.com/go/wnw
studentwritinghandbook; and Sample Literary Analysis of a Poem in Chapter 27,
Literary Analyses, for examples.]
A four-paragraph theme usually contains two main ideas. It follows the same
pattern as the five-paragraph theme but develops only two body paragraphs. The
introductory paragraph concludes with the thesis sentence; each of the two body
paragraphs develops a main idea; and the concluding paragraph summarizes or reit-
erates the main ideas and refers back to the original thesis. [See Sample for Science
in Chapter 7, Classification, and Sample Workplace Writing in Chapter 8, Comparison
and Contrast, for examples.]
A six-paragraph theme also follows the basic pattern of the five-paragraph theme
but develops four body paragraphs. [See Sample for Social Sciences in Chapter 7,
Classification, and Sample Workplace Writing online in Process Analysis at http://www.wiley.
com/go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook.]
A longer paper, one more than six paragraphs, follows the basic pattern of the five-
paragraph theme but develops more complicated main ideas. Even when a paper has
only three main ideas, more paragraphs may be required for support purposes. In
addition, a longer paper may also include paragraphs that serve only as transitions
(that is, the paragraphs summarize the ideas presented to that point and so lead into
the next idea). [For examples and more thorough discussions of longer papers, see Sam-
ple Literary Analysis of a Symbol in Chapter 27, Literary Analyses; the sample paper in
Chapter 34, Research Paper; and the sample lab report in Chapter 40, Technical Report.]
STEP 1: Choosing the Focus
You must decide what you want to say about your topic. For instance, if you write
about your favorite hobby, building model gliders, you must decide what to empha-
size. Do you want to focus on the skill that making gliders requires? How you