Build well-organized paragraphs with topic sentences, support, and conclusions.
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Every well-constructed paragraph is built around a single controlling idea. The topic sentence is the sentence that states that idea clearly and directly. It tells the reader what the paragraph is about and sets expectations for everything that follows. Understanding how to write effective topic sentences is the foundation of strong paragraph structure.
A topic sentence is a single sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph. It makes a claim, introduces a point, or presents an observation that the rest of the paragraph will develop, support, or explain.
Think of the topic sentence as a promise to the reader: "This paragraph will be about X." Every other sentence in the paragraph should help fulfill that promise.
Example:
Public libraries serve a far broader purpose than simply lending books. They offer free internet access to people who cannot afford home connections. They host literacy programs for children and adults. They provide meeting spaces for community organizations. They serve as quiet refuges for students, job seekers, and anyone who needs a safe, warm place to work.
The first sentence is the topic sentence. It announces the main idea -- that libraries do more than lend books. Every sentence that follows gives a specific example of that broader purpose.
A strong topic sentence has two parts:
| Topic Sentence | Topic | Controlling Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Regular exercise improves mental health in several measurable ways. | Regular exercise | improves mental health in several measurable ways |
| The company's hiring process has three major flaws. | The company's hiring process | has three major flaws |
| Online learning offers flexibility that traditional classrooms cannot match. | Online learning | offers flexibility that traditional classrooms cannot match |
| Shakespeare's use of imagery in Hamlet reveals the prince's inner turmoil. | Shakespeare's use of imagery in Hamlet | reveals the prince's inner turmoil |
The topic names the subject. The controlling idea tells the reader the specific angle, argument, or direction the paragraph will take. Without a controlling idea, a topic sentence is too vague to guide the paragraph.
| Weak (too vague) | Strong (clear controlling idea) |
|---|---|
| Social media is interesting. | Social media has fundamentally changed how political campaigns reach young voters. |
| There are many types of pollution. | Air pollution in urban areas poses three distinct health risks to children. |
| Education is important. | Early childhood education reduces the achievement gap between low-income and high-income students. |
| Climate change is a problem. | Rising sea levels threaten the infrastructure of coastal cities worldwide. |
The weak versions name a topic but say nothing specific about it. The strong versions narrow the topic and tell the reader exactly what to expect.
The most common and most effective placement for a topic sentence is at the beginning of the paragraph. This position gives readers immediate clarity about the paragraph's purpose.
Placing the topic sentence first is the standard approach in academic, professional, and expository writing. Readers know immediately what the paragraph will discuss, and they can follow the supporting details more easily.
Adequate sleep is essential for academic performance. Students who sleep fewer than seven hours per night score an average of 10% lower on exams than their well-rested peers. Sleep deprivation impairs memory consolidation, which is the process by which short-term memories are converted into long-term knowledge. Furthermore, tired students have difficulty maintaining focus during lectures, meaning they absorb less material in the first place.
Sometimes a paragraph begins with a transitional sentence or a brief contextual statement before presenting the main idea. The topic sentence appears as the second sentence.
Many students believe that pulling an all-night study session before an exam is effective. However, research consistently shows that cramming is one of the least productive study strategies. Studies from cognitive psychology demonstrate that spaced repetition -- reviewing material over several days -- produces significantly better retention than a single marathon session.
The first sentence sets up a common belief. The second sentence (the topic sentence) introduces the paragraph's actual point: that cramming does not work.
Occasionally, a writer builds up evidence or examples and then states the main idea at the end, as a conclusion drawn from the details. This approach creates suspense or allows the reader to see the evidence before the claim.
In 2019, the city opened three new community centers in underserved neighborhoods. The following year, it launched a free summer meals program for children. By 2021, after-school tutoring was available at every public library branch. Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate the city's sustained commitment to reducing inequality through targeted public investment.
The topic sentence appears last, summarizing the point that all the preceding details support.
Recommendation: In academic and professional writing, place your topic sentence first unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise. Readers expect it there, and it makes your writing easier to follow.
Students sometimes confuse topic sentences with thesis statements. Here is the difference:
| Thesis Statement | Topic Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Controls the entire essay | Controls one paragraph |
| Location | Usually in the introduction | Usually the first sentence of a body paragraph |
| Function | States the essay's central argument | States the paragraph's main idea |
| Relationship | The "parent" | The "child" -- supports the thesis |
Every body paragraph's topic sentence should connect back to the thesis statement. Together, the topic sentences of all body paragraphs should cover and support the thesis.
Thesis: Remote work benefits both employers and employees.
Topic sentence, paragraph 1: Employers who allow remote work see significant reductions in overhead costs.
Topic sentence, paragraph 2: Employees who work remotely report higher levels of job satisfaction.
Topic sentence, paragraph 3: Remote work arrangements also lead to measurable increases in productivity.
Each topic sentence takes one aspect of the thesis and develops it in its own paragraph.
Before writing, ask yourself: "What is the single most important point this paragraph needs to make?" Write it down in plain language, even if it is not elegant yet.
This paragraph is about how deforestation causes flooding.
Narrow the idea. What specifically about deforestation and flooding? Where? How?
Deforestation in tropical regions increases the frequency and severity of downstream flooding.
A good topic sentence says something that requires explanation or evidence. If it is an obvious fact that needs no support, it is too simple.
Trees exist in forests.(Obvious -- needs no support.)Deforestation in tropical regions increases the frequency and severity of downstream flooding by removing the root systems that absorb rainfall. (Specific, informative, needs evidence to support.)
Make sure the topic sentence is neither too broad (would need an entire essay) nor too narrow (could be answered in one sentence).
Environmental destruction is bad.(Too broad -- this is an essay topic, not a paragraph topic.)
The Amazon lost 3,000 square miles of forest in 2020.(Too narrow -- this is a single fact, not a paragraph-level idea.)Deforestation in the Amazon basin has accelerated dramatically over the past decade, driven primarily by agricultural expansion. (Just right -- specific enough to guide a paragraph, broad enough to require several sentences of development.)
Do not simply announce what the paragraph will discuss. State the point directly.
| Announcement (weak) | Direct statement (strong) |
|---|---|
| This paragraph will discuss the effects of pollution. | Air pollution causes an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide each year. |
| I am going to talk about why sleep is important. | Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function as severely as alcohol intoxication. |
| The next point is about renewable energy. | Solar energy has become the cheapest source of electricity in most parts of the world. |
A fact alone is not a topic sentence because it does not require development. Transform facts into claims that need evidence or explanation.
| Bare fact (weak) | Developed claim (strong) |
|---|---|
| The Earth orbits the Sun. | The Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun creates the seasonal variations that drive agricultural cycles. |
| Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. | The boiling point of water, while seemingly fixed, actually varies with altitude and atmospheric pressure in ways that affect cooking and industrial processes. |
A topic sentence that tries to cover too much will produce a paragraph that is unfocused and superficial.
| Too broad | Focused |
|---|---|
| Technology has changed the world. | Smartphone-based banking has given millions of unbanked people in developing nations access to financial services for the first time. |
| History is full of important events. | The invention of the printing press in the 15th century democratized access to knowledge and accelerated the pace of scientific discovery. |
| Concept | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Topic sentence | States the main idea of one paragraph |
| Two components | Topic + controlling idea |
| Best placement | First sentence of the paragraph |
| Versus thesis | Thesis controls the essay; topic sentence controls one paragraph |
| Writing process | Identify the idea, add specificity, make it arguable, check scope |
| Avoid | Announcements, bare facts, overly broad claims |
约9分钟阅读
A topic sentence makes a promise. Supporting details fulfill that promise. Without sufficient, well-organized support, even the strongest topic sentence will leave readers unconvinced or confused. This section explains the types of supporting details available to you, how to order them effectively, and how to ensure your paragraphs are fully developed.
Supporting details are the sentences that come after the topic sentence. They explain, prove, illustrate, or expand on the main idea. Every sentence in a well-written paragraph should function as a supporting detail that connects directly to the topic sentence.
Supporting details answer the reader's implicit questions: "How do you know?" "Can you prove it?" "What does that look like in practice?" "Why should I believe this?"
Effective writers draw from a variety of support types. Using different kinds of evidence within a single paragraph makes your writing more convincing and engaging.
Objective, verifiable information that demonstrates your point.
Topic sentence: Air pollution is a leading cause of premature death worldwide.
Supporting detail: According to the World Health Organization, outdoor air pollution contributes to approximately 4.2 million deaths each year, with the highest concentrations of harmful particulate matter found in South and East Asia.
Facts and statistics are particularly persuasive in argumentative and academic writing because they are objective and measurable.
Specific instances that illustrate a general claim. Examples make abstract ideas concrete and relatable.
Topic sentence: Many everyday technologies were originally developed for space exploration.
Supporting detail: Memory foam, now found in mattresses and pillows around the world, was originally created by NASA in the 1960s to improve crash protection for airline passengers. Similarly, the scratch-resistant lenses used in modern eyeglasses were developed using technology from astronaut helmet visors.
Sentences that explain how or why something works, connecting evidence to the topic sentence. Analysis is what transforms a list of facts into a coherent argument.
Topic sentence: Sleep deprivation impairs academic performance.
Supporting detail: When students sleep fewer than seven hours, their brains cannot complete the full cycle of memory consolidation that occurs during deep sleep. As a result, information studied the previous day is not effectively transferred from short-term to long-term memory, making it difficult to recall during exams.
Notice how this does not just state a fact but explains the mechanism -- the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep and memory.
Brief stories or real-world scenarios that illustrate a point. Anecdotes add a human element to your writing.
Topic sentence: Small acts of kindness can have an outsized impact on someone's day.
Supporting detail: Last winter, a commuter in Chicago noticed that the woman ahead of her at the coffee shop was struggling to find her wallet. She quietly paid for the woman's order. The woman, who later posted about the experience on social media, explained that she had been having the worst week of her life and that the stranger's gesture made her feel that the world still had goodness in it.
Citations from authorities in the field that lend credibility to your argument.
Topic sentence: Early childhood education has lasting effects on academic achievement.
Supporting detail: Dr. James Heckman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, has argued that "investing in disadvantaged young children is a rare public policy initiative that promotes fairness and social justice and at the same time promotes productivity in the economy and in society at large."
Showing how something is similar to or different from something else helps readers understand unfamiliar concepts.
Topic sentence: The human brain processes visual information far more efficiently than text.
Supporting detail: Research from MIT has shown that the brain can identify images seen for as little as 13 milliseconds, whereas reading a single sentence typically takes one to three seconds. This means visual information is processed roughly 60,000 times faster than written text.
Clarifying terms or describing features when the reader may not be familiar with the subject.
Topic sentence: Blockchain technology has the potential to transform financial transactions.
Supporting detail: A blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across many computers in such a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively. Unlike traditional banking systems, which rely on a central authority to verify transactions, blockchain distributes that verification across a network of participants.
The order in which you present your supporting details affects how clearly and persuasively your paragraph reads. Choose an arrangement that matches your purpose.
Present details from most important to least important (or the reverse). This is the most common approach in argumentative writing.
Most to least important works well when you want to lead with your strongest evidence and ensure the reader encounters it first.
Least to most important (climactic order) builds momentum, saving the strongest point for last so the paragraph ends powerfully.
Example (least to most important):
Topic sentence: There are several compelling reasons to switch to renewable energy.
Detail 1 (minor): Renewable energy sources like wind and solar require less maintenance than fossil fuel plants once installed.
Detail 2 (moderate): Countries that invest in renewables reduce their dependence on imported oil and gas, strengthening their energy security.
Detail 3 (strongest): Most importantly, transitioning to renewable energy is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the worst effects of climate change.
Present details in the order they occurred in time. This is natural for narrative paragraphs, process descriptions, and historical accounts.
Topic sentence: The company's recovery from near-bankruptcy was a gradual process.
Detail 1: In 2018, the company posted record losses and laid off 30% of its workforce.
Detail 2: By 2019, new leadership had restructured operations and eliminated unprofitable product lines.
Detail 3: In 2020, the company broke even for the first time in three years.
Detail 4: By 2022, it had returned to profitability and begun expanding into new markets.
Describe details based on their physical location -- left to right, top to bottom, near to far. This works for descriptive writing.
Arrange details so that each one builds on the previous one. This is common in analytical and explanatory writing, where the reader needs to understand point A before point B makes sense.
Topic sentence: Photosynthesis is a multi-step process that converts sunlight into chemical energy.
Detail 1: First, chlorophyll in the plant's leaves absorbs sunlight.
Detail 2: This light energy splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
Detail 3: The hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide from the air to form glucose.
Detail 4: The plant uses this glucose as fuel for growth and cellular processes.
Each step depends on the previous one, so the logical order mirrors the natural sequence of the process.
One of the most common weaknesses in student writing is underdevelopment -- paragraphs that make a claim but do not provide enough support to make it convincing. But how do you know when a paragraph is adequately developed?
After writing each supporting detail, ask yourself: "So what? Why does this matter? Does the reader need more explanation?" If the answer is yes, add analysis or explanation.
Underdeveloped:
Social media affects teenagers' mental health. A study found that teens who use social media more than three hours a day are more likely to experience depression.
This paragraph has a topic sentence and one piece of evidence, but it stops too soon. The reader is left wondering: Why does heavy social media use lead to depression? What is the mechanism? How strong is the evidence?
Developed:
Social media affects teenagers' mental health in measurable and concerning ways. A 2019 study published in International Journal of Behavioral Health found that adolescents who use social media for more than three hours a day are twice as likely to report symptoms of depression compared to those who use it for less than one hour. Researchers believe the connection stems from several factors: constant social comparison, exposure to cyberbullying, and the displacement of sleep and physical activity. The curated nature of social media feeds creates an illusion that everyone else's life is better, which erodes self-esteem over time. These findings have prompted several countries to consider age restrictions on social media platforms.
The developed version provides the evidence, explains why it matters, describes the mechanism, and notes the broader implications.
There is no absolute rule for paragraph length, but these guidelines help:
| Context | Typical Paragraph Length |
|---|---|
| Academic essays | 5-10 sentences (100-200 words) |
| Professional reports | 3-8 sentences (75-150 words) |
| Journalism and blog posts | 2-5 sentences (40-100 words) |
| Emails and memos | 2-4 sentences (30-80 words) |
In academic writing, a paragraph with only one or two sentences is almost always underdeveloped. If you find yourself writing very short body paragraphs, consider whether you need to add more evidence, explanation, or analysis.
A widely taught framework for paragraph development is PEEL:
| Letter | Element | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| P | Point | State the main idea (topic sentence) |
| E | Evidence | Provide facts, examples, or data |
| E | Explanation | Analyze the evidence -- explain why it matters and how it supports the point |
| L | Link | Connect back to the thesis or transition to the next paragraph |
P: Renewable energy is now more cost-effective than fossil fuels in most markets.
E: According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the cost of solar electricity fell by 89% between 2010 and 2022, making it cheaper than coal-fired power in most countries.
E: This dramatic cost reduction is driven by advances in photovoltaic technology, economies of scale in manufacturing, and competitive auction processes that have pushed prices to record lows. As solar becomes cheaper, the economic argument for continued fossil fuel investment weakens significantly.
L: This cost advantage, combined with the environmental benefits discussed in the previous paragraph, makes the case for renewable energy transition increasingly difficult to dispute.
Being aware of common development failures helps you avoid them.
Restating the topic sentence in different words without adding new information.
Exercise is beneficial. Working out is good for you. Physical activity has many advantages. Being active helps your health.
This paragraph says the same thing four times. It never explains how exercise is beneficial or provides any evidence.
Providing a string of facts or examples without explaining their significance.
The Industrial Revolution changed society. Steam engines were invented. Factories were built. People moved to cities. Child labor was common.
Each detail is relevant, but none is developed. The paragraph reads like a bulleted list converted into sentences.
Making broad claims without specific evidence.
Everyone knows that reading is important. People who read do better in life. Reading makes you smarter. All successful people read a lot.
Every sentence is a sweeping generalization. There are no specific facts, studies, examples, or explanations.
Including information that does not support the topic sentence.
Public transportation reduces traffic congestion. Buses can carry 40 passengers in the space of two cars. The first bus route in Paris was established in 1662. Modern buses often have WiFi and comfortable seating. Cities with robust public transit systems report 15-30% less congestion during peak hours.
The historical fact about Paris and the detail about WiFi are interesting but do not support the claim about reducing congestion. They should be removed or replaced with relevant support.
| Concept | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Supporting details | Sentences that explain, prove, or illustrate the topic sentence |
| Types of support | Facts, examples, explanations, anecdotes, expert opinions, comparisons, definitions |
| Ordering strategies | Importance, chronological, spatial, logical |
| Development test | Ask "So what?" after each supporting detail |
| PEEL framework | Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link |
| Common failures | Circular reasoning, listing without analysis, overgeneralization, irrelevant details |
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A paragraph can have a clear topic sentence and strong supporting details but still fail to communicate effectively if it lacks unity and coherence. Unity ensures that every sentence in the paragraph serves the same main idea. Coherence ensures that the sentences connect to each other smoothly and logically. Together, these two qualities make paragraphs easy to follow and persuasive.
Unity means that every sentence in the paragraph relates directly to the topic sentence. A unified paragraph discusses one main idea and nothing else. The moment you introduce a sentence that belongs to a different topic, the paragraph loses unity, and the reader becomes confused about what the paragraph is really about.
After writing a paragraph, read each sentence and ask: "Does this sentence directly support, explain, or develop the topic sentence?" If the answer is no, the sentence does not belong in this paragraph. Either remove it or move it to a paragraph where it fits.
Unified:
Regular physical exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aerobic activities such as running, swimming, and cycling strengthen the heart muscle, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently. Exercise also lowers LDL cholesterol, which is the type that builds up in artery walls and causes blockages. Additionally, people who exercise regularly tend to have lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on their arteries. Over time, these cardiovascular benefits significantly decrease the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
Every sentence supports the claim that exercise reduces cardiovascular disease risk.
Not unified:
Regular physical exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aerobic activities such as running, swimming, and cycling strengthen the heart muscle. Exercise also improves mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. People who exercise regularly tend to have lower blood pressure. Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years, with studios opening in almost every major city. Over time, these cardiovascular benefits significantly decrease the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
The sentence about mental health is related to exercise but not to cardiovascular disease specifically -- it belongs in a different paragraph. The sentence about yoga's popularity is completely off-topic.
Use this checklist when revising each paragraph:
When you find a sentence that does not belong:
Coherence means that the sentences in a paragraph flow smoothly from one to the next. The reader can follow the logic without effort. A coherent paragraph feels like a single continuous thought, not a collection of disconnected statements.
Coherence is achieved through:
The most fundamental tool for coherence is putting your sentences in a sensible order. If your paragraph uses chronological order, each sentence should follow the previous one in time. If it uses order of importance, each sentence should be clearly more (or less) significant than the last. When ideas are arranged logically, the paragraph feels natural even without explicit transitions.
Transitions are words or short phrases that signal the relationship between one sentence and the next. They act as signposts, telling the reader whether the next sentence will add to, contrast with, explain, or result from the previous one.
| Relationship | Transitional Words/Phrases |
|---|---|
| Addition | also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally, besides, equally important |
| Contrast | however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, conversely, yet, whereas |
| Cause/Effect | therefore, consequently, as a result, thus, hence, because of this, for this reason |
| Example | for example, for instance, specifically, in particular, to illustrate, such as |
| Time/Sequence | first, second, next, then, afterward, subsequently, finally, meanwhile, previously |
| Emphasis | indeed, in fact, certainly, above all, most importantly, especially |
| Summary | in summary, to summarize, in conclusion, overall, in short, to sum up |
| Similarity | similarly, likewise, in the same way, just as, equally |
| Concession | admittedly, granted, of course, it is true that, certainly |
Example of transitions in action:
Urban green spaces provide measurable benefits to city residents. First, parks and gardens reduce the urban heat island effect by providing shade and releasing moisture through evapotranspiration. In addition, green spaces filter air pollutants, improving air quality in surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore, access to nature has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental health. For example, a study conducted in Tokyo found that workers who spent their lunch breaks in a nearby park reported 28% lower stress levels than those who remained indoors. Taken together, these benefits demonstrate that investing in urban green spaces is not a luxury but a public health necessity.
Repeating important words or phrases throughout the paragraph reinforces the main idea and creates a thread that ties sentences together.
Water scarcity is becoming a critical global challenge. More than two billion people currently live in countries experiencing high water stress. Climate change is expected to intensify water shortages in arid and semi-arid regions. Agricultural water use, which accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, is increasingly in competition with urban and industrial demand. Without significant changes in how we manage water resources, the United Nations projects that global water demand will exceed supply by 40% within the next two decades.
The repeated use of "water" keeps the paragraph focused and connected.
Using pronouns (he, she, it, they, this, these, those) to refer back to nouns in the previous sentence creates a natural link between sentences.
The research team published their findings in a leading journal. They found that participants who exercised for 30 minutes daily showed significant improvements in memory. These improvements were most pronounced among participants over the age of 60.
"They" refers back to "the research team," and "these improvements" refers back to the improvements mentioned in the previous sentence. Each pronoun creates a bridge between sentences.
Caution: Make sure pronoun references are clear. Avoid using "this" or "it" when the reader might not know what the pronoun refers to.
The company changed its policy and restructured its departments. This caused problems.(What caused problems -- the policy change, the restructuring, or both?)The company changed its policy and restructured its departments. This restructuring caused problems. (Now it is clear.)
Using the same grammatical pattern for related ideas creates rhythm and makes connections between sentences more visible.
The program teaches students to write clearly. It teaches them to think critically. And it teaches them to communicate confidently in professional settings.
The repeated "to [verb]" structure links all three sentences and emphasizes that they are parallel benefits of the same program.
A concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph by restating the main idea in different words, summarizing the key point, or providing a transition to the next paragraph. Not every paragraph needs a concluding sentence, but they are useful in longer paragraphs and academic writing.
Restatement: Echo the topic sentence using different words.
Topic sentence: Regular exercise reduces cardiovascular risk.
Concluding sentence: Given these benefits, physical activity should be considered a frontline defense against heart disease.
Summary: Briefly recap the main supporting points.
In short, the cost savings, environmental benefits, and improved employee satisfaction make remote work a compelling option for most organizations.
Transition: Connect to the next paragraph's topic.
While the physical health benefits of exercise are well-documented, its effects on mental health are equally significant, as the next section explores.
Implication: State what the evidence suggests or why it matters.
These trends suggest that without intervention, urban air quality will continue to deteriorate, with serious consequences for public health.
| Situation | Include Concluding Sentence? |
|---|---|
| Long academic paragraph (8+ sentences) | Yes -- helps the reader absorb the main point |
| Short paragraph (3-4 sentences) | Usually not necessary |
| Final body paragraph before the conclusion | Yes -- provides a clean endpoint before the essay conclusion |
| Paragraph in the middle of a sequence | Optional -- a transition sentence may be more useful |
Transitions serve different purposes depending on where they appear.
Within a paragraph: Transitions connect individual sentences, showing how each supporting detail relates to the one before it and to the topic sentence.
Between paragraphs: Transitions connect entire ideas, showing how the new paragraph's main idea relates to the previous paragraph's main idea. These are typically found in the first or last sentence of a paragraph.
End of paragraph 1: ...These economic benefits alone make a strong case for renewable energy investment.
Beginning of paragraph 2: Beyond the economic advantages, renewable energy also offers significant environmental benefits.
The phrase "Beyond the economic advantages" acknowledges what came before and signals a shift to a new but related topic.
Here is a paragraph that demonstrates unity, coherence, adequate development, and a concluding sentence.
Access to clean water remains one of the most pressing challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNICEF, approximately 400 million people in the region lack access to basic drinking water services. As a result, women and girls in rural communities often walk several hours each day to collect water from distant sources, time that could otherwise be spent in school or earning income. Furthermore, contaminated water causes widespread waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which kill an estimated 300,000 children under five in the region each year. Despite international aid efforts, progress has been slow: the rate of improvement in water access has barely kept pace with population growth. For example, while the number of people with access to clean water has increased in absolute terms, the percentage of the population with reliable access has remained nearly flat over the past decade. These persistent gaps in water access underscore the need for sustained investment in infrastructure and community-based water management systems.
Why this paragraph works:
| Quality | Question to Ask |
|---|---|
| Topic sentence | Does the paragraph begin with a clear main idea? |
| Unity | Does every sentence relate to the topic sentence? |
| Development | Is the main idea supported with facts, examples, and analysis? |
| Coherence | Do the sentences flow logically from one to the next? |
| Transitions | Are there transitional words or phrases guiding the reader? |
| Key term repetition | Are important words repeated to maintain focus? |
| Pronoun clarity | Do all pronouns have clear antecedents? |
| Concluding sentence | Does the paragraph end with a summary, restatement, or transition? |
| Appropriate length | Is the paragraph long enough to develop the idea but not so long that it loses focus? |
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