Writing a paragraph
Many of the techniques and strategies that you employ when writing in your first language are
transferable to writing in English. This page offers a brief overview of this essential competency
through two commented paragraphs.
A well-written paragraph is coherently structured around one main idea. It begins with a “topic
sentence” that clearly descirbes the subject of the paragraph. This is followed by two to four
supporting sentences providing details and examples. The last sentence of the paragraph of an
essay often transitions to the next paragraph/main idea. Here, the final concluding sentence may
be your opinion about the topic. In the examples below, notice the diverse range of sentence
complexity that brings interest to the texts.
The Riot Games and the plaintiffs in a class-action gender The
topic discrimination lawsuit against the company have reached a second
sentence settlement, the League of Legends maker announced yesterday. sentence
covers In November, plaintiffs Melanie McCracken and Jessica Negron may give
the main filed suit against Riot, following an investigative report by greater
idea. Kotaku in August 2018 that described a workplace riven by context or
sexism, harassment and retaliation against those who definition.
complained.
In response to the report, Riot announced expansions to its
culture, diversity and inclusion policies, and hired an
Transition words may
independent consultant (and a former executive at Uber, itself Include
introduce opposing
the subject of gender discrimination controversy) to advise on facts or
culture change at the company. examples.
Riot’s position in this case was not always so amicable; in May,
opinions.
the company attempted to drive the proceedings into arbitration
hearings, which typically limit outcomes for potential plaintiffs.
Workers organized a walkout to protest forced arbitration, and it
was a significant workplace action underlining the recent push
among developers to organize their labor.
Riot Walkout, the group behind that action, called the settlement
“a victory for women in games. We believe that the policy
changes Riot agreed to make will continue the progress toward
equality that we’ve made over the last year.”
Paragraph adapted from The closing sentence may offer your opinion or
O. Good (2019) “Riot conclusion, nuanced by modal verbal constructions such
settles class-action suit as “may” or “will likely”. Here, the group states, “we
with employees who believe”. In English, we do not say “according to me”.
alleged sexism, However, you can write “according to Riot Walkout” or
discrimination “according to the Kotaku report,”.
