NCO Primary Leadership Subjects
Organizing Paragraphs
Your outline set the pattern for your writing by listing the topics your paper will
Single or
cover. A short paper may cover each topic in a single paragraph. A more complex
multiple
subject may require a paragraph for each subtopic with subparagraphs for supporting
paragraphs
detail.
The following method will help you organize your paragraphs.
A method of
organizing
Step
Action
Result
1
Limit each paragraph to a single Each paragraph will be built
around a central idea with
topic.
information limited to what the
reader needs.
2
Begin the paragraph by telling The paragraph will begin by
what it is about. Use a topical stating the main idea or by
heading or begin with a full topical introducing the subject.
sentence.
3
Add supporting thoughts and data
The discussion will not be
on the subject. Say all you have to
scattered
throughout
several
say about the topic in one
paragraphs. However, you may
later refer to or draw conclusions
paragraph.
about the topic.
4
As you progress from one part of
Each thought will flow smoothly
the paper to the next, use
from one to the next. Your reader
transitional words and phrases like
will easily follow your progression
"however," "therefore," and "in
through the paper.
addition." Use pronouns to refer
to nouns used in earlier sentences
(e.g., he, she, it).
5
The concluding sentence should The last sentence of the paragraph
summarize the paragraph. In a will reflect the emphasis on key
complex paragraph, the final information in the first sentence.
sentence should mirror the key
information in the opening
sentence.
Continued on next page
Writing Mechanics and Composition
4-29
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