Writing for Business MOOC

Business Communication for Career Readiness

High Impact Business Writing Module 2

with Sue Robins, M.S.

Lesson 4: Paragraphs Learning Objectives

• Review the parts of a paragraph • Study an approach to organizing a paragraph • Learn the appropriate use of transitional phrases • Discuss paragraph outlining

Parts of a Paragraph • Topic Sentence • Supporting Sentences • Closing sentence

Organizing Paragraphs 1. Keep your main idea central 2. Explain the main idea 3. Use transitional phrases

Transitional Phrases Establish a time sequence Add a point

Establish place

Underscore a point Concede a point

Return to a point

Give an example Set up a contrast Set up a conclusion

Provide a reason

Outlining Paragraphs

Main Idea: » A. Supporting Idea 1. • 1. Supporting detail for Idea 1 • 2. Supporting detail for Idea 1 • 3. Supporting detail for Idea 1 » B. Supporting Idea 2. • 1. Supporting detail for Idea 2 • 2. Supporting detail for Idea 2 • 3. Supporting detail for Idea 2 » C. Supporting Idea 3. • 1. Supporting detail for Idea 3 • 2. Supporting detail for Idea 3 • 3. Supporting detail for Idea 3