paragraph-essay

 =paragraph & essay structures =

here is a diagram showing the most common & basic structure for paragraphs & essays 

Paragraphs
Why is it important to paragraph? The information, the ideas you put into a paragraph can be arranged in many different ways. Using a [|mnemonic] can be a useful guide to arrange the ideas you need for different purposes. Here are some examples:
 * To show that the writer is organised.
 * The writer’s argument is made easier for the reader to read and to understand.
 * To tell us a new point is being made.
 * So that we remember to separate one point from another.

mnemonic = **SEXY**         paragraph sentences arranged:
 * 1) **Statement**
 * 2) **Explanation of statement or Elaboration of statement**
 * 3) **eXample to illustrate statement**
 * 4) **Your response or interpretation **

mnemonic = **GEE** paragraph sentences arranged:
 * 1) **Generalisation**
 * 2) **Elaboration**
 * 3) **Example**

mnemonic = **LEER** paragraph sentences arranged: More about the LEER paragraph structure here.
 * 1) **Lead sentence**
 * 2) **Explanation**
 * 3) **Evidence**
 * 4) **Relevance**

Essays
You can build an essay by combining several paragraphs of one of the structure types outlined above, then adding an introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph. See the diagram above.

If you are writing an essay which presents **an argument** about a topic or issue, there's more to help you [|here]. If the essay is **an explanation** go [|here]. If you are writing **a report ** [|here's help]. Or try this page.

You can find on the web several OWLs - "on-line writing labs" - many hosted by universities to help students with academic writing. Massey University has one [|here] with much good advice and writing tutorial stuff. There's another [|OWL at Purdue University].