Writing a Paragraph

Academic Skills Advice Sheet
In academic writing, one paragraph constitutes the presentation of one argument. A
paragraph contains a claim and proof of the legitimacy of that claim. Typically,
paragraphs contain two parts: the topic sentence and support.
The topic sentence states what you are talking about (the topic) and what you want to say
about it (claim).

Some examples:
• All apples (topic) have pips (claim).
• Studying at university (topic) is a waste of money (claim).
• Writing essays (topic) is the best fun you can have outside Las Vegas (claim).
• The Blue Whale (topic) is the largest animal that has ever existed (claim).
• The theory of general relativity (topic) is a metric theory of gravitation (claim).
Support can be made up of a variety of different things depending on what sort of claim
you are making. If you are describing a theory, the support would consist of further
exposition. If you are making a claim about the truthfulness or falsehood of something, it
would consist of proof.

Some types of support are:
• Facts
• Statistics
• Theory
• Logic
• Paraphrase
• Direct quotation
• Explanation
• Can you think of any more?

The support should convince the reader that the claim made in the topic sentence is
accurate. Also, bear in mind the relevance of the support. Be careful if you use a lot of
internet sources as there are few quality control measures on the web. The essay you
base your argument on might have been written by a 15 year old high school kid from
Minnesota.

Journals usually provide the most up to date forms of support and in general, the most
recent information is the best. Be careful about using books or journals that are more than
10 years old. Unless they are seminal (very significant) works, the chances are that
something more relevant has been written between now and then.
Sample paragraph:

Psychoanalysis (topic) is a pseudoscientific discipline as its claims cannot be disproved
(claim). One of the principle characteristics of the scientific method is the statement of
verifiable claims and the abandonment of theories that prove to be false. Thus although
Newton’s theory of gravitation was accepted for over 200 years, it was superseded by
Einstein’s theory of general relativity in the early 20th century (Carter, 1997).
Psychoanalytical claims are non verifiable as they are sufficiently vague so as to always
escape refutation (Popper, 1963). There is no end to the process of free association and
many of Freud’s claims defy testing. In the case of Little Hans, Freud argues that the
subject’s fear of horses is a manifestation of his desire to replace his father as his
mother’s mate (Oedipus complex). However, Freud would not claim all people who are
scared of horses want to kill their fathers, or that all people who kill their fathers are
scared of horses. The distinction between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations is
the difference between causes and reasons (Popper, 1963). Whereas science provides
causes for phenomena, Psychoanalysis provides reasons. A cause (such as the effects
of gravity) can be tested, a reason (such as seeing your parents argue when you were an
infant) cannot. Therefore Psychoanalysis should be seen as a pseudoscientific discipline
because it provides reasons not causes, and reasons cannot be disproved.
Now that you have read this paragraph, consider the types of support used. Does the
support add up to a convincing argument? Why?

• Facts Y/N - examples ………………………………….
• Statistics Y/N - examples ………………..……………
• Theory Y/N - examples ………………..………………
• Logic Y/N - examples ………………..………………..
• Paraphrase Y/N - examples ………………………….
• Direct quotation Y/N - examples ……………………
• Explanation Y/N - examples …………………………
• Are you convinced? Y/N Why? ..............................