Paragraph Construction

Understanding how to write effective paragraphs is important in any type of writing, but it is particularly important in writing essays. Well-constructed paragraphs help readers clearly understand the point you are trying to make. For many beginning writers, using a writing pattern helps to get you started.

Two popular forms of paragraph organization are I.C.E. and T.R.I.A.C.

Before you get started with either method, remember that writing an essay is about sharing with readers your thoughts about a particular topic and backing up your claims with information from experts in the field. It is not about sharing only what experts claim to be true.

I.C.E.

ICE stands for Introduce, Cite, Explain. The basic idea behind this method is to support your facts with appropriate citations and explain to readers your interpretation of the facts.

I: Introduce

Introducing your expert or source is important for readers because it shows the source is legitimate. In other words, if you are writing about a medical topic, it would make sense that you would gather information from medical journals, databases and medical professionals. On the other hand, if you were to use a family member as an expert, readers might not believe the claims that you are making.

Using a signal phrase helps introduce your expert material into your sentences and paragraphs in a smooth and coherent way. The following words can be used at the beginning, middle or end of your sentences:

As Examples:

According to Mike Willows at the University of Southern California, “Global warming is a real threat to our future”(23).

“Global warming is a real threat to our future,” insists Mike Willows from the University of Southern California (23).

“Global warming,” claims Mike Willows from the University of Southern California , “is a real threat to our future” (23).

C: Cite

Citing your sources means that you have given credit to the original author or agency that wrote the material. Citing your sources correctly preserves the original author’s rights. Not giving credit to your sources is an infringement of copyright and can result in your paper to be considered as plagiarized. (SEE: Plagiarism page).

If a paper is plagiarized, most teachers will ask the student to redo the entire essay, award zero points, or dramatically reduce his/her grade. In college, plagiarized papers can result in expulsion from school or a loss of credit for the course. With this in mind, follow this rule of thumb: “If in doubt, cite it.”

What should be cited?

In general:

• Cite anything that is quoted word for word directly from the original source.

• Cite anything that is paraphrased from the original source.

• Cite all tables, figures, maps, and etc.

• Cite anything from electronic sources off the internet

• Cite any interviews

How Do You Cite Sources?

Use a style guide for the exact guidelines. Most students will be asked to use either MLA style or APA style. If you are unsure what style to use, ask your teacher.

In general, page numbers, author’s last name or the first three words of an article title are enclosed in parentheses followed by a period. This is known as a parenthetical sentence because it includes a citation within the sentence. How you write your sentence will dictate how the parenthetical information is constructed.

For a complete listing of how to cite parentheticals, see RHS Style Guide.

Strong examples using MLA:

“By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production” (Williams 20).

(Quotation starts sentence, author and page # ends sentence)

Roger Williams insists, “By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production” (20).

(Author name begins sentence, and ends with page #)

Poor examples using MLA:

“By the year 2010, Williams says, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles.”(20).

(Misplaced quotation marks, too many periods, misplaced author name)

By the year 2010, a noted researcher insists, all carcompanies will be required to show that they have alternative cars in production (Times Magazine 20).

(Source title cited instead of author or article title)

E: Explain

Explaining or interpreting an author’s own words, helps show readers two things. First, it shows that you understand what is being written. Two, it shows how the information applies to your argument or to your thesis statement. Simply dropping in material from outside sources without explanation often confuses readers or makes it difficult to engage their interest.

Example:

“By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production” (Williams 20). With pressure like this on automotive companies, consumers should see the price of these vehicles drop in future years.

(This sentence explains the significance of the quoted material to readers in the writer’s own words)

Sample of a small ICE Paragraph using all three elements:

Since global warming has become a worldwide threat, the automotive companies are going to have to take some responsibility for lowering carbon dioxide emissions. One important step would be for the government to start insisting on alternative fuels for their cars. Researchers at the Department of Transportation confirm that they are already on it. “By the year 2010, all automotive companies will be required to show evidence of alternative fuel vehicles in production” (Williams 20). With pressure like this on automotive companies, consumers should see more and more cars like this in production.

T.R.I.A.C.

TRIAC is another way to organize paragraphs so that readers have a clear understanding of what you are trying to say. TRIAC stands for
Topic Sentence; Restatement; Illustration or example; Analysis; Conclusion.

T- Topic Sentence

Topic sentences frame the paragraph. It is the first sentence that readers read so it must give readers some idea of what follows. Think of topic sentences as umbrellas that hold the most important information.

R- Restatement

Restating or narrowing the subject so readers get prepared for the details and examples to support your claims.

I-Illustration

Illustrations are specific evidence, data, facts, quotes and/or examples to back up your topic sentence. Most often these illustrations are cited.

A- Analysis

Analysis means to explain to readers what the illustrations mean with regard to your topic and perhaps how they are relative to your thesis statement.

C- Conclusion

This is often called a clincher sentence(s) that re-emphasizes what the paragraph has discussed. It can also be considered a transition sentence to the next paragraph.

Sample Paragraph using TRIAC:

Global warming is a serious issue facing the world leaders today. Some politicians have taken up the cause and are using it as a political platform to generate more scientific research. According to former Vice President Al Gore, the time is now to act on this important ecological disaster. Without any changes to our current carbon dioxide emissions, Gore adds, our country could experience life threatening floods, hurricanes, drought and other natural disasters (Inconvenient Truth). Disasters like these can be avoided, however time is running out. As a nation, more and more of our politicians need to put pressure on the manufacturing plants to produce less carbon dioxide and support scientists who are creating the technology to take care of it.