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Good Outlines,

Paragraphs, and Style


English Notes for
23 October 2012
Timothy Hagen

Good Outlines
A good outline should show the planned
organization of your ideas in a paper. It is
useful to go from a basic outline to a more
detailed one, adding key evidence and phrases
that you would like to use or diagramming the
logic you hope to employ.
The outline may be done roughly on paper; yet
it is often helpful to type one up, as this allows
for easier editing. Sometimes you may use the
outline as you write, turning the points into
paragraphs and sentences.

Good Paragraphs
A good paragraph should have unity and coherence.
Unity: A paragraph has unity if it is focused on one main
idea. To improve unity, use a topic sentence to focus your
paragraph. Check the sentences in the paragraph to see if
they address the main topic; if not, consider removing them
and placing them in a separate paragraph. The topic
sentence is usually placed at the beginning of a paragraph,
although some may have it near the end or unstated.
Coherence: If a paragraph has coherence, the sentences in
the paragraph link together or flow. To achieve coherence,
it helps to have unity. It also helps to use transition words
(Thus, therefore, consequently, etc..), sequences (First,
second, third), repetition of key terms or ideas, and a logical
association of ideas.

Good Style
To achieve good style, write simply, respectfully, and directly.
Avoid making sentences or ideas more complex than necessary.
Avoid using sexist or racist comments. Avoid beating around
the bush when you can state an idea or word explicitly.
Use parallel construction, as in the series of ly adverbs in
the first sentence of the previous paragraph or the avoid
openings of the three lines that followed it.
Move from what is known to what is unknown in defining terms
and introducing ideas
Write in a way that is neither too casual nor confusingly
complex.
Use precise terms and define them if they are new to the reader
or audience.
Use correct grammar.

Further Resources
Kirszner, Laurie G., Stephen R.
Mandell. 2008. The Pocket
Wadsworth Handbook. 4th ed. Boston:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Online Writing Laboratory. Indiana:
Purdue University.
www.owl.english.purdue.edu
Oshima, Alice and Ann Hogue. 2006.
Academic Writing in English. Pearson
and Longman.

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