English · Writing craft
Write a paragraph
Topic, detail, wrap-up.
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. Every paragraph has three important parts. The first sentence is the topic sentence. It tells the reader what the paragraph is about. The middle sentences give details and examples. They explain or describe the main idea. The last sentence wraps up the paragraph. It finishes your thought and reminds the reader what you were saying.
The topic sentence
The topic sentence comes first. It tells your reader the main idea. For example: 'My cat is very playful.' Now the reader knows this paragraph is about a playful cat. A good topic sentence is clear and simple. It does not give all the details yet. It just introduces the main idea you want to share.
Detail sentences
Detail sentences come in the middle. They give facts, examples, or descriptions. These sentences explain your main idea. For example: 'She chases her toy mouse every morning. She leaps onto the sofa and hides behind cushions.' These details help the reader picture what you mean. Use two or three detail sentences in most paragraphs.
The wrap-up sentence
The wrap-up sentence comes last. It finishes your paragraph neatly. You can restate the main idea in a new way. For example: 'My cat always makes me laugh with her games.' This reminds the reader what the paragraph was about. It gives a feeling of completion. Never introduce a brand new idea in the wrap-up sentence.
Why this structure matters
This three-part structure helps readers follow your ideas. The topic sentence prepares them. The details give them information. The wrap-up brings everything together. When you write a paragraph this way, your writing is clear. Readers can understand your message easily. Practice this pattern and your writing will improve quickly.
Worked examples
1. Arrange these sentences into a proper paragraph: (A) They swim in groups called pods. (B) Dolphins are intelligent sea animals. (C) They use clicks and whistles to talk to each other. (D) Dolphins are amazing creatures with special abilities.
- Find the topic sentence. It introduces the main idea without details. Sentence B works best.
- Find the detail sentences. They give facts or examples. Sentences A and C describe what dolphins do.
- Find the wrap-up sentence. It restates the idea and finishes neatly. Sentence D wraps up.
- The correct order is: B, A, C, D.
2. Write a paragraph about a rainy day using topic, details, and wrap-up.
- Start with a topic sentence: 'Yesterday was a very rainy day.'
- Add detail sentences: 'Water poured from the sky all morning. Puddles filled the playground. We had to stay inside at breaktime.'
- Finish with a wrap-up: 'It was the wettest day we have had all month.'
- Check: Does the first sentence introduce the idea? Do the middle sentences give details? Does the last sentence wrap up nicely?
3. Spot the mistake: (1) I love reading adventure books. (2) My dog is called Buster. (3) The characters go on exciting journeys. (4) Adventure stories are my favourite type of book.
- Check the topic sentence. Sentence 1 tells us the main idea: loving adventure books.
- Check the detail sentences. Sentence 3 gives a detail about adventure books. Sentence 2 is about a dog.
- Sentence 2 does not match the main idea. It should be removed or changed.
- The paragraph should only include sentences about adventure books.
Try it yourself
Put these sentences in the right order to make a paragraph: (A) He scored three goals last season. (B) My brother is a talented football player. (C) He also helps his teammates improve their skills. (D) He is becoming one of the best players on his team.
Ready to test yourself?
Take a short topic test — every question maps to a syllabus point so you’ll see exactly which parts you’ve mastered.