How to write a 5-sentence paragraph

A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized and coherent, and are all related to a single topic. Any piece of writing that is longer than a few sentences should be organized into paragraphs. Paragraphs show the reader where the subdivision of an essay begins helping the reader grasp its main points. 

A paragraph can contain different types of information from a series of brief examples or single long illustrations of a general point. A paragraph can describe a place, a character, or a process. It can narrate a series of events, compare or contrast two or more things, classify items into categories, or describe causes and effects.  All paragraphs share certain characteristics regardless of the kind of information they contain. 

Paragraph structure

Most paragraphs in an essay have a three-part structure, the introduction, body, and conclusion. This structure can be seen in paragraphs whether they are narrating, describing, comparing, contrasting, or analyzing information.  Each part of the paragraph plays an important role in communicating meaning to your reader. 

Introduction: This is the first part of the paragraph. It should include the topic sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that gives background information or provides a transition. 

Body. The body follows the introduction. It discusses the controlling idea using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, and any other important information about the topic. 

Conclusion. It is the final section of a paragraph. It summarizes the connection between the information discussed in the body of the paragraph and the paragraph’s controlling idea. 

How do you write a paragraph?

You have to find a good topic and collect enough data about the topic to determine how you will write the paragraph. Once you have enough supporting details, you can start creating sentences, connect the sentences following a sequence, and come up with a perfect concluding sentence. To understand this better, please consider the following:

• Find a topic sentence. This is the first sentence that introduces the topic or the main point. It gives the reader the main idea of what the paragraph will be about. 
• Supporting details. Supporting details: These are the details that can be collected from various sources. It comprises the information related to the topic that gives strong support to the main topic.
• Closing sentence: It is the last sentence that ends the paragraph, and restates the whole idea of the paragraph. It is basically the concluding sentence that gives the basic idea of the whole topic.

Types of Paragraph Writing

It is essential to know the types of paragraph writing before you write about any given topic. Therefore, check the below information to understand the various types of paragraph writing. Majorly, there are four types of paragraph writing, i.e., narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive.

• Descriptive: These kinds of writing basically describes the topic, and are appealing to the five senses.
• Narrative: These kinds of writing are basically a narration of a story or a situation that includes a sequence.
• Expository: These kinds of writing are a definition of something. These paragraphs require a lot of research.
• Persuasive: These kinds of writing aim to make the audience admit a writer’s point of view. These are mostly used by the teachers to provide a strong argument.

Writing a 5 sentence paragraph

Begin with a topic sentence. 

• State what the paragraph is all about, the topic.
• Make it interesting
• Be sure to indent

Write three detailed sentence

• Each sentence should talk about the topic
• Use good describing words and interesting action words

Ending sentence

• Restate the topic of the paragraph
• Keep it interesting
• Make it a closing sentence so your reader knows this is the end of the paragraph

Let’s review

• Write an interesting topic sentence that is indented
• Write three detailed sentences that are about the topic.
• Writing a closing sentence that restates the topic.

Some useful transitions

To show addition

You can use the following words to show addition, again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too.

To give examples

The following words can be used to give examples, for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate. 

To compare

The following transition words can be used to show comparison, also, in the same manner, likewise, and similarly.

To contrast

You can use any of the following terms to contrast, although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet. 

To summarize or conclude

The following terms can be used to summarize your paragraph or essay, all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up.

To show time

You can use any of the following terms to show time, after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, earlier, during, formerly, finally, later immediately, next, since, meanwhile, subsequently, shortly, thereafter, then, when, until, while. 

To show the place or direction

The following terms can be used to show place or direction, below, above, elsewhere, beyond, here, farther on, opposite, nearby, to the left (north, east, right, etc.)

To indicate local relationships. 

You can use the following words to show logical relationship, as a result, accordingly, because, consequently, hence, if, for this reason, since, otherwise, so, since, therefore, then, thus. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a paragraph be two sentences?

Yes, a paragraph can have two sentences as long as they are related to one another and expresses one main idea. There are no specific rules on how long a paragraph should be but 5 sentences in a paragraph is the ideal maximum number.

Does a paragraph need five sentences?

No, a paragraph can have one or more sentences depending on the medium, topic, audience, and purpose of the text. There are no distinct guidelines on how long a paragraph should be. However, five is usually the maximum number of sentences that make up a good paragraph.

What is the ideal length of a paragraph?

The ideal length of a paragraph is 100-200 words with a maximum number of 5 sentences. This allows the readers to get a good grasp of what the topic is about. An ideal paragraph consists of an introductory sentence, 2-3 supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.

Is 12 sentences too long for a paragraph?

Yes, 12 sentences paragraph is too long for a paragraph. While there is no absolute rule for how long a paragraph should be, five is usually the maximum number of sentences that make up a good paragraph to avoid readers getting lost in the text.