Chapter 3 shows you how to turn your topic question into a clear and forceful thesis statement. It also provides you with ways to evaluate your thesis. Have you stated it fairly? Can you prove it in the time and space available? | Chapter 8 How to Improve Your Writing Style Good essays are written in a clear and accessible style. You want your readers to be able to understand and appreciate your argument without becoming distracted by misused words faulty sentences or poor paragraph structure. In this chapter we offer a few basic tips to help you improve your writing style. If you need additional assistance with these ideas consult your teacher or a librarian for other published works on the subject. Good writing is not a matter of talent or luck. It is hard work. If you really want to be a good writer practice writing every day. I. Paragraph structure A. A PARAGRAPH IS A SHORT ARGUMENT THAT SUPPORTS ONE MAIN IDEA ABOUT YOUR TOPIC. B. FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCES MAKE UP A PARAGRAPH. 1. The topic sentence is a general statement or argument that you intend to prove in the body of the paragraph. a. It states one main idea about your topic the idea discussed in the body of the paragraph. b. Every other sentence in the paragraph must be related and subordinate to the topic sentence. 81 Copyright 1999 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use 2. A supporting sentence backs up the assertion made in your topic sentence. The paragraph may contain as many supporting sentences as you wish. 3. A limiting sentence reduces the scope of the topic sentence in some way. There should be only one limiting sentence per paragraph. 4. A transitional sentence links paragraphs with a common idea. It is always the last sentence in a direct paragraph. C. THERE ARE THREE BASIC TYPES OF PARAGRAPHS. 1. In a direct paragraph the first sentence is a topic sentence. The topic sentence is then followed by either supporting sentences or by a limiting sentence. EXAMPLE Direct paragraph The rise of the new physics has been accompanied by a tremendous growth of interest in the deeper philosophical implications of science. Over the past half-century physicists have moved away from strictly mechanical models of the
