TEAS® English Study Guide
Paragraph Development
A well-built paragraph has a clear structure, and questions in this area test whether you can recognize its parts and put ideas in a logical order.
The parts of a paragraph:
- Topic sentence — Usually the first sentence, this states the paragraph’s main idea. It’s broad enough to cover the whole paragraph but focused on one point.
- Supporting details — Sentences that explain, prove, or illustrate the topic sentence.
- Transitions — Words that connect ideas and show how they relate.
- Concluding sentence — Wraps up the paragraph, often restating the main point.
Transitions. The right transition signals the relationship between ideas. The following lists different functions a transition can perform, as well as common examples:
- To add: also, in addition, furthermore, moreover
- To contrast: however, but, on the other hand, nevertheless
- To show cause/effect: therefore, as a result, because, so
- To give an example: for example, for instance
- To sequence: first, next, then, finally
Logical order. Sentences should flow in a sensible sequence: the topic sentence sets up the point, supporting details build on it in order, and a conclusion closes it. When a question asks you to arrange scrambled sentences, find the topic sentence first (the broadest one), then follow the transitions and logic to order the rest.
Putting it in practice:
To spot a topic sentence, look for the one broad enough to cover everything else. To choose a transition, decide what relationship the sentence needs — adding, contrasting, showing a result — and pick the matching word. To order a paragraph, place the topic sentence first and let transitions guide the sequence.
Example:
Regular exercise improves health in several ways. (topic sentence — broad) For instance, it strengthens the heart. (supporting detail with a transition) It also improves mood. (another detail) For these reasons, exercise is worth the effort. (conclusion)
The topic sentence opens the paragraph, details follow with transitions, and the conclusion closes the thought — a complete, logically ordered paragraph.