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Building Paragraphs

Think of language as a series of concentric rings around Planet Word. Words are the core element of the language: With them, we form sentences; then with sentences, we form paragraphs; and with paragraphs, we form essays.

This illustration helps you see how paragraphs fit into the scheme of things. They are more developed than sentences, but less than essays and reports. Writer Donald Hall rightly identifies paragraphs as both “maxi-sentences” and “mini-essays.” In this chapter, you will learn how to write strong paragraphs, a skill that will help you with all of your academic writing.