Further Developing Paragraphs and Essays

A Writer’s Reference covers these strategies and more on pages 22–33.

Strategies for Development

1. Clarify the Main Points

Each paragraph should have a clear main point that connects directly to the overall thesis of the essay.
A vague main idea limits development. For example, stating “Giving a dog a bath is difficult” does not leave much room for expansion.
A clearer thesis such as “Giving a dog a bath is difficult because many dogs dislike water and do not like standing still for long periods of time” allows the writer to develop multiple focused paragraphs.

2. Provide Examples and Illustrations

After stating the main idea of a paragraph, writers should use examples from credible sources to clarify and support the point.
Example:
Polly Poodle, the owner of A Dog Wash, explains that many owners hate giving their dogs a bath because dogs run away, make a mess in the house, and splash water everywhere.
Using stories, explanations, and examples helps readers better understand and accept the argument.

3. Add Description to Strengthen Examples

Writers can further develop ideas by adding relevant descriptive details that increase credibility.
Avoid unnecessary or distracting details, but include information that strengthens the example.
Example:
Polly Poodle is the forty-eight-year-old owner of A Dog Wash. She has a master’s degree in animal science and has successfully run her business for twenty years, serving many satisfied, regular customers.

4. Compare and Contrast

Comparisons and contrasts can help clarify a point by showing similarities and differences related to the main idea.
The comparison must clearly relate to the thesis.
Example:
Many pet owners find that giving a cat a bath is both similar to and different from giving a dog a bath. Cats are usually smaller and harder to hold, and their sharper claws require protective clothing. Despite these differences, bathing either animal is often unpleasant.

5. Define Terms and Ideas

When a paper includes unfamiliar terms or specialized concepts, definitions help readers follow the discussion.
Definitions should be relevant to the main idea.
Example:
After finishing a bath, applying Revolution to a dog or cat is important. Revolution is a leading brand of flea, tick, and heartworm protection for pets.

6. Repeat Key Words Throughout the Paper

Repeating important words from the thesis helps maintain unity and focus.
Key terms should appear in topic sentences, body paragraphs, and the conclusion.
Example:
One reason giving a dog a bath is difficult is that it is messy. Another reason owners dislike bathing dogs is that it is time consuming.

7. Use Transition Words Between Sentences and Paragraphs

Transitions help ideas flow smoothly and clarify relationships between points.
Use transitions such as first, second, also, before, after, and therefore.
Example:
When giving a dog a bath, the owner should first fill the tub with water and bubbles. Therefore, to reduce stress, the owner should make a plan before beginning or schedule an appointment at a dog wash facility.

Example: Paragraph Development

The Initial Text

Many pet owners hate bathing their dogs. Some of the reasons that owners dislike dog baths are that they are messy and take too much time. Instead of stressing themselves out, owners should consider scheduling appointments at dog wash centers.

The Amended Text

Giving a dog a bath is difficult because many dogs dislike water and do not like standing still for long periods of time. Polly Poodle, the owner of A Dog Wash, explains that many owners hate bathing their dogs because dogs run away, make a mess in the house, and splash water everywhere. Another reason owners dislike bathing dogs is that it is time consuming.

Many pet owners find that giving a cat a bath is both similar to and different from giving a dog a bath. Cats are smaller and harder to hold, and their sharper claws require protective clothing. After bathing, applying Revolution medication is important. Revolution is a leading flea, tick, and heartworm treatment for cats and dogs.

Polly Poodle, a forty-eight-year-old business owner with a master’s degree in animal science, recommends preparing the bath in advance. When considering how messy and time consuming bathing dogs can be, owners should plan ahead or schedule an appointment at a professional dog wash facility.

Important Reminder

Not all development techniques fit every paper. Writers should choose strategies that best support their topic and purpose. For additional help with organization and development, see pages 22–33 of A Writer’s Reference.