DP&L Episode 233 - Paragraphing

In this focused writing craft episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley explores the fundamental structure that drives successful scholarly communication. Christine reveals how understanding paragraph architecture can transform academic writing from scattered thoughts into compelling, publishable scholarship that resonates with readers and reviewers alike.

Christine introduces the concept that scholarly paragraphs function as miniature essays, each containing their own complete argument arc within the larger framework of academic discourse. This understanding shifts how writers approach paragraph construction, moving beyond simple topic sentences to crafting sophisticated micro-arguments that build toward larger scholarly conclusions.

Drawing on insights from Eric Hayot's The Elements of Academic Style, Christine discusses what Hayot terms "The Uneven U" structure - a reliable framework where effective academic writing begins with broad contextual statements, narrows to present specific evidence and analysis, then expands again to draw wider implications and connections. This pattern creates the rhythmic flow that characterizes polished academic prose.

• The episode demonstrates a practical revision technique for assessing paragraph effectiveness: extracting the final sentence from each paragraph or concluding paragraph from each section to evaluate whether the writing demonstrates progressive intellectual development. Christine explains how this diagnostic reveals whether arguments are genuinely building momentum or simply repeating the same level of analysis without advancement.

She emphasizes that strong academic paragraphs don't merely present information but actively engage in scholarly conversation, with each paragraph contributing a distinct piece to the overall intellectual puzzle. The concluding sentences of well-crafted paragraphs should collectively reveal an upward trajectory of thinking, moving from specific observations toward broader theoretical insights.

Christine connects this paragraph-level attention to the larger project of scholarly publication success, noting how editors and reviewers can quickly assess manuscript quality by examining paragraph structure and flow. Writers who master these foundational elements significantly improve their chances of acceptance and positive reception within their academic communities.

The discussion highlights common challenges academics face when translating complex research into clear, compelling prose, particularly the tendency to front-load paragraphs with evidence while neglecting the crucial interpretive work that transforms data into meaningful scholarly contribution.

 

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 224: Academic Article Writing Norms

 

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY:

• Join Christine for an intensive workshop designed to elevate your scholarly writing through strategic paragraph construction:
• Thursday, June 26
  DPL Writing Class: Creating and Revising Effective Academic Paragraphs
  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dpl-writing-class-creating-and-revising-effective-academic-paragraphs-tickets-1376273925359?aff=oddtdtcreator
  This hands-on session will provide concrete techniques for implementing the architectural principles discussed in this episode, offering participants the opportunity to workshop their own writing while learning systematic approaches to paragraph revision and refinement.
• Summer Professional Development: Defend Publish & Lead offers multiple free webinars and seminars designed for faculty developers, graduate students, and academics at all career stages, available through their Eventbrite page.
  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/defend-and-publish-20030111125
• Free Resources Available: Visit defendpublish.com and click "Events" to access comprehensive faculty development programming including writing group facilitation, administrative writing support, and dissertation writing strategies.
• Need help developing stronger paragraph-level writing skills or implementing systematic revision strategies? Contact Defend, Publish & Lead for personalized coaching support tailored to your scholarly writing goals.