🎯 B1–B2
⏱️ 5 min
💬 The essay mistake I made at 30: Writing four connected sentences is not a paragraph. A paragraph has a job. It makes one point, proves it, and tells you why it matters. This 3-part formula changed how I write in two languages.
The 3-Part Paragraph Formula
Example: “Learning a second language has significant cognitive benefits.”
Example: “Research by Nation (2001) suggests that bilingual speakers show greater mental flexibility and delayed onset of cognitive decline.”
Example: “This suggests that the value of language learning extends far beyond communication.”
❌ Common Paragraph Mistakes
- Two ideas in one paragraph → Split into two.
- No topic sentence → Reader is lost from line one.
- Details with no link to the main point → Cut or connect.
🎯 Quick Practice — Label the Parts
Read this paragraph and label each sentence T (topic), S (support), C (conclusion):
[1] Regular exercise has a powerful effect on mental health. [2] Studies consistently show that 30 minutes of aerobic activity reduces cortisol levels and increases endorphins, improving mood for several hours. [3] It follows that physical activity should be considered a core component of mental wellbeing strategies.
Reveal Answers ▼
[2] S — Supporting detail (research/evidence)
[3] C — Concluding sentence
✅ Takeaway: One paragraph = one idea. Topic sentence → Evidence/Example → Conclusion. If you can’t write a one-sentence topic sentence, you don’t know your own argument yet.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
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