Skip to Main Content

Mini-module: Quick Guide to Writing Parapraphs

4. Supporting EvidencePage 4 of 7

Decorative

 

Facts

Most paragraphs start with a topic sentence, then after that comes the supporting evidence. Supporting evidence:

  • Should be relevant and support the point you want to make in the paragraph.
  • Can be facts, quotes, paraphrases, summaries, examples, ideas... whatever is appropriate. 
  • Needs references if you are using evidence from somewhere else. 
  • Should come from appropriate and reliable sources.

 

Example:

The example of a topic sentence from the previous page was "General Practice doctors are often too busy to see patients in person..."

Now, have a look at the supporting evidence for that topic sentence:

"...Smith (2018) found that 64% of enquiries to doctors' surgeries were referred to the NHS Online website rather than being given an appointment. When patients do go to a surgery, they are usually seen by practice nurses rather than the GP (Brown, 2015)."

Exercise: