The BuildWithWords Academy

A Step-by-Step Guide for Nigerian Students

One of the most common questions I get from young adults in BuildWithWords Academy is: “How do I know when to start a new paragraph?”

It’s a great question. Many students write entire essays in one long block of text, or they break paragraphs randomly without any clear structure. This makes their writing hard to follow, even when their ideas are brilliant.

Here’s the truth: A well-structured paragraph is like a mini-essay. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Once you understand this structure, your writing will become clearer, more organized, and more professional. Whether you’re writing school essays, professional emails, or your first novel.

Let me show you exactly how to build a strong paragraph, step by step.

What Is a Paragraph, Really?

A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea.

That’s it. Not multiple ideas. Not half an idea. One clear idea, fully explained.

Think of a paragraph like a plate of jollof rice at a party. The jollof rice is the main idea (the star of the plate), and everything else… i.e the chicken, plantain, coleslaw, supports and complements it. You wouldn’t put two different types of rice on the same plate, would you? Similarly, you shouldn’t put two main ideas in the same paragraph.

The 4-Part Paragraph Structure

Every strong paragraph has four parts:

1. Topic Sentence (The Main Idea)

This is the first sentence of your paragraph. It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about.

Example: “Learning English grammar can be challenging for Nigerian students.”

This sentence introduces the main idea: the challenge of learning English grammar. Everything else in this paragraph must relate to that idea.

2. Supporting Sentences (The Evidence/Explanation)

These are 3-5 sentences that explain, prove, or give examples of your main idea.

Example: “Many Nigerian students struggle with subject-verb agreement because their native languages don’t follow the same rules. For instance, in Yoruba and Igbo, verbs don’t change based on singular or plural subjects. Additionally, students often learn grammar through rote memorization rather than practical application, which makes it harder to use correctly in real writing.”

Notice how every sentence here supports the topic sentence. We’re still talking about why grammar is challenging—we haven’t jumped to a new topic.

3. Examples or Details (Make It Real)

Add specific examples to make your point clearer and more relatable.

Example: A student might write, ‘The students is going to class,’ mixing up ‘is’ and ‘are’ because in their native language, this distinction doesn’t exist.”

This example helps the reader visualize the problem. It takes the idea from abstract to concrete.

4. Concluding/Transition Sentence (Wrap It Up or Connect)

The last sentence should either summarize your point or smoothly lead to the next paragraph.

Example: “With consistent practice and clear instruction, however, these grammar challenges can be overcome.”

This sentence wraps up the paragraph while hinting that the next paragraph might discuss solutions.

The Complete Paragraph:

Learning English grammar can be challenging for Nigerian students. Many Nigerian students struggle with subject-verb agreement because their native languages don’t follow the same rules. For instance, in Yoruba and Igbo, verbs don’t change based on singular or plural subjects. Additionally, students often learn grammar through rote memorization rather than practical application, which makes it harder to use correctly in real writing. A student might write, “The students is going to class,” mixing up “is” and “are” because in their native language, this distinction doesn’t exist. With consistent practice and clear instruction, however, these grammar challenges can be overcome.

See the structure?

• ✅ One clear main idea (grammar challenges)
• ✅ Supporting explanations (why it’s challenging)
• ✅ Specific example (the “is/are” mistake)
• ✅ Concluding thought (it can be overcome)

Common Paragraph Mistakes Nigerian Students Make

Mistake 1: One-Sentence Paragraphs

❌ “English is important.”

This isn’t a paragraph—it’s just a topic sentence with no support. Always develop your ideas.

✅ Better: “English is important for Nigerian students because it is the language of instruction in most schools and universities. Without strong English skills, students may struggle to understand their textbooks, participate in class discussions, or perform well on exams.”

Mistake 2: Paragraphs with Multiple Main Ideas

❌ “I love reading books. My favorite author is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I also enjoy playing football on weekends. My brother is studying engineering.”

This paragraph jumps between four different ideas. Each one needs its own paragraph.

✅ Better: Pick one idea and develop it fully.

Mistake 3: Paragraphs That Are Too Long

If your paragraph is more than 7-8 sentences (or takes up half a page), it’s probably trying to cover too much. Break it into two paragraphs.

When Should You Start a New Paragraph?

Start a new paragraph when:

1. ✅ You introduce a new idea
2. ✅ You change time (e.g., from past to present)
3. ✅ You change location (e.g., from Lagos to Abuja)
4. ✅ A new person starts speaking (in dialogue)
5. ✅ You want to emphasize something important

Example:

Paragraph 1: Discussing the benefits of reading
Paragraph 2: Discussing the challenges of finding time to read
Paragraph 3: Offering solutions to make time for reading

Each paragraph = one clear idea.

Practice Exercise: Build Your Own Paragraph

Topic: “Why I want to improve my English writing”

Step 1: Write your topic sentence (your main reason)
Step 2: Add 2-3 supporting sentences (explain why)
Step 3: Give a specific example
Step 4: Write a concluding sentence

Try it now! Write your paragraph in the comments or in your journal.

Final Thoughts

Good paragraph structure isn’t about following rigid rules—it’s about making your writing easier to read and understand. When your paragraphs are well-organized, readers can follow your thoughts smoothly, and your ideas shine through clearly.

Remember: One paragraph = One idea, fully developed.

Master this, and your essays, emails, and stories will immediately become stronger.