On Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
When you write, it’s for someone else. So, when you write, keep that in mind. If you don’t, what you write won’t be read (unless, of course, it’s a brief or a memo that someone has to read).
The object of treating each topic in a paragraph by itself is, of course, to aid the reader.
– The Elements of Style
We’ve all been taught that the fundamental unit of composition is the paragraph, but did you know that there are federal guidelines about paragraphs?
That’s right. According to federal guidelines, a document should be organized into paragraphs, each paragraph should cover one topic, and each should begin with a topic sentence informing the reader what that topic is.
Legal writing expert Bryan Garner wouldn’t argue with that last point:
“Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence.”
– Bryan Garner
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Now, consider the introduction to this article that offers attorneys advice on selecting experts for patent infringement cases:
Most patent infringement cases involve complex technological, legal, and economic issues that present enormous challenges to judges and juries. Because of the unique nature of these cases, the testimony of expert witnesses plays an especially important role in the outcome. Indeed, using the right experts may ultimately determine which side will prevail. Therefore, as with few other types of litigation, choosing the right expert may spell the difference between success and failure.
Does that intro follow federal guidelines (or Garner’s advice)?
If it does, then the first sentence is the topic sentence, informing the reader that the paragraph is about “complex issues that present enormous challenges.” But the second sentence is about “the important role of expert-witness testimony.” Ditto for the next two sentences.
Suppose we just got rid of that first sentence. Would that yield a conforming paragraph?
Because of the unique nature of these cases, the testimony of expert witnesses plays an especially important role in the outcome. Indeed, using the right experts may ultimately determine which side will prevail. Therefore, as with few other types of litigation, choosing the right expert may spell the difference between success and failure.
The problem with this is too obvious — each sentence says that “choosing the right expert could affect the outcome of a patent infringement case.” Why say the same thing three times in a row? Why waste a reader’s time with a tautology?
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No part of an article written by you is more important than its introduction. People start there, and then they form an impression.
If you’re a skilled writer, that impression is favorable. Readers feel like they’ll learn something from you, and it won’t be any more of an effort than necessary. They read on.
Not so when you start out weak. Then they just move on. (Like you, they’re busy.)
