This is a model paragraph written to illustrate important features of clear writing. There are several things to notice:

The first thing to notice is the topic sentence. The topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. For paragraphs which give information or explain something, this is the best place for the topic sentence. Why is this so? Because if writers tell what a paragraph is about at the beginning, it helps readers to predict content and thus to understand the ideas more quickly.

This is a good topic sentence because it does the two things a topic sentence is supposed to do. First, it announces the subject of the paragraph, in this case the movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Second, it lets readers know how the writer is going to treat the subject. In this case, the writer is going to try to convince us that the movie is entertaining. A good topic sentence will always have a word or phrase which tells how the writer intends to treat the subject.

The second thing to notice about the paragraph is the subtopic sentences. In the topic sentence, the writer asserted that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was one of the most entertaining movies ever made. When someone makes an assertion like this, we have the right to ask, "What makes you say so?" The writer answers by giving us his reasons, and these reasons are stated in the subtopic sentences. There are three of them:

First of all, one of the biggest attractions of this movie is its co-stars, Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

In addition to its marvelous stars, the movie has an exciting, adventurous plot.

Finally, the movie depicts the life of crime--a subject that is often dealt with seriously in film--in a light and humorous way.

Notice also that each of these sentences begins with a transitional word or phrase. These words or phrases tell readers that a new subtopic is being introduced. It is important to use markers like these because it helps readers to keep pace with your thought. You are telling them in effect, "All right now, I am going to start talking about something different. Follow me."

Third, the writer does not just assert that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the most entertaining movies ever made and give some general statements (the subtopic sentences) to back up this assertion. The writer gives evidence from the movie to back up the claim. The evidence is included in all of the sentences which describe characteristics or tell of specific events in the movie.

Finally, because of the way the writer has ordered the sentences in the paragraph, it is logically structured and coherent. We can see how all the sentences of the paragraph fit together if we outline it.

Topic Sentence: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the most entertaining movies ever made.

First Subtopic Sentence: First of all, one of the biggest attractions of this movie is its co-stars, Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

Evidence: These two men were at or near the peaks of their careers when the movie was released,

Evidence: and they gave fine acting performances.

Evidence: In the movie, the characters they play are brave and dashing, yet somehow quite human.

Second Subtopic Sentence: In addition to its marvelous stars, the movie has an exciting, adventurous plot.

Evidence: It follows Butch and Sundance as they rob trains and banks, elude a posse, and go to live in Bolivia, where they continue their life of crime.

Evidence: At one point they even jump off a high cliff into a fast-moving river to escape pursuit.

Third Subtopic Sentence: Finally, the movie depicts the life of crime--a subject that is often dealt with seriously in film--in a light and humorous way.

Evidence: For example, one morning, right after eluding pursuers, Butch takes time out to perform several comical feats on his new bicycle.

Evidence: And, of course, there is a constant flow of wit which adds levity even to grim situations.

The paragraph entitled Tutankhamen's Tomb shares the same features as Bitch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A useful exercise would be for you to read the paragraph and then to make an outline for it as I have done for the paragraph on Butch Cassidy. After you have made your outline, compare it to mine by clicking on the link given below.