Choose what order in which to place your paragraphs carefully. Should they go in chronological order (in order of how things happen in time)? In a logical order? Do you want to give your strongest paragraph first, or last, to start or end really strong?
Paragraphs should each express one main idea (noted in the topic sentence); everything within that paragraph should support the TS, and each paragraph should directly support the essay’s thesis!
Once you have selected your paragraph order, think about how to transition between paragraphs. Transitions are words you use to move from one idea or paragraph to another. You can even use them inside of a paragraph. You want to use transitions to let your reader know where you are going; are you going to add to a point you were making? Give another example? Switch to a new topic? Show the other side of an issue? Some possible transition words or phrases (and a few specific examples) include:
| First (secondly, thirdly, finally) |
| Furthermore |
| Moreover |
| Also |
| On the other hand |
| Conversely |
| Not only does the novel deal with the theme of how humans strive for social order, it also explores the theme of how humans are willing to follow power. |