How to structure an academic paragraph

Because academic writing is primarily about creating and sharing knowledge, there is a straightforward way to organize your paragraphs that helps convey the most important information easily. It also helps to make clear your critical thinking for your professor.

Make Your Paragraph a M.E.A.L.

There are various ways to organize an academic paragraph, but here is a basic acronym you can follow to help you structure your writing at the paragraph level: M.E.A.L.

M: Main Point Sentence

The first sentence of your paragraph states the main point of the paragraph and often connects back to the paper’s thesis.

For example:

A second theme that emerges from the sources is .

E: Evidence

These sentences use quotations, paraphrases, statistics, examples, and/or illustrations to develop and support the main point of your paragraph.

For example:

XX write that, “” (citation).  

A: Analysis/Synthesis

These sentences express your views on the evidence and show why the evidence is significant or important for the main point of the paragraph. 

For example:

In other words, XX helps us see that .

L: Linking-Back Sentence

This final sentence mirrors the main point sentence and restates the main point of the paragraph.

For example:

In sum, by stating these arguments, these sources highlight [the theme].

Let’s Put It All Together 

M: A second theme that emerges from the sources is . E: XX write that, “” (citation). A: In other words, the is important for . E: Similarly, YY addresses the same theme when they write, “” (citation). A: What they help us see here is . E: Further, both sources offer insights on [the theme] by arguing that . L: In sum, by stating these arguments, these sources highlight [the theme].

By using the M.E.A.L acronym to structure your academic paragraph you ensure that your main point is clearly stated, your analysis effectively supported, and your critical thinking made visible for your professor.