The key word in writing a paragraph and ultimately an essay is focus. This is actually what has been stressed so far. That is why the topic sentence is such an important element. Problems of clarity, unity, repetition and consistency rarely occur when a writer has clearly defined the subject. But focus in writing does not come from merely researching a topic. Writing is a thoughtful process. When there is understanding, a focus cannot help but develop10 The key word in writing a paragraph and ultimately an essay is focus. This is actually what has been stressed so far. That is why the topic sentence is such an important element. Problems of clarity, unity, repetition, and consistency rarely occur when a writer has clearly defined the subject. But focus in writing does not come from merely researching a topic. Writing is a thoughtful process. When there is understanding, a focus cannot help but develop