A Military Writer's Handbook
Paragraphs

Climactic Paragraph

The climactic paragraph pattern takes the direct paragraph and turns it upside down. Its main point is in the last sentence, not the first. Along the way, the climactic paragraph has led the reader toward a final punch—usually from a general idea to something specific. The pattern of this paragraph reflects the way we think about an idea—collecting data and information until we can arrive at a considered conclusion. Standard thesis paragraphs follow a climactic structure. Climactic paragraphs are also effective when you are trying to persuade the reader to accept a particular point of view on the basis of evidence presented.

   In his 1997 Report to the Prime Minister, then Minister for National Defence Doug Young directed that Canadian forces officers would, with the exception of those commissioned from the ranks, require an undergraduate degree. That policy statement, commonly known as MND 10, has been vigorously debated in the intervening years. Those who see no compelling need for junior officers to have degrees frequently point to the fact that the CF has operated effectively in the past with officers who did not have post-secondary qualifications; other observers suggest that the possession of a degree does not of itself guarantee a well-developed intellect. While these opinions have a certain ring of truth, the notion that officers need not have degrees flies in the face of the Minister's direction, as well as trends in general and professional education.

A climactic paragraph is the best choice for an opening paragraph of a short argumentative piece—which is the case for this sample paragraph. The paragraph succinctly states an issue, briefly articulates a problem, and presents a clear argument (underlined). Here the thesis statement is positioned according to convention in the last sentence, announcing the argument that the writer will begin to develop in subsequent paragraphs.