FOCUS An essay should have a single clear central idea. Each paragraph should have a clear main point or topic sentence. DEVELOPMENT Each paragraph should support or expand the central idea of the paper. The idea of each paragraph should be explained and illustrated through examples, details, and descriptions.UNITY Every paragraph in an essay should be related to the main idea. Each paragraph should stick to its main point. COHERENCE An essay or paper should be organized logically, flow smoothly, and "stick" together. In other words, everything in the writing should make sense to a reader. CORRECTNESS A paper should be written in generally correct standard English, with complete sentences, and be relatively error-free.