© Damen, 2002
15. Paragraphs.
A paragraph is one of the greatest tools you have in organizing your writing. It's a simple, almost subconscious way of cluing your reader in on the divisions that underlie your thinking. Ideally, a paragraph delineates a thought. In antiquity, a paragraph often was a single thought—and often a single sentence, usually a very long one. Writers today, however, tend not to go on the way classical authors did. In academic writing, most paragraphs include at least three sentences, though rarely more than ten.
So, how many paragraphs are enough, and how many are too many? For historical writing, there should be between four and six paragraphs in a two-page paper, or six and twelve in a five-page essay.* More than that, and it becomes difficult to see the larger contours of your argument. Fewer, and it's hard to see where sections start and end. A good general rule is two to three paragraphs a page.
But there's considerable flexibility here, too. So, perhaps it's better to look at paragraphs another way, from the inside. Instead of surveying the paper as a whole, you can count sentences within paragraphs. If so, all paragraphs should have between three and ten full sentences. All in all, a strong and coherent paragraph starts and ends itself, and so there's no need to count paragraphs when the argument is clear and directed.
In sum, remember the point of paragraphs is to show the structure of your thoughts. A paragraph should encompass one thought—that is, it should have some idea guiding it—which is then divided into separate sentences all of which address and advance that idea. So, insert a paragraph break when you are making a transition between ideas, or adding a new line of thought, or when you've finished summing up, as I'll do right now.
*You should be aware these standards will vary from class to class, even within historical disciplines. So, for instance, journalists tend to write in many short paragraphs. The same is true in some of the sciences. Just know that many short paragraphs are generally to be avoided here.
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FAQs
Paragraphs Should:
- Be focused on only ONE main idea. ...
- Start with a topic sentence. ...
- Include three or more sentences. ...
- Be proportional to your paper. ...
- You begin a new idea or point. ...
- You want to contrast information or ideas. ...
- When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion.
Illustration paragraph: a 5-step example
- Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence. ...
- Elaborate on the controlling idea. ...
- Give an example (or multiple examples) ...
- Explain the example(s) ...
- Complete the paragraph's idea or transition into the next paragraph.
5.1 The Structure of a Paragraph
- topic sentences.
- supporting detail.
- transitions and conclusions.
- paragraph length.
The five-paragraph essay consists of one introduction paragraph (with the thesis at its end), three body paragraphs (each beginning with one of three main points) and one last paragraph—the conclusion. 1-3-1. Once you have this outline, you have the basic template for most academic writing.
How should I structure my paragraph? ›
Your paragraphs guide your reader through the paper by helping to explain, substantiate, and support your thesis statement or argument. Each paragraph should discuss one major point or idea. An effective paragraph has three parts: claim, evidence, and analysis.
What is a good example of a paragraph? ›
A good example of a paragraph contains a topic sentence, details and a conclusion. 'There are many different kinds of animals that live in China. Tigers and leopards are animals that live in China's forests in the north. In the jungles, monkeys swing in the trees and elephants walk through the brush.
What are the hints for paragraph writing? ›
Good paragraphs begin with a topic sentence that briefly explains what the paragraph is about. Next come a few sentences for development and support, elaborating on the topic with more detail. Paragraphs end with a conclusion sentence that summarizes the topic or presents one final piece of support to wrap up.
What is the structure of a good paragraph? ›
A paragraph typically consists of three elements: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. In the topic sentence (which is often the first sentence), the topic or focus of the paragraph is presented.
What are the 4 elements of a good paragraph? ›
There are four essential elements that an effective paragraph should consistently contain: unity, coherence, a topic sentence, and sufficient development. In order for a paragraph to maintain a sense of unity, the paragraph must focus solely on a single idea, point, or argument that is being discussed.
What is paragraph format? ›
Paragraph formatting refers to formatting commands that affect entire paragraphs – settings such as indenting, bullets, line spacing and paragraph spacing. To understand paragraph formatting and how it works, you need to understand what a paragraph is.
The golden rule of writing = “Show don't Tell”. This is very relevant when it comes to reactions to situations.
Do and don'ts of paragraph writing? ›
DOs & DON'Ts
| What not to do | What to do |
|---|
| Do not use bullet points or lists, unless it is in a report. | use complete sentences and link these into logical paragraphs. |
| Avoid making assumptions or giving your opinion (unless specifically asked). | Be objective. |
| Avoid waffling or repeating yourself. | Be clear and concise. |
11 more rowsThe Basic Rule: Keep one idea to one paragraph
You can have one idea and several bits of supporting evidence within a single paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the overall topic of the paragraph.
What is guided paragraph? ›
This is a simple color coded guide for third and fourth graders to use when writing a paragraph . It begins with a topic sentence, then a reason or detail sentence, and finally a sentence that explains the reason or detail. There are also reminders of transition words and words that would be good to use at a closing.
What are the 7 steps of paragraph? ›
What are the 7 steps? 1) Paragraph topic and paragraph function, 2) brainstorming, 3) focusing, 4) topic sentence, 5) supporting sentences, 6) concluding sentence, and 7) check your work. What are the paragraph functions? Narration, description, persuasion and analysis.
