How to Write a Paragraph

Paragraph writing remains one of the most important parts of writing. The paragraph serves as a container for each of the ideas of an essay or other piece of writing. Paragraphs are versatile and can take many forms that strengthen your writing, provide variety for readers, and help readers to organize the ideas you present.

Paragraph Length in a Piece of Writing

While it is true that a paragraph may be of any length, it is most common for an essay paragraph to be at least 3-5 sentences long and to be no longer than half a typed, double-spaced page. Journalism paragraphs (newspapers and magazines) tend to be 1-3 sentences long. Some paragraphs in books, especially technical treatises, might go on for several printed pages. No matter what length an individual paragraph, most good writing varies paragraph length within any one piece of writing. If there are a few short paragraphs, then a longer one usually comes along. If there are one or two long paragraphs, usually a short paragraph or two will intervene to give the reader a short break in concentration.

Use Paragraphs to Break Up Ideas

A paragraph is the container for only one idea. Often, a longer paragraph can - and should - be divided into smaller units. Usually a large, complex idea is made up of smaller ideas and can be explained in more paragraphs with those smaller ideas. The point, though, is to have one coherent paragraph - all of the ideas in each sentence of the paragraph must relate to a single main point. That point is most often made in a topic sentence.

Topic Sentences in Paragraphs

A topic sentence gives the main idea of a paragraph. It usually occurs as the first or last sentence of the paragraph. Some paragraphs will not have a topic sentence, if the main point is obvious. Others might place the topic sentence slightly differently. Occasionally, as in this paragraph, the topic sentence might begin the paragraph but be restated in a different way at the end. That is to say, most writers put the topic sentence of a paragraph at the beginning or the end or both.

Grammar in Paragraphs
Every sentence in a paragraph must be grammatically correct, in so much as that grammar aids in understanding the ideas that the writer would like to convey. The topic sentence, in particular, must be very well written and very clear to readers. Of course, WhiteSmoke's grammar checker can be employed here to pick up any errors. The WhiteSmoke free online grammar checker could even be used if you just need to check your writing very occasionally.

Types of Paragraphs
Most writing has an introductory paragraph or an introduction of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion of a few paragraphs or concluding paragraph. The introduction and conclusion are, of course, supported by body paragraphs. The typical body paragraph develops, supports, or elaborates a given topic sentence. Most paragraph structures longer than 1-2 sentences have common elements. For example, expository paragraphs have three important elements common to most paragraphs: flow, or unity (a clear connection to the rest of the essay and placed in a sensible way

among the other paragraphs; development (detailed, specific support or elaboration of the main idea); and coherence (each sentence clearly relates to the previous and next sentence in an understandable and sensible manner). Persuasive paragraphs focus on developing a strong argument that would convince someone who disagrees with the writer's position. Narrative paragraphs have similar features of flow (or unity) and coherence. However, the development might be more related to the action or events narrated in the paragraph than to supporting an argument. Coherence in a narrative paragraph usually comes from the chronological order of the "story" or narrative. Similarly, a descriptive paragraph might find its development through giving a series of sensory details or of abstract ideas that describe an object (or concept or theory), rather than through support. These two types of paragraph - narrative and descriptive - differ only slightly in these respects from expository paragraphs, but the differences are still important. With some attention to flow, development, and coherence in your paragraphs, you will soon be writing powerfully. 1. Introduction: Paragraph-writing is an art and this art can be learnt only if the student takes it up seriously, understands what a paragraph precisely means, what the principles of its structure are and what essentials or characteristics distinguish it, and knows how to proceed with writing it. He should also be aware of the pitfalls which he has to avoid and the useful hints which he has to follow. Since the impact of a paragraph depends on the language and expression, the student must learn the basics of a good, idiomatic and effective language and must constantly try to improve his expression. If the paragraph he has written looks like any other paragraph, what is different or special about it? The student can make his paragraph special and different by being original and innovative and by leaving his distinct imprint on it. For this however he will have to make a conscious effort. Regular practice patience and perseverance will help him acquire the requisite skill and confidence in writing paragraph.

2. Paragraph Defined: A paragraph is a passage or a set, group or collection of sentences, logically arranged and properly inter-linked and interconnected, with unity of purpose. It deals with one main idea, a distinct aspect, a division of some theme or subject or one single topic Biscay, a paragraph forms an integral part of a longer composition. It is an essay in miniature, in that an essay consists of many paragraphs, which are inter-connected by their thematic content each paragraph of an essay deals with one distinct aspect of the given subject. Paragraph-writing is, in fact, a stepping-stone to essay-writing. In an essay the subject in discussed at length and from various points of view, while in a paragraph the thread of the main argument or standpoint is never lost and deviations or digressions from it are not allowed. Though a paragraph forms a part of a longer composition, it has a separate entity, it is selfsufficient and complete in itself and it can be read and understood quite independently The student must remember that when he is asked to write a paragraph on a given idea, topic or theme, he is expected to write a complete unit independent of all other thought-processes. His paragraph must have a beginning, middle and an end. He cannot conclude it abruptly; he has to wind up his observations in a proper and satisfactory manner.

He must also note that a paragraph means one and only one paragraph and he cannot divide his paragraph into smaller parts. 3. The Structure of a Paragraph: A good paragraph is a well-constructed, properly developed and coherent piece of writing. The sentences of a paragraph should be so arranged as to give the impression of a united whole. They must relate to one main idea (or a number of closely connected ideas), topic or theme. Incongruous and unrelated elements, irrelevant illustrations and deflections and divergences must be scrupulously avoided. The ideas or details should be developed in a logical order and one sentence should lead on naturally to the next. As already stated, a paragraph has a beginning, middle and an end. The student may introduce his paragraph in a variety of ways, but the introductory sentence or sentences must be clear, impressive and striking so as to awaken the reader's interest. The middle part of the paragraph illustrates and elaborates the topic, theme or subject. In the concluding line or lines the passage is neatly summed up, the observations are wound up in a proper and satisfactory manner and care is taken to avoid an abrupt ending. 4. The Topical Sentence or the Key Sentence: The topical or key sentence is that in which the topic, theme or subject of a paragraph is distinctly expressed or the scope of the paragraph is furnished. This maybe the first sentence of the paragraph or the last one. A paragraph may have no topical or key sentence at all. The general drift of the paragraph tells the reader what the topic is. The theme or the central idea may even be implied rather than clearly expressed. 5. Monotony to be avoided: A paragraph, howsoever short or long, should not be dull and monotonous. The sentences of a good paragraph should vary in length d construction. If a judicious use of active and passive, direct and indirect, assertive and interrogative sentences, various figures of speech and other devices is made, a paragraph can be prevented from being monotonous and wearisome. There is a cadence in written words also and like a good musician a good writer creates a flow, a rise and a fall in his sentences. Proper emphasis should be laid on words, sentences and points, wherever necessary. The effect of a paragraph can be heightened by using occasional parentheses and antitheses. Well balanced and logical clauses containing similarity or contrast produce a telling effect. The central idea of the paragraph can be briefly summarized at the end; the statement made at the beginning can be repeated and confirmed at the end. Consecutive sentences which repeat or elaborate the same idea and are formed in the same manner produce a certain kind of emphasis. Statements or arguments can be arranged in an ascending scale so as to lead to the climax at the end. In no case should a paragraph be allowed to give the impression of artificial and contrived writing. It should be natural, easy flowing and marked with clarity. 6. The Length of Paragraph: It is wrong to think that all paragraphs should be or can be equally short or long. There is no hard and fast rule as regards the length of paragraphs. The nature of the topic, the importance of the points and the observations that the writer wants to make determine the length of a paragraph. It is advisable to keep in mind that a paragraph. It is advisable to keep in mind that a paragraph should not unnecessarily or in an unnatural, forced or contrived manner be short end or

lengthened. The guiding principle should be naturalness, relevance and proper and satisfactory development of the topic, theme or subject. If the student is asked to write a paragraph within the given word-limit, he should prune down his material by deleting less important points and shortening the important ones. 7. How to proceed with waiting a Paragraph: Everybody has his own method of writing a paragraph or any other piece of composition and everybody has his own distinct style. That is as it should be. When one has acquired proficiency in the art of writing, one simply sets about writing the required piece. But it is always better to plan well and execute well. For a beginner, who often gropes in the dark when asked to attempt a composition, it is essential to learn a certain method, to know how to proceed with the work assigned to him. The following hints will prove to be helpful to him. (a) He should devote some time to thinking about the given topic and jot down all the ideas, thoughts and points that occur to him. (b) He should, then, sift out the relevant material from the irrelevant and unimportant. (c) He should arrange the relevant ideas, thoughts and points in a systematic manner, seeing to it that one idea/thought/point leads naturally to the next. (d) He should think of some striking and impressive sentence or sentences with which to begin his paragraph. Similarly he should decide how to conclude his paragraph most effectively. (e) The well-worked-out outline of his paragraph should now be finally made with three distinct parts: Introduction, development, which may consist of several points, and conclusion. (f) He should now take the points of the outline one by one and construct well-connected, lucid and easy flowing sentences on them. (g) It is always advisable to revise what one has written, to make necessary corrections and alterations, to delete what is still found to be superfluous and to add what is still found to be lacking. (h) If necessary, the length of the paragraph should be adjusted to the specific requirement. 8. A Reminder of the Pitfalls to be avoided: (a) A paragraph means one and only one paragraph and it must not be divided into smaller parts. (b) Incongruous and unrelated elements, irrelevant illustrations and deflections and divergences must be scrupulously avoided. (c) The introductory sentence or sentences should not be dull or insipid, the conclusion should not be abrupt and incoherence must be shunned. (d) A paragraph should not be a piece of monotonous, artificial or contrived writing. (e) A paragraph should not be made too short or too long unnecessarily or in an unnatural and laboured manner. 9. A Word about Language and Style: The language of a paragraph should be simple, lucid and fluent and the style should be direct, free from ambiguities and obscurities and marked by clarity. The sentences should not be circuitous and cumbersome. The figures of speech and other devices should be used judiciously and sparingly so as to keep the clarity, naturalness and flow of the paragraph intact.

It must, however, be remembered that a writer's language is as simple or as difficult as his knowledge of its vocabulary and idiom. The most important thing is the choice of appropriate words and phrases and correct idiomatic expressions.
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