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Paragraphs Are Related Sentences

A new paragraph indicates a change, as in speaker, action, place, or time.

Sentences in a paragraph should all be related. In dialogue, they should all be by the same speaker.
Sentences in a paragraph should all be related.

Related sentences should vary in length.

The sentences should all relate to each other in the same event/action/description.

Shorter paragraphs tend to be more readable on smaller electronic devices.

For most paper books and magazines, the first line of each new paragraph should be indented. Paragraphs should immediately follow each other with no blank line between.

Business letters and online stories/articles/posts do not usually indent the first line. Instead, as in this post and many others you will find, a blank line follows each paragraph.

Starting a new paragraph lets the reader know that a different person is speaking.

The Elder proceeded, “They used to tell us some great stories about your father, too. Big man, isn’t he?”

“Yes, sir, fairly good size.”

“Yes, I remember some of his fights we used to hear about; and there was another member of the family, they mentioned a good deal. Dad—Dad—”

“Howitt,” said Dan softly.

“That’s it, Howitt. A kind of a shepherd, wasn’t he?”

The indentation is deeper than normal, but WordPress will not do with this paragraph what it did below. (:>(

            The Elder proceeded, "They used to tell us some great stories about your father, too. Big man, isn't he?"
            "Yes, sir, fairly good size."
            "Yes, I remember some of his fights we used to hear about; and there was another member of the family, they mentioned a good deal. Dad—Dad—"
            “Howitt,” said Dan softly.
            "That's it, Howitt. A kind of a shepherd, wasn't he?"

The closing quotation marks should not be included until the final paragraph (unless an unspoken action interrupts the speaking). The final quotation mark indicates the end of all that is related to the same speaker.

Paragraphs are shortened to save blog space and reader time):

“Let me explain what happened.” Joseph sat up straighter.

“First, when we motored out to the middle of the lake, the sun was shining. There were a few clouds, but nothing scary. We hadn’t been out for ten minutes when …

“Then the boat began to sink …

“We paddled furiously, trying to …

“Jeremiah found a hole and stuffed …

“Fortunately, with that minor repair, …”

He sank back into his chair.

(Each paragraph has an opening quotation mark. The closing quotation mark is only at the end of the last paragraph of what is spoken.)

(Each paragraph has an opening quotation mark. The closing quotation mark is only at the end of the last paragraph of what is spoken.)

Screen Shot 2020 12 03 at 2.27.21 PM

(Each paragraph has an opening quotation mark. The closing quotation mark is only at the end of the last paragraph of what is spoken.)

A paragraph that takes up an entire page will slow down the reading. Too many long paragraphs will discourage the reader.

The key to writing a good paragraph is to keep all the sentences in that paragraph related to a single action.

For paper, an indentation identifies a new paragraph. (Business letters often use the extra line method.)

Screen Shot 2020 12 03 at 2.37.35 PM

This takes more space, as a blank line is added after each paragraph. Business correspondence often uses this style.

Example:

Dear customer:

Thank you for your interest in our new gadget designed to wash your dishes remotely. We have spent many hours in its development.

Your question was how remote “remotely” means.

Our earliest version of WYDR (“Wash Your Dishes Remotely”) required the person to be located within a distance of no more than 300 feet. That was convenient for anyone still in the house or in a back or front yard.

The newer WYDR allowed the person with the remote control to be within a mile of the device, allowing someone who forgot to turn on the dishwasher to operate it from well beyond the driveway.

Our newest control, with the help of NASA, allows the operator to start the dishwashing process from any planet in the solar system. While this may seem like an extravagant claim, we have tested it from the International Space Station. Please inform us if you are going beyond that.

If you have further questions, feel free to call us at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

Jane Doe
Manager, WYDR

Credit: Photo by Dimitri Houtteman on Unsplash


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