I was asked almost a week ago to write about paragraphs. I was not procrastinating. It is just that I had to think about it. Paragraphs just grow out of our own style and organization style, so they become a personal communication style the same as prose and grammar style.
The problem most new writers have with paragraphs is that they do not know some of the basic rules. Second, paragraph rules are not the same as grammar rules. While the AP style can state that a colon joins two complete sentences, and Word and the Chicago style can state that a semi-colon joins two complete sentences; A colon starts a list when a comma in inappropriate. The rules for paragraphs are fairly firm.
Each paragraph should start with an introduction sentence. The rest of the information should support it. And, it should end with a transitional sentence.
Fiction writers have a few extra rules. Each paragraph should contain only one character's dialogue and action. If Jim speaks, and Jill reacts to it - that is two paragraphs. If Jill speaks, and Jim thinks about Jill's butt as she continues to speak - this again needs to be broken up so Jim's thoughts are in his own paragraph. Remember that introspection or internal monologue (thoughts) are treated like dialogue.
Now, take a look at the above. The first paragraph introduced the topic. The second talked about the people who face this problem. The third gave the general rules. The forth became more specific, and this is your summary paragraph. This is where writers get lost. Each paragraph should narrow the reader's line of vision and bring them to one specific point. Each paragraph needs a purpose. It shouldn't just let the reader wander through a story until the writer gets around to making their point.
So, when writing your paragraphs, make sure that they have a clear focus, are traveling in a similar direction, and that they support the opening and the summary - even in fiction.
Editor's Tip: Check paragraphs first, sentences second and then run spell check. You will save yourself hours of editing and rewriting.
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