Paragraphs…

If you are writing more than a few sentences you need to divide your work into paragraphs.

. Paragraphs make it clear to the reader when we start to write about a new thing, a new topic, or a new aspect of the thing being discussed.

. Paragraphs separate items, such as examples, from the main text.

. Paragraphs are used when quotations are introduced.

                                                 How long is a paragraph?

The length of a paragraph depends entirely on whatyou have to say- they can be long or short depending on the context and content. Single sentence paragraphs can be effective occasionally, but they should not be over- used in your work. The use of a single sentence paragraphs throughout a piece of writing is not to be  recommended. Equally, very long paragraphs can confuse the reader.

                                                 The Benefits of Paragraphs…

. Using paragraphs makes you think about how you are going to structure your writing.

. This meanes that you need to plan out in advance what you are going to say and what each paragraph will cover.

. As you write you need to think carefully about how your ideas link together from paragraph to paragraph. This can help the fluency of your writing.

. Paragraphs help your reader to understand what you have written. It is easier to read and understand the content of each paragraph and to see how one idea leads on to the next. Un- paragraph text is hard to read because it is presented as a solid block of writing.

. Paragraphs are also used to structure dialogue and make it clearer to read.

                                          Features of a Paragraph…

1. Each paragraph is about a separate topic or separate aspect of a topic.

2. Each paragraph begins by giving an indication of what it is about or what is going on.

3. The paragraph then goes on to develop this idea in more detail.

4. One paragraph often links to another. However, if you move on to a completely different topic there will be more of a break.

5. Paragraphs normally consist of two or more sentences, althrough sometimes a single sentence paragraph can make the point effectively.

                                                  Useful words and Phrases…

Words that help put your ideas in order:

. Firstly, then, so far, secondly, next, eventually, subsequently, at last, at lenght, afterwards.

Words to make a contrast:

. But, nevertheless, alternatively, despite this, on the contrary, however, yet,the opposite, instead, whereas, on the other hand.

Words to sum up:

. In brief, in summary, throughout, in all, on the whole, to sum up, overall, finally, to recap, to conclude, in the end.