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We learned about paragraphs in elementary school, but how much do you really know about them? Why do we have them? Why don't we just write in one big block? The information will still get out in the text!

Why we Need Paragraphs
Most writers probably don't know enough about them. Here are the basics for what their used for, and why we need them.

1) Better Skimming

Very few people will read every word in an article. Most people read what they need to know, and find what they need to know by looking at the beginning of each paragraph. For each large paragraph, you should write a summary of what the next piece of text will specifically be about.

2) Organize Thoughts
We don't think in one big blob. We organize our thoughts into parts, and an article should be organized into parts as well. This can be done by paragraphs. Even when writing a story, although it should all fit together and be continuous, it should also be separate.

Parts of a Paragraph
Each paragraph we write, if written well, should have special parts to it so the reader can understand and process the information.

1) Beginning, Middle, and End
Our brain cannot process a 300 page book, introduction, middle, and end in one single thought. We can't even do that with a chapter. Each paragraph should have it's own introduction, middle, and end so that the reader can create the thought effectively in their mind. Without this, we would get lost when reading any sort of text.

Take this above paragraph for example:

Introduction: "Our brain cannot process a 300 page book, introduction, middle, and end in one single thought. We can't even do that with a chapter."

Middle: "Each paragraph should have it's own introduction, middle, and end so that the reader can create the thought effectively in their mind."

End: "Without this, we would get lost when reading any sort of text."

In a paragraph as simple as that, each part is still essential. In a more complex paragraph, the middle section would be much larger, and go much more in depth depending on the subject.

2) Topic Sentence
Here we go back to the basics of writing a story. Just like every story, essay, and article, each paragraph needs a topic sentence (thesis). If you feel as though you're going away from the topic sentence, you need to start a new paragraph.

Each sentence within the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence. You may be asking, if there is only one topic sentence to get the point across, why do we need the other sentences? The answer is this: The other sentences should provide more detail, but still be relevant to the topic sentence. In fact, the topic sentence should mostly be dumbed down, as the reader should process it quickly to get a basic understanding of the paragraph.

3) Transitions
Like said before, relevance is key to any paragraph. So, what comes with any paragraph writing comes a good use of transitions. Is it easy to use transitions in your paragraph? If not, your new sentences may be going off-topic.

I just used a few examples of transitions. Let's take a closer look:

"Like said before, relevance is key to any paragraph. SO, what comes with any paragraph writing comes a good use a transitions. Is it easy to use transitions in your paragraph? IF NOT, your new sentences may be going off-topic."

So - as a result of my last sentence
If not - one possible answer to the question I asked within the paragraph directly before

These general rules are the basics of writing effective paragraphs. As with anything, writing good paragraphs comes with time and experience. Keep an eye out for topics, relevance, and transitions, and your paragraph writing skills are likely to improve.

Learn more about this author, Brenna Mae.
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