English
What is a paragraph and when do you start a new one?
Quick answer
A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. Start a new paragraph when the time, place, topic or speaker changes.
In one sentence
A paragraph is a block of sentences that belong together because they are about the same idea.
Explained
Imagine reading a whole story with no breaks at all: one giant block of text. It would be tiring and confusing. Paragraphs split writing into manageable chunks, each with its own job, so readers can follow the ideas.
You can spot a paragraph because it starts on a new line, either indented (moved in from the margin) or with a blank line above it. Most handwriting in school uses an indent; most websites use a blank line.
When to start a new paragraph. Many teachers use the memory aid TiPToP: start a new paragraph when there is a change of
- Time: The next morning, ...
- Place: Back at the castle, ...
- Topic: moving from what pandas eat to where they live
- Person: a new character takes the focus, or a new speaker in dialogue (see inverted commas)
Building a good paragraph. In information writing, a paragraph often starts with a topic sentence that states the main idea, followed by sentences that explain it with details and examples: Penguins are expert swimmers. Their wings work like flippers, and their smooth bodies slip through the water. Some can stay underwater for several minutes.
Paragraphs also need to connect. Linking words and phrases such as however, after that, as a result, on the other hand show how one paragraph leads to the next. In England this is called cohesion.
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Examples
Story:
Maya crept down the stairs. The house was silent apart from the ticking clock.
In the kitchen, a light was on. Someone had left the fridge door open.
(New paragraph: change of place.)
Information:
Volcanoes form where hot, melted rock rises through cracks in the Earth's crust...
Some volcanoes are active, which means they could erupt...
(New paragraph: change of topic.)
Common mistakes
- One paragraph for everything. Look for changes of time, place, topic or person.
- A new paragraph for every sentence. One-sentence paragraphs are for effect, not habit.
- No topic sentence in non-fiction, so readers have to guess the point.
Quick quiz
Paragraphs
Check what you know with 4 quick questions.
Question 1 of 4
What is a paragraph?
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For grown-ups
Related topics
Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that makes complete sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter, ends with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark, and usually has a verb.
Summarising
Summarising means retelling the most important ideas of a text briefly, in your own words, leaving out small details and examples.
Persuasive writing
Persuasive writing tries to convince the reader to agree with a view or take an action, using clear reasons, evidence and carefully chosen language.
Inverted commas
Inverted commas, also called speech marks or quotation marks, go around the exact words someone says, like "Come here," said Mum.
Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun, telling you what kind, which one or how many, like a huge elephant, a sour lemon or three red balloons.
Adverbs
An adverb gives more information about a verb, adjective or another adverb, telling how, when, where or how often, like slowly, tomorrow, outside or always.