Designing paragraphs

Designing paragraphs

Paragraphs form the third link that is critical to acquire effective writing skills. Besides words and sentences, they play a major role. Paragraph designing requires clear thinking and a systematic mind. Design of paragraphs has a direct impact on the layout and presentation of the writing and contributes significantly to attracting and retaining readers‟ attention. A few guidelines are:

(i) Paragraphs should exhibit unity of idea or topic
Contents of a paragraph should relate to one idea (a group of thoughts) or topic. However, unity can vary and so can the size of a paragraph. Ideally, a good test for a paragraph is that it should be possible to reduce the contents of a paragraph to one sentence or one statement. If it is not possible, unity of the paragraph is likely to suffer.

(ii) Paragraphs should be kept short
A paragraph should consist of 8 to 9 lines only. Paragraphs larger than 10 lines should be critically examined and „fat‟ cut off

 Large paragraphs are heavy and make reading dull and difficult
 Short paragraphs appear well-organized and invite readers to read on with attention
Paragraph positioning enhances layout design. A suitable system of headings and subheadings can further improve the attractiveness of the prose. These days printers use color schemes for titles etc to give „come hither‟ look to the readers.

(iii) Positioning topic sentence to advantage
Writers must become aware of the importance of positioning the topic sentence in the design of a paragraph. It can help in designing good paragraphs. However, where it should be placed in a paragraph depends upon the writers‟ plan:

(a) Placing topic sentence first
It is the best option and many firms have adopted it as a policy guideline.

(b) Placing topic sentence last
Here the beginning sentence in the paragraph serves as an introduction. The paragraph ends with the topic statement that is the real content.

(c) Placing the topic sentence in the middle
If a topic sentence is placed in the middle of a paragraph, it dilutes the content. It is rarely used but, in specific situations, it can impart the requisite impact.

(iv) Leaving unnecessary details out of the paragraph
This requires good visualization of the receiver. One can make the paragraph smarter by omitting extraneous details. Much depends upon the writers‟ judgment.

(v) Paragraphs should move the text forward
Each new paragraph is the next additional step in moving towards the goal of the message. If each paragraph represents the orderly development of the ideas, it facilitates move forward. Smoothness in writing style and good proficiency in choice of words and sentences can move the idea forward through each paragraph. Once a while, a short paragraph is incorporated to organize the transition from the previous paragraph to the next.