Four things to remember about paragraphs:
- Paragraphs are sentences grouped into blocks, each block dealing with a topic.
- Paragraphs are separated from each other by an extra line space.
- Paragraphing is important because a long, unbroken page of text is often difficult to read.
- In chemistry, when your text is filled with information and long names, it's important to make it easy for your reader to absorb everything you are saying. Paragraphs are one way of letting your reader take a breath.
Some frequently asked questions about paragraphs:
How long should a paragraph be?
- Paragraphs have no precise length, but in an essay, ten lines is quite a useful guide.
What should a paragraph contain?
- A paragraph should contain a key point; expansion of the key point; evidence supporting the key point.
If I have a lot of information, can one key point be spread across paragraphs?
- Certainly. Key points are often divided between paragraphs, with each paragraph dedicated to a different aspect of the point.
Can an introduction and a conclusion contain more than one paragraph?
- Yes. Introductions and conclusions can contain more than one paragraph if your essay addresses two related topics which, for clarity, are best kept separate in the introduction and conclusion.