What About Paragraphs?

• What's all the fuss about paragraphs?
• Why do we have to write using them?
• Why are they there when we read?
• What can I learn about paragraphs that will help me read?
• What can I learn about paragraphs that will help me write.

 

Paragraphs are visual markers (signals) provided by a writer to tell a reader that there is:

• A start of new information,
• A change of information for a new or different purpose or point of view,
• A continuation of information, but to a different part.

 

Paragraphs signify a change of text in eight (and only eight) possible ways:

 

• Shift to a new or different idea
• Shift to a different part of a previous idea
• Shift to a new or different time
• Shift to a new or different place
• Shift to a new or different character
• Shift to a new or different speaker
• Shift to a new or different action
• Shift to a different part of a previous action

 

So, as a reader, when you come to a new paragraph, you must decide if the author has made a shift in one of the ways outlined above. Is there a new or different time shift? Is there a new or different character being described? Has a new action begun? Is there a new idea being presented; and if so, for any of the stated questions, what is that shift? What is the action; the character; the idea, etc.?

 

In this way, you will be practicing a part of something called metacognition, which is nothing more than being aware of what you are reading and noting it while you are reading. It is knowing that you know, and knowing what you know as a result. This aids in your recall of text after you read and your ability to make connections, predictions, projections, and think of new ideas both while and after you read.