Paragraphing
How to use paragraphing to structure a piece of writing
Once you have planned your writing, it is important to think about the layout. Use the content of each paragraph within your work to ensure your ideas are well organised and they follow a logical order.
Paragraphs should direct your reader through your writing, or create a particular effect. A good way to remember when to start a new paragraph is by using the TiP ToP A word formed from the initial letters of other words.:
Time, Place, Topic, Person
Start a new paragraph whenever you are:
- moving to a different time in your story
- changing location
- bringing in a new idea
- introducing a new character
- starting a new piece of action
- starting The words said by a character in a story or play.
You can also use paragraphs to highlight tense or significant moments within your story. For example, a one-sentence paragraph is likely to add A feeling of potential conflict between a group of people. In an audience or reader, a sense of potential conflict, or a feeling of anxiety due to what may be about to happen. or highlight a turning point in a The sequence of events in a plot; a story..
When you start a new paragraph, ask yourself the questions:
- Is the narrative moving forward to a different moment in time?
- Is the narrative moving to another location?
- Is the narrative moving on to a next phase?
- Do you want to create a specific moment of tension?