What is the paragraph?

The paragraph is a set of written sentences that share a topic and a

communicative context, so they are written in sequence. It is one of the major
units in which a written text can be broken down.

The paragraphs of a writing organize each other in a sequential and logical

manner, as well as the sentences within each one of them. This will depend on
the cohesion and coherence of the text and, in the long run, its ability to
correctly convey the message to the reader.

The paragraphs can be long, occupying several pages, or also short, even of a
single line. But they always contain a main idea, nuclear, and several others
that accompany it.

Paragraph characteristics

Start and end

Paragraphs are recognized in the middle of a text because they always begin
with a capital letter (that of their first sentence contained) and especially
because they end with a period and a separate sign, an unequivocal signal that
it will be passed to another topic or to another set of information of the same
theme.

Main sentence

Every paragraph contains a main sentence that serves as the core of meaning.
She dictates “what is going on” the paragraph in question, and around it the
secondary sentences are interwoven. It is known as thematic prayer, too.

Secondary Prayers

Secondary sentences, on the other hand, provide context to the main sentence,
providing important information to understand it in its just dimensions and
allowing to elaborate the focus in depth. They are vital to substantiate, argue
and support the main thesis of the paragraph.

Main characteristics of the paragraph

1- Formal aspect

With regard to the formal aspect of the paragraphs, these should begin with a
capital letter and culminate in a separate point.

In general, the paragraphs present at least two consecutive points within their
structure. In addition to this, the paragraph should start with a tabulation or
double spacing that separates it from the previous paragraph.
Look at the paragraph just presented and you will see that it complies with the
formal aspects that have been explained.

Start with a capital letter and end with a period. Present three ideas separated
by two consecutive points. Finally, it is separated with double spacing.

2- Unit

Unity is one of the main features of the paragraphs. This means that all the
ideas presented in the paragraph are correctly related, so that it is easy for the
reader to understand the meaning.

This is also known as thematic unit, since in each paragraph only one theme is
developed.

In each paragraph, only one secondary idea should be developed. This

secondary idea must be directly related to the main idea presented in the
introduction of the text.

The paragraph may include supporting ideas that allow you to develop the
secondary idea. Information that does not relate to the secondary idea but to
the main one should be presented in a new paragraph, so as not to break the
thematic unit.

3- Coherence

Consistency is related to the thematic unit. Consistency means that all the ideas
presented in the paragraph respond to the same topic, thus creating an
understandable sense.

The ideas in a coherent paragraph are organized following a logical thematic

progression.

The lack of coherence occurs when the writer constantly changes his mind
within a paragraph, moving away from the main topic.

To ensure the consistency of a paragraph, the writer must constantly ask the
following questions:
- Does this topic relate to the main idea of the text?
- How does this topic relate to the idea presented in my paragraph?

4- Cohesion

Cohesion refers to the connections that exist between the ideas that make up a
paragraph.

This property of the paragraph can be achieved through various elements such
as pronouns (which avoid unnecessary repetitions), prepositions, conjunctions,
adverbs and connectors.
The cohesive elements allow to give order to the paragraph, which can be
chronological, of cause and effect, of contrast, among others. They also allow
emphasizing certain parts of the paragraph.

5- Central idea

Every paragraph must present a central idea, in which the subject to be dealt
with is clearly stated. This idea must be specific enough so that it can be
developed in a single paragraph.

In general, the paragraph begins with a main idea, which describes in a few
words what the content to be developed will be.

In this way, the main idea creates expectations in the reader, which will be
fulfilled if the development of the paragraph is adequate.

For example: Cockroaches, insects found in most houses and apartments in

large cities, are almost impossible to exterminate.

In this sentence identify the central theme of the text (cockroaches) and the
specific topic to be developed in the paragraph (the problems regarding the
extermination of cockroaches).

6- Support ideas and closing idea

Paragraphs should present supporting ideas, which allow developing the central
idea of the paragraph.

Sometimes, these supporting ideas can be comparisons, descriptions or

examples. In this way, the central theme of the paragraph is explained.

Finally, a closing idea must be presented in which the paragraph is concluded,

in order to give way to the next paragraph.

7- Adequate development

As explained in the previous section, support ideas allow developing the central
idea of the paragraph.

The correct thing is that the development of the paragraph is adequate, that is,
that it describes, explains and supports the central idea.

If the writer does not fulfill what was promised in the central idea, then the
reader will be left with questions once the paragraph is finished. This is a sign
that the paragraph has not been developed properly.

Paragraph types

There are several kinds of paragraphs, including:

Introductory Paragraph Those that serve to initiate a thematic development
and provide the reader with the initial information essential to begin written
communication.

Conceptual paragraph Those whose purpose is to articulate a specific concept

or provide an explicit meaning to the reader. They are theoretical paragraphs.

Exhibition Paragraph Those in which the exhibition function of language is

deprived, that is, the objective exposition of the ideas to be addressed.

Argumentative paragraph. Those in which an opinion or position of the author

is developed regarding a specific topic or information.

Narrative paragraph. Those in which a story or a succession of events

occurred is reconstructed.

Descriptive paragraph. Those in which the description is deprived, that is,

providing details regarding a particular event or object.

Paragraph dialogue. Those in which a dialogue takes place between

characters, real or fictional.

Final paragraph. Those that serve to close the text and fire the reader.

Separation

Modern paragraphs do not require any other textual separation than the point
and apart, and the beginning of the next paragraph with moderate indentation.
However, in the past, the corrido texts were written and the paragraphs were
marked with a typographic sign called calderón (¶). In certain contexts, such as
the newspaper, you choose not to bleed the initial lines, but demarcate with an
empty line the jump between one paragraph and the next.

Styles

There are three styles of paragraph separation, as explained in the previous

point, and these are:

Spanish. Also called ordinary or normal, it is the most used and bleeds the first
line but does not add additional separation between paragraphs.

German. Also called a block or modern, it does not bleed the initial lines, but
separates the paragraphs by means of line spacing.

French. Also called in summary form, it bleeds all the beginning of the
paragraph except the initial one. It is usual in dictionaries and encyclopedias
whose paragraphs have numbering.

Unity and coherence

All parts of a paragraph must have to do with each other, that is, they must be
spun in a logical and thematic way, and they must happen clearly and clearly.
The same will happen between the paragraphs of a text.

Proportions

Paragraphs do not have a stipulated proportion, and may, especially in literary

works, vary between single-line paragraphs (which provide a shocking effect on
the reader) or huge multi-page paragraphs. This will depend on the particular
style of the writer.

Numeration

In many ancient literary works or texts from other eras, it will be common to find
a numbering by paragraphs (and even by lines or verses). This fulfilled the
function of orienting the reader in the body of the text and is in absolute disuse
in contemporary times. However, it is still possible to bump into philosophical or
academic texts written in that way.

Etymology

The word paragraph (also paragraph) comes from the Greek paragraphs,
composed of two words: "para-", which translates "like" and "graphos" that
translates "writing." Already then its meaning was clear: the written units of the
like.