What is a paragraph?

Grammar Toolkit

Paragraphs

Grammar Toolkit

Paragraphs

A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic, described in a topic sentence.

All mammals are warm-blooded. Warm-blooded animals keep the same body temperature all the time. Most mammals are covered with fur or hair, which helps to keep them warm. Sea mammals without fur, such as whales, have a layer of fat to keep them warm.

All reptiles are cold-blooded. They rely on heat from the sun …

topic sentence

sentences related to the topic

topic sentence

sentences related to the topic

Show a new paragraph by indenting the first line from the margin or inserting a line break.

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Paragraphs

A topic sentence is usually the paragraph’s first sentence, but it can appear in the middle of the paragraph or even at the

end. Either way, all sentences must relate to the topic sentence.

Fast food often contains high levels of fat, salt or sugar. It can be low in fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is popular with suppliers because it is cheap to make and can be stored a long time.

Fast food became popular as more people bought cars.

Fast food is quick to prepare but may not be a healthy meal.

My dad loves fast food.

Fast food is often served in cartons or plastic bags.

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Which topic sentence is the best match for this paragraph?

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Paragraphs

Paragraphs can be any length, but very long paragraphs can be confusing and very short paragraphs

give your writing a jerky feel.

In fiction, a new paragraph:• signals a change in setting (time or place)• highlights a contrast• shows a change of speaker in dialogue• introduces a pause

In nonfiction, a paragraph ends when the topic sentence has been completely discussed. You’ll see short paragraphs in newspapers and other texts where readers skim for main ideas.

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Paragraphs

Where should this block of text be divided into paragraphs?

Brooke felt lonely. She was sitting by herself under the sun shelter, eating a banana sandwich. Her best friend, Beatrice, was not at school today. Ruby dawdled up to Brooke. “Hey, where’s Beatrice?” she asked. “She had to go to the dentist,” sighed Brooke. “Eeuuuwwww,” said Ruby, screwing up her face. “Do you want to draw pictures with me? I’ve got new textas.” Ruby unzipped her pencil case and showed Brooke the textas. “They have fat tips at one end and thin tips at the other. Have a try.” Ruby passed Brooke some paper, and the girls began to draw. Ruby drew a page of mermaids. Brooke tried to draw a mermaid but it looked like a whale, so she scribbled all over it. Instead, she showed Ruby how to draw on her thumb with the texta and then make a thumbprint on the page. She drew six legs on the thumbprint.

Brooke felt lonely. She was sitting by herself under the sun shelter, eating a banana sandwich. Her best friend, Beatrice, was not at school today. Ruby dawdled up to Brooke. “Hey, where’s Beatrice?” she asked. “She had to go to the dentist,” sighed Brooke. “Eeuuuwwww,” said Ruby, screwing up her face. “Do you want to draw pictures with me? I’ve got new textas.” Ruby unzipped her pencil case and showed Brooke the textas. “They have fat tips at one end and thin tips at the other. Have a try.” Ruby passed Brooke some paper, and the girls began to draw. Ruby drew a page of mermaids. Brooke tried to draw a mermaid but it looked like a whale, so she scribbled all over it. Instead, she showed Ruby how to draw on her thumb with the texta and then make a thumbprint on the page. She drew six legs on the thumbprint.

Grammar Toolkit

Paragraphs

• A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic, described in a topic sentence.• All sentences in a paragraph should relate to

the topic sentence.• Paragraphs can be any length, but very long

paragraphs may confuse your reader and very short paragraphs give your writing a jerky feel.• In nonfiction, a paragraph ends when the topic

sentence has been completely discussed. In fiction, a paragraph ends to show change, contrast, a change of speaker or a pause.

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Paragraphs

The End