paragraphing
Breaking into sections
Paragraphing is the practice of dividing written text into paragraphs—discrete blocks of sentences grouped around a single idea or topic.
Good paragraphing guides readers through an argument or narrative, signaling shifts in focus or time.
Her paragraphing was choppy, with too many one-sentence breaks.
The term also applies to the act itself: I need to work on my paragraphing before submitting the essay.
Inward cut or setback
- breakInterrupt continuity
- sectionDistinct divided part
- chunkingDividing into manageable parts
- segmentationDivision into sections
separation · spacing · block · demarcation · partitioning · subdivision · whitespace · unit
Inward cut or setback
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- spacingInterval arrangement between objects
- justificationReason proving rightness
- marginEdge of a page
Wholeness through cohesion
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- transitionsMovements between states
- linkingForming a connection
- connectivesWords linking clauses
flow · continuity · sequencing · consistency · interconnection · integration · thread · progression
Summary of key elements
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- developmentProgress toward maturity
sequence · argument · evidence · analysis · conclusion · support · logic · subheading
Patterned stress and silence
- pacingRate of movement
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- readabilityEase of understanding text
fluidity · movement · tempo · continuity · progression · smoothness
Division of a book
- pacingRate of movement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- voiceSound from throat
tension · beats · storytelling
Ease of understanding text
- comprehensibilityClarity of meaning
- legibilityClearness of text
- simplicityLack of complexity
- concisenessQuality of being brief
explicitness · transparency · intelligibility · accessibility · digestibility
Altering to improve
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- rewritingComposing text anew
- tighteningMaking less loose
- combiningJoining multiple elements
splitting · reorganizing · reworking · clarifying · condensing · expanding · rearranging
indentation
Inward cut or setback
segmentation · separation · spacing · block · demarcation · partitioning · subdivision · whitespace · unit · portion
indentation
Inward cut or setback
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- spacingInterval arrangement between objects
- justificationReason proving rightness
margin · layout · typesetting
unity
Wholeness through cohesion
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- transitionsMovements between states
- linkingForming a connection
connectives · flow · continuity · sequencing · consistency · interconnection · integration · thread · progression
outline
Summary of key elements
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- frameworkUnderlying support system
development · sequence · argument · evidence · analysis · conclusion · support · logic · subheading · arrangement
rhythm
Patterned stress and silence
readability · fluidity · movement · tempo · continuity · progression · smoothness
chapter
Division of a book
- pacingRate of movement
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
voice · tension · beats · storytelling
readability
Ease of understanding text
- comprehensibilityClarity of meaning
- legibilityClearness of text
- simplicityLack of complexity
conciseness · explicitness · transparency · intelligibility · accessibility · digestibility
revising
Altering to improve
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- rewritingComposing text anew
- tighteningMaking less loose
combining · splitting · reorganizing · reworking · clarifying · condensing · expanding · rearranging
- writing rulespunctuation, capitalization, spelling, apostrophes, commas
- Writing Techniquesmetaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, alliteration
- business writingemails, memos, business writing, reports, letters
- writing stylediction, tone, style, prose, prose style
paragraphingwall of text
Unbroken mass of writing
stream of consciousness · freewriting · rambling · disorganization · formlessness