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Why It Matters
Paragraphs are signposts. They tell the reader "something new is happening here." Proper paragraphing is a basic expectation in the marking criteria, and missing paragraphs will cost marks.
Examples
“New paragraph for new time: "That evening..." / "Three hours later..."”
-- Time shift“New paragraph for new place: "Inside the house..." / "The garden, by contrast..."”
-- Location shift“New paragraph for new speaker: Each line of dialogue gets its own paragraph.”
-- Dialogue rule“New paragraph for new idea: Moving from description to action, or from action to reflection.”
-- Topic shiftIn a 30-minute writing task, aim for 4-5 paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a purpose: (1) Opening/setting the scene, (2) Building up/introducing tension, (3) The key moment/climax, (4) Resolution or aftermath, (5) Reflection/ending. One-sentence paragraphs can be very effective for impact.
Practice Exercises
Try these exercises to practise using purposeful paragraphing in your own writing. Click "Show Suggestions" to see example answers.
1
Plan a 4-paragraph structure for a story titled "The Chase".
Para 1: Setting — calm street, character walking home, no sign of trouble. Para 2: Build-up — footsteps behind, quickening pace, looking over shoulder. Para 3: Chase — running, breathless, streets blurring, heart pounding. Para 4: Resolution — reaching home, slamming the door, realising it was just a friend trying to return a dropped phone.
Quick Summary
4 included
1 to try
Related Techniques
Powerful Openings
Starting your story or description in a way that immediately grabs the reader's attention.
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Reflection and Circular Endings
Ending a story by reflecting on what has happened, what has been learned, or by circling back to an image or idea from the beginning.
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Pacing and Slow-Motion Writing
Controlling the speed of your narrative — slowing down at key moments for drama, speeding up when action is happening fast.
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