1. What is a Paragraph? A group of sentences with a common theme
A natural division in writing
A very important feature of good style
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

2. When do we start a new Paragraph?
To introduce a new idea
To introduce a change of time or place
When somebody says something
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

3. How many sentences are there in a paragraph?
Usually more than one
There are often about four or five
There are no strict rules
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

4. Where will I see paragraphs?
In newspapers
In magazines
In letters
In stories
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

5. Why are Paragraphs important?
They make text look good
Paragraphs show care has been taken on presentation
They make text easier to understand because the main points can be picked out more easily
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

6. How can I link paragraphs?
By using linking words and phrases
To show contrast – on the other hand
To show agreement – also
To add ideas to – as well as, in addition
To show chronological order – firstly, after that, later, then
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

7. Look at these two pieces of writing. Which one is set out in paragraphs?
When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker. After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around. Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress!
When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker.
After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around.
Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress!
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

8. Look at the piece more carefully.
What helped you to decide that it contained paragraphs?
When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker.
After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around.
Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress!
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

9. What helped me to decide?
When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker.
After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around.
Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress!
These words
‘When’
‘After’
‘Now’
The indentation
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

10. You can now practice Writing text using paragraphs
Writing letters using paragraphs
Use linking words in paragraphs
Picking out the most important points in paragraphs
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

11. Your tutor will give you more practice in writing paragraphs
Well Done!
You have worked hard
Your tutor will give you more practice in writing paragraphs
You should be able to pick out paragraphs when you are reading the newspapers or magazines
Try it for yourself
Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire April 2006.
Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs
Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate