Premise

The basic rule with paragraphing is to keep one idea to one paragraph. If you begin to introduce a new idea (even specific sub-points), it probably belongs in a new paragraph. There are some simple ways to tell if you might want to move onto a new paragraph:

• If your initial point starts to get too long (typically paragraphs more than half a page double space should be questioned—although this identification does depend upon other factors, like the genre expectations within any given form).
• If you find yourself offering specific examples that explain further points of analysis in addition or elaboration to the earlier claim of what your paragraph is trying to prove.
• If you feel as if the points in your paragraph are unclear. This could be a sign that you simply need to clarify the main idea. But again, the fact that there might actually be multiple “points” here worth expanding upon should be considered! Sometimes we try to squeeze too much in a single paragraph at the expense of elaborating on the individual ideas that need more space.

In any of these cases, you don’t necessarily want to cut this further information—but rather consider giving these ideas their own paragraphs.

Examples

A transition is the first sentence (or sentences) in a paragraph that identifies to your reader why we are moving onto the following point in the paragraph to come. There should be an inherent understanding by your reader as to why we are transitioning to the point that we are now. For example:

Radar might be the most effective technology that these businesses are considering implementing, but it’s not the only one. In fact, sonar has recently been proposed as a supplement to address some crucial safety concerns.

This is a strong transition because it’s clear that “radar” was probably the first notable, most relevant, or more obvious example (i.e. in from the previous paragraph). But now “sonar” is a newer development as a specified “supplement” that also warrants identifying and discussing—even if it’s not the primary focus (hence appearing as a second paragraph). This explanation here isn’t all directly provided within this transition, but it is implied by the detail and positioning of ideas in relation to each other (and the corresponding paragraphs’ content).

A “weak” transition might just say something more like: “Sonar has also recently been considered by these businesses” But a reader might wonder: why is this the case? Why are we looking at this example here and now? Why wasn’t sonar mentioned first instead of radar? Is it as important as radar? Less? In some ways? This topic sentence, therefore, potentially raises more questions than it answers!

Let’s take a look at another example—which version seems clearer?

Abductive reasoning typically begins with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the set.

Or

While this method of reasoning indeed seems like the most logical (or at the very least, the most common), it would be foolish not to consider the efficacy of other modes depending upon the situation. Less commonly used, but still worth considering for specific cases, is the process of abductive reasoning.

The first example isn’t terrible. It does give us a clear indication of the subject matter of the paragraph to come, but the context needs to be clear for your reader. The second example does a much clearer job explaining where we are going by acknowledging the previous point and identifying why we’re moving on to the next one. Again, you don’t always have to explicitly reference what content came before, but the reason for why we are moving on to the content in this new paragraph should be obvious to your audience.

As such, if you think the context is clear for your audience, then it’s all good. But it is a question that you (and only you) genuinely can ask and answer!

Further Considerations

Some further advice on how you can identify when you should start a new paragraph:

• When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs—again, even if they are supporting points to an initial main claim! If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph (imagine an outline with subpoints). The same goes for analyzing further effects sometimes—even if the example being analyzed is the same, but we are now focusing on another aspect.
• To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other noteworthy difference. For example, you very well may have multiple paragraphs within a counter-argument section. The transitions would then identify why we are ordering these counter-points in the manner that we are.
• When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs can also effectively function as a short “break” for your readers. Adding these in will help your writing be more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is particularly complex so that your reader can pause to process the initial premise of a section’s idea before moving onto the next (new or sub-point).