JEFFERSON LAB SEARCH

Just as the sentences in a good paragraph connect to create a train of thought, paragraphs themselves should flow together to create the train of thought for whatever it is you are writing. From introduction to body to conclusion, paragraphs are key. “Paragraphing” well is all about moving your reader’s attention smoothly from one paragraph to the next.

Incorporating smooth transitions, or segues, between your paragraphs comes down to two methods. The first method is using key words in the start of the paragraph (or toward the beginning) that shape the reader’s expectations for what comes next. For example: Instead of “Several proposals came through...,” try starting your paragraph with “In the first proposal...” Delegating your discussion items into their own paragraphs not only directs your reader’s attention but organizes your own thoughts.

The paragraph above did this by mentioning two transition methods but only discussing one. The second method is to feature key words in the concluding line of a paragraph to set up what comes next. A paragraph on IT updates might mention “...which brings up implications for cybersecurity,” in the concluding sentence. The next paragraph can then jump right into discussing those implications.

Contact Dave Bounds at x2859 with any questions. Happy writing!

Writing usually involves a lot of shaping and rearranging sentences. If one sentence is too long, awkwardly worded, or just “off,” it can distract readers. Assessing the way sentences are structured is essential to improving your writing skills.

No matter the sentence, it always come down to the subject and the verb. For example: “She wrote.” Anything outside of this sentence just concerns the details. To expand on the example: “She wrote an assessment of the initial efforts of the new program, which began in FY 2021.” In that sentence, the subject remains “she” and the action remains “wrote.” The rest pertains to what she wrote about. To make this flow better, we could break the sentence in two: “She wrote an assessment of the program. The initial efforts began in FY 2021.”

Which is easier to read? The longer sentence or the two shorter sentences? How would you restructure sentences in your own writing to allow for better flow and focus?

Maintaining a subject/verb can ease the stress that comes with finding places to put the extra details. The subject/verb focus is key to creating compelling sentences.

Contact Dave Bounds at x2859 with any questions. Happy writing!