Paragraph Length in Compositions and Reports

In composition, technical writing, and online writing, the term paragraph length refers to the number of sentences in a paragraph and the number of words in those sentences. There is no set or correct length for a paragraph. As discussed below, conventions about appropriate length vary from one form of writing to another and depend on various factors, including medium, topic, audience, and purpose. Simply put, a paragraph  should be as long or as short as it needs to be to develop a main idea.  As  Barry J. Rosenberg  says, Some paragraphs should weigh a skimpy two or three sentences, while others should weigh a robust seven or eight sentences. Both weights are equally healthy (Spring Into Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists, 2005).   See Examples and Observations below. Also, see: The Invisible Mark of Punctuation: The Paragraph BreakCoherence and CohesionDevelopmentParagraph Break  and  ParagraphingSentence LengthUnity Examples and Observations Paragraph lengths, like sentence lengths, give an essay a kind of rhythm that readers can feel but that is hard to talk about . . .. A very short paragraph can be just the right kind of pause following a long and complex one. Or a series of paragraphs of about the same length can give the reader a very satisfying feeling of balance and proportion.(Diana Hacker and Betty Renshaw, Writing With a Voice, 2nd ed. Scott, Foresman, 1989)Paragraph Length in EssaysThere is no set rule about paragraph length. They can be long or short ..., though do note that both the shortest and the longest are rare and you should take care in their use. What works best is usually a mixture of longer and shorter paragraphs within the middle range. Aim to vary length rather than look for a set formula. . . . [A] paragraph [that] contains . . . 150 words . . . is probably about average for what would most often be used in an essay.(Jacqueline Connelly and Patrick Forsyth, Essay Writing Skills: Essential Techni ques to Gain Top Marks. Kogan Page Ltd., 2011)Dividing a Long Paragraph[S]ometimes you may discover that a particular point in your essay is so complex that your paragraph is growing far too long—well over a typed page, for instance. If this problem occurs, look for a logical place to divide your information and start a new paragraph. For example, you might see a convenient dividing point in a series of actions youre describing or a break in the chronology of a narrative or between explanations of arguments or examples. Just make sure you begin your next paragraph with some sort of transitional phrase or key words to let the reader know that you are still discussing the same point as before (Still another problem caused by the computers faulty memory circuit is . . .).(Jean Wyrick, Steps to Writing Well With Additional Readings, 8th ed. Wadsworth, 2011)Paragraph Length in Academic WritingParagraphs give readers a sense of where one unit ends and another begins, a sense of how the argument develops by moving from one topic to another. . . . Paragraphs let the reader digest one idea at a time without becoming overwhelmed.In modern academic writing, paragraphs are usually less than a page in length. But its rare to find many short paragraphs (of, say, less than four lines) in a row. A typical paragraph is roughly ten to twenty lines in length. But there will be variety. Short paragraphs are sometimes needed for other purposes besides laying out a component of the argument. For example, a transitional paragraph might be needed at a certain point in order to sum up all thats been established so far and to hint at where the argument will go from here.And sometimes short paragraphs can simply underscore a point.(Matthew Parfitt, Writing in Response. Bedford/St. Martins 2012)Paragraph Length in Business and Technical WritingQuantifying paragraph length is difficult, but in business and technical writing, paragraphs exceeding 100 to 125 words should be rare. Mos t paragraphs will consist of three to six sentences. If a single-spaced paragraph goes beyond one-third of a page, it is probably too long. A double-spaced paragraph should not exceed half a page in length.The documents format should influence paragraph length. If a document has narrow columns (two to three to the page), then paragraphs should be shorter, perhaps on the average of no more than 50 words. If a document uses a full-page format (one column), then average paragraph length can reach 125 words.Length is therefore a function of appearance and visual relief.(Stephen R. Covey, Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication, 5th ed. FT Press and Pearson Education, 2012)Paragraph Length in Online WritingIf the statistics are to be believed, by the end of this sentence, I’ll have lost most of you. Because according to some estimates, the average time spent on a webpage is 15 seconds. . .And so webmasters worldwide have launched an emergency austerity programme, prun ing, paring, compacting everything possible in a frantic attempt to spare our readers a few precious seconds. . . .The most obvious casualty of this economy drive is the venerable paragraph. . . .The internet . . . has exerted further downward pressure on paragraph length. Reading on a laptop screen or phone is slower and more fatiguing, and it’s harder to keep your place; inserting regular, clear breaks (complete lines rather than indentations) is one way to create a smoother reading experience.None of this is in dispute. But consider  this recent piece on the BBC website. With two exceptions, all the paragraphs in this story consist of precisely one sentence. . . .[O]ne reason, and one reason alone, is sufficient to justify the Save the Paragraph Campaign. Time was, when you came across a paragraph of one sentence, you knew it contained powerful stuff (in the writer’s view, at least). A short paragraph, coming after many long ones, could deliver a real punch.(Andy Bodle, Breaking Point: Is the Writing on the Wall for the Paragraph?. The Guardian, May 22, 2015)One-Sentence ParagraphsOccasionally, a one-sentence paragraph is acceptable if it is used as a transition between longer paragraphs or as a one-sentence introduction or conclusion in correspondence.(Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu, The Business Writers Handbook, 10th ed. Bedford/St. Martins, 2012)Paragraph Length and ToneHow long is a paragraph?As short as that.Shorter.Or as long as it needs to be to cover a subject. . . .But there is a complication. Writing that aims to be inviting, like the writing in newspapers, popular magazines and books, uses shorter paragraphs than more ambitious and profound writing. New paragraphs are begun before a topic is exhausted.Anytime.For no reason at all.Because each new paragraph lightens the tone, encourages readers, offers a foothold down the page.When paragraphs are short, writing does seem easier. Less happily, it also seems disjointed and superficial—as though the writer cant concentrate on a subject.Thus paragraphing, like so much else, is a matter of tone. You want to have a proper paragraph length for your subject, your audience, and your degree of seriousness (or frivolity).(Bill Stott, Write to the Point. Anchor Press, 1984)

Argumentative Essay About Fast Food Industry - 1359 Words

The world economy has become fast-paced, and this has forced people to transform their lifestyle in order to adapt to the changing pace. Family structures have evolved drastically with modern mothers having outside careers rather than being housewives. Granted such mothers get out of work worn out with little strength to prepare a proper meal for the family. They often opt for an easier way of preparing a meal for their families. This is the foundation for the thriving of the fast food industry. A number of nations have been transformed to fast food nation with American society being on the lead followed by Britain. American hosts the largest fast food industry in the world with outlets in over 200 foreign nations. With conveniences around†¦show more content†¦Global influences of the fast food industry are shown in the health problems in society today. The cheap production of meat and grains for the fast food industry cause harm to the environment, humans, and animals. The fast food that is consumed is not only bad for the health of people but also for the environment. As food provides more than just sustenance; it increasingly has come to shape and mediate our understanding of ourselves and our culture. The fast food industry has been growing dramatically during the last few years. For this reason, we should try to find out what are the several factors why fast food consumption keeps growing among young people and adults. Therefore, as we have seen, the popularity of fast food is spreading rapidly among many people due to the following three main reasons: good taste, convenient time, and price. Personally, working for a fast food restaurant for a brief moment in my life, I can attest to this. Marketing also plays a big part to more people eating fast food. It’s in our culture in America to expect fast food companies to market and strategize their ways to make us, the consumers, to buy more food and consume more food so they can make more profit. Especially now with commercials and social media. The fast food industry has thrived in the modern era. It’s thriving so much, the industry is growing faster than the U.S economy, atShow MoreRelatedArgumentative Essays About Ob esity1560 Words   |  7 Pagesfor looking at arguments relating to the fast food industry is Super-Size me that documentary, that might give you some more ideas about arguments, to look into some of the issues that Morgan Spurlock touches on, (size of food portions, advertising, health related problems of obesity, etc..) Obesity in AmericaWhen people think about health what usually comes up is cancer, or some kind of disease that will hold you back. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there thatRead MoreWriters Reflection Essay1463 Words   |  6 Pageshigh school years writing essays became more complex. For some reason I couldn’t seem to fully understand the different techniques you need in order to write a successful essay. English 49 being my first English college class was at first a bit overwhelming. I felt somewhat intimidated. I thought I didn’t had thev enough knowledge to write a good essay, because of the fact that I didn’t felt like I learned much in high school on how to incorporate good essay writing skills. On theRead MoreShhh Essay2170 Words   |  9 PagesJune 13th Percentage of Final Grade: 10% Objective: Write a summary of Crystal’s essay â€Å"2B or not 2B.† Use a template from They Say, I Say to begin your summary. Make appropriate rhetorical â€Å"moves,† such as integrating quotes, choosing strong verbs, and using effective transitions. Most importantly, demonstrate that you understand the what, how, and why: (1) What is the main argument or â€Å"gist† of Crystal’s essay? (2) How does Crystal develop/ support/ illustrate this argument? (3) Why, accordingRead MoreEssay Smoking Tobacco Smoking811 Words   |  4 Pagesyouths addicted to smoking and other tobacco products. (Buenavista, 2001). Smo Premium 9375 Words 38 Pages Argumentative Essay on Cigarette Smoking â€Å"Cigarette smoking in the Philippines should be banned because it poses a great threat to the health of the family members† Argumentative essay I. Introduction A. It has been an increasing concern about the effects of smoking in the family. B. Cigarette smoking not only affects Premium 1802 Words 8 Pages ResearchRead MoreSummary Of Nestles The Supermarket : Prime Real Estate1255 Words   |  6 Pagesheinous forms of advertisement in her essay, â€Å"The Supermarket: Prime Real Estate.† Nestle uses several persuasive techniques to convince her audience of the evils of supermarkets. Her use of emotionally charged phrases paired with her more logical assertions help to drive her point home while her clear bias and lack of supportive source detract from her overall argument Nestle launches into her essay and in the very first paragraph she is telling the reader all about how supermarkets manipulate theirRead MoreObesity Is An Out Of Control Epidemic2225 Words   |  9 Pagescountries. Fast food restaurants are one of the main causes due to the unhealthy, addictive food it provides to its customers. Since fast food franchises have been expanding at such a rapid rate, it now makes it harder to live a healthy dietary lifestyle. Fast food has affected many societies in positive and negative ways. Its innovation prolonged these effects and may be worse to certain societies from a health and social standpoint. Due to the increase in popularity of the fast food norm, obesityRead MoreEating Disorders and Free Essays8687 Words   |  35 Pagesï » ¿2 = 2 dfhnmxpd h Free Essays Home | Search Essays | FAQ | Guarantees | Privacy | Lost Essay? | Contact Search Results eating disorder Free Essays Unrated Essays Better Essays Stronger Essays Powerful Essays Term Papers Research Papers Search by keyword: Sort By: Your search returned over 400 essays for eating disorder. To narrow your search results, please add more search terms to your query. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [Next ] These results are sorted by most relevantRead More The Controversy of Deforestation Essay2601 Words   |  11 Pagesthat alter a forest, these are the most common. This argumentative essay discusses the positive and negative aspects of deforestation. In the first part of the essay the pro arguments of deforestation will be discussed. For example, the issue of Global population and how forests are being used, land use and the ways forests contribute, wood use, forest growth, destruction and the reasons for cutting down the trees. The second half of the essay will cover the issues that are harmful to the environmentRead More The Time Machine Essay2591 Words   |  11 Pagescontrovert one or two ideas that are almost universally accepted. The geometry, for instance, they taught you at school is founded on a misconception.’ ‘Is that not rather a large thing to expect us to begin upon?’ said Filby, an argumentative person with red hair. ‘I do not mean to ask you to accept anything without reasonable ground for it. You will soon admit as much as I need from you. You know of course that a mathematical line, a line of thickness nilRead MoreFor Against by L.G. Alexander31987 Words   |  128 PagesBy the same author SIXTY STEPS TO PRECIS POETRY AND PROSE APPRECIATION ESSAY AND LEITER ·WRITING A FIRST BOOK IN COMPREHENSION PRECIS AND COMPOSITION ras CARTERS OF GREENWOOD (Cineloops) DETECTIVES FROM SCOTLAND YARD (Longman Structural Readers, Stage 1) CAR THIEVES [Longman Structural Readers, Stage 1) WORTH A FORTUNE [Longman Structural Readers, Stage 2) APRIL FOOLS DAY [Longman Structural Readers, Stage 2) PROFESSOR BOFFIN S UMBRELLA (Longman Structural Readers, Stage 2) OPERATION MASfERMIND

No Ordinary Girl free essay sample

Ive been sitting at my computer for a good 2 hours dreading the fact that I have to write a page or so, describing my academic goals and objectives or on a subject of personal choice, which could ultimately seal my fate in my college acceptance. Ive spent most of my time reading through numerous college essays figuring out how I was going to come up with something that would separate me from thousands of applicants or even something remotely as good as the essays that I read. Let me start out by saying that I am an ordinary girl who lives in an extraordinary world. I have a great family who may not be picture perfect, but they have molded me into the successful young women that I am today. I owe a lot to not only them, but also to my friends, specifically my best friend who has been my shoulder to lean on through the ups and downs of my life. We will write a custom essay sample on No Ordinary Girl or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I owe most of everything that I have become to them. Ever sense I was in kindergarten, I have always know what I wanted to be when I grew up. For me it wasnt to be one of the Backstreet Boys girlfriends, a model, and not even a super star. It was to be a teacher. My passion for children has only gotten stronger thru the years. I want to be a positive role model in there life, and help each one of them to be a successful member of society one day. I believe that they, like my peers and I are now, are the building blocks to the future. Our whole existence will one day lie in there hands, and to be a little piece of that is what I have been waiting for my whole life. I guess I should have started by introducing myself, but theirs no time like the present. My name is Chelsea Collins. I am an intelligent, funny, and unique person. I am nothing other than myself. My whole life I have always strived to be somebody differentsomebody special. But after 18 years of life and 2 hours of writing this essay I have realized that I was striving for something that I had accomplished at birth and that I am no ordinary girl. There is no other Chelsea Collins on this earth who is just like me. Out of billions of people I somehow shine through as an individual. And if you give me the honor of accepting me to your school, I can promise you that I wont let you down.

Scene anylasis Fifth element Essay Example

Scene anylasis Fifth element Essay The movie opens with a shot of what appears as the viewer flying through an asteroid belt, then the name of the movie is revealed, cutting to the viewer hovering in space with a blue and white planet being visible above. The camera pans and rotates and an alien spaceship slowly inches itself onto the scene. We as the viewer are immediately aware that the movie that we are about to watch is based In science fiction. But looking closer, the ship that enters the frame, looks run down, ancient, almost biological, and Its making Its way towards what appears to be earth. An asteroid flickers through the black night sky backdrop, shimmering with stars, and the camera pans down towards the planet. Split seconds later we discover that the planet is, in fact, earth, and that we are in Egypt in the year 1914. Immediately we have a Juxtaposition of the old and new, the ancient mystical element and the futuristic science fiction that we were presented with moments ago. The scene continues to show a small child. No more than 10. Riding in on a donkey towards what appears to be some sort of mountain cave. This is an example of emanation speech ND dietetic sound. As the child approaches they begin to understand that it is in fact an archeological site being uncovered, something like a temple or shrine. He is greeted by other children shouting out to him. The shouting is in, what I assume is Egyptian, however it does not matter, the mannerisms of the children give us the context of what Is happening, they appear to be shouting for the kid to give them something, they are walling and you, the viewer, begin to understand that the kid riding the donkey is some sort of currier. We will write a custom essay sample on Scene anylasis Fifth element specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Scene anylasis Fifth element specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Scene anylasis Fifth element specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The kid dismounts, runs up the slanted Atari of the temple, he is beset by the other children and they manage to take from him something like a gourd, or old hide skin drinking sack. The kid runs into the cave like temple structure, passes between some columns of ancient Egyptian design, and peeks around a corner to find a man who Is examining the wall, with another man sitting In a chair, writing something. The boy uses textural speech by calling out to Aziza who is another kid who uses a large golden or brass platter to hold himself up as he appears to be asleep, counterbalancing his weight with that of the large platter. The scene shifts to the man studying the wall, and he shout to Aziza to produce light, the kid is startled awake, and we see that the platter Is using the reflection of the sun to produce light on the wall. The man sitting In the chair marks another line for what appears to be a how many times Aziza get the man examining the wall and explaining what he believes it means. We now see that he is examining symbols and hieroglyphs on the wall, he is telling Billy, whom we now assume is his assistant to make sure and draw and record their find. Billy, appearing boarded, dismisses the man and continues to draw a sailboat instead. The scene continues with an ominous hooded figure approaching behind the kid carrying the hide drinking sack, he grabs him by the shoulder startling the child. The ominous hooded man exclaims that the kid has brought the water, praises him, and sends him off on his way with gods blessings. The kid runs out and we begin to assume that this ominous hooded figure is more akin to some kind of religious priest rather than the ominous figure we thought of him mere seconds ago. The scene shifts back to the man examining the wall, whom we can now safely say s an archeologist or scholar studying ancient temples and hieroglyphs. The archeologist uses theatrical speech to explain that the symbols represent groups of people gathering around what appear to be columns of elements, fire, water, wind, and earth, and he goes on the explain that the people and elements are further gathered around one singularity in the middle, the fifth element, the supreme being. Hearing this we switch back to the priest in the hood, he pulls out a vial, asking the lord for forgives as they already know too much. Then the priest drops the vial on the lour this created scansion sound as it made known that it shattered on the hard stone floor. The feeling shifts back to us believing that this priest, is in fact, up to no good. After pouring the liquid from the vial into the hide drinking sack the hooded priest steps out from behind the pillars and makes himself visible. Again we dont know what to think as he is greeted with pleasantries from both the archeologist and Billy the assistant. They both obviously hold the hooded man in high regard and see him as a religious person calling him Father. The hooded priest approaches looking ere nervous, he is greeted by the excited archeologist who is telling him that they have found what could be the most important find in human history. In the background the indication music set a suspicious tone for the scene. Then the father nervously pours them drinks of water, looking very nervous, this leads us to believe, and among his previous statements that the water has been poisoned by whatever was in the vial he had poured in it. The archeologist continues to grow excited claiming that this find will make him famous, and the priest suggests they toast to the find. As they are about to drink the poisoned water the archeologist abruptly stops, the tension and nervous energy coming from the priest is so palatable you can almost taste it at this point. The archeologist pours the water out and exclaims that water is nothing they can toast to and sends his assistant to fetch graph, which appears to be some sort of champagne or white wine. The mood in the room suddenly switches, you can hear the children laughing and shouting outside, the room begins to dim and quickly grow dark. The pries steps towards the camera with a look of both reverence, fear, and awe exclaims that they re here. The next frame reintroduces the gigantic alien ship, and we begin to understand its size and scale, as it dwarfs the mountain temple cave, the thing is colossal. Billy the assistant has now noticed it and he is cowering in fascination and awe trying to process the sight he is beholding. The archeologist frustrated at the together, shine in from the alien ship into the temple grounds, which illuminate the room tremendously. Pleased with the light the archeologist exclaims much better to witch Aziza is dumbfounded and shocked by, and we are presented with a very amorous scene, that Juxtapositions everything we have seen so far, mysticism, history, science, religion, and of course, the science fiction. Seconds later the space ships bay doors open and several alien creatures begin to disembark, they are slow moving, large, turtle like beings covered in very gritty and old, ancient even, looking armor or space suits. Even though they seem robotic we are not sure what they are at this time, Billy franticly grabs for a pencil and begins sketching what he sees before him. The priest falls to his knees and we now know that he holds some kind of reverence towards these beings. It appears that the beings are mumbling to each other as they are entering the scene then they approach the archeologist who still has not noticed them, as he turns around and finally sees the beings, we are treated with another humorous scene, he asks are you German, to which the being in front of him shakes his head. This scene establishes the sound of the aliens. One of the beings begins to speak with the priest, it exclaims that the priest and those before him, presumably in his order, have served them well, but he states that the stones are no longer safe on earth and that war is coming. We then see another of the alien beings approach the wall that the archeologist was studying, a four pronged key like object protrudes from the beings fingertip and he pushes it into the wall to witch it opens, thus this appears to be a key, a key to opening secret passages in the temple. This scene is very interesting because we are now presented with context, however slight, to who or what these creatures are. They obviously have the key to the temple which means that they have understanding and knowledge of its design. They have either built it, or know the civilization that did, either way we understand that these beings hold some ancient knowledge about humanity and the history of our planet, if not our race. The archeologist is dumbfounded at this point he appears to be in a state of shock, exclaiming that this really is unbelievable, to which the alien creatures seem to signal each other, one of them approaches the archeologist from behind and its eyes glow, causing the archeologist to faint and fall down. This is contradicting because the aliens stated that the earth people have served them well then a few minutes later knocks out the professor unconscious with he glowing eyes. The creatures enter through the door and walk into a sort of chamber, the chamber contains four pillars surrounding one central pillar in a square, the camera zooms in on the central pillar and we begin to make out its shape, it is not a pillar at all but rather in the shape of a man with his mouth open to the sky. The priest upon witnessing the man shaped statue in the center of the chamber exclaims that it is or represents the fifth element, whatever that may be, as we still do not know. One of the aliens tells the others to take the stones, so they approach the four pillars surrounding the chamber and remove long triangular stones, one from each pillar, they place them in a trunk and their business seems to be concluded. The camera again shifts to a now terrified Billy, who quickly pulls out a gun, we can tell that he is highly stressed and scared. A couple of the aliens are seen floating beside them, they presumably take it on to their ship along with the four triangular shaped stones. In the chamber the priest nervously points out to the alien being that if they take the weapon how will we defend ourselves, and by we the rises is presumably talking about the human race. The being goes on to say that in three hundred years, when the evil returns, so shall they, and again the scene switches to a now terrified yet defensive Billy, he Jumps out from behind a wall and points the gun at the alien ship, seeing that this side is clear he runs over to the archeologist and checks to see if he is K, as he examines the now downed man, he the alien being talking to the priest from the corner of his eye. Billy shouts for them not to move and that he has the gun, the priest bravely places himself in between the UN and the alien being, he tries to explain to Billy that he must try to understand, that these beings are not here to hurt them, they are their friends. Billy in his distressed state points out that they have killed the professor, even though he has only been knocked out, there is no reason for us to believe that he has been killed, although upon reviewing the scene several times, it could go both ways, the archeologist may or may not be dead. Either way the priest tries to calm Billy down, the tells him to put the gun down and that he will explain everything, Billy refuses to sites and as he is slowly retreating backwards he stumbles over his bag and accidentally discharges his firearm. Bullets spray the alien being, the being is startled, but not hurt, however the aggression somehow caused the door to start closing, being a slow bulky creature the alien being has no time to get out of the chamber, the priest pleads for the alien being to hurry, the being tells the priest that he must pass on his knowledge to the next generation, the priest once again pleads for the alien creature to hurry, that there is still time, to which the alien being spoons time is not important only life is important. With those final words the alien being sticks out his hand and the key that opened the door protruded from the aliens fingertip, however the rest of the being is presumably crushed by the giant door and we assume that everything aside the key has been crushed. The priest grabs the key and runs out shouting at the departing alien ship, he shouts that he will fulfill his mission and he will pass on his knowledge until the day they return, and with that the aliens take off back into space, and the lengthy intro scene of The Fifth Element ends.