Paragraphs

To help users browse through content more effectively and make your topics clearer, follow the next guidelines when writing paragraphs.

Paragraphs Tip

Before you start working with a topic, answer the following questions:

  • What are the key points you want to make?
  • How do these key points relate with each other?
  • Are there any auxiliary points that you can add to the topic to supplement your key points?

One Idea per Paragraph

Build each paragraph around one key point and describe the point within the first 2 sentences. The rest of the paragraph must deal with describing and extending that key point.

Users often run through topics by reading the first sentence of each paragraph. So, if you cover only one idea per paragraph, you help readers quickly get to the point and choose whether to read the rest of the paragraph or not.

Explicit Paragraph Structure

The first 2 paragraphs in each topic must state the most important information. The introductory paragraph (that is, the topic sentence) must be followed by paragraphs that contain essential details explaining your overall topic. After that, add general information and whatever secondary details you consider helpful.

Build each paragraph based on the following structure:

  1. Introduce an idea in a topic sentence and make it as clear as possible. Do not overload the idea with unnecessary details.

For more information on topic sentences, see the YourDictionary online reference, section Examples of Topic Sentences.

  1. Develop the idea, explain it, provide details, examples and so on.
  2. Add conclusion or transition to a new idea in the next paragraph.

 

Paragraph Structure

For more information on how to build paragraphs, see the Purdue Online Writing Lab resources, section On Paragraphs.

Limited Paragraph Length

Keep the number of sentences in each paragraph between 3 and 5. Paragraphs should be no longer than 40–70 words and no more than 5 lines.

Limited Number of Paragraphs

If there are more than 5 or 6 sequential paragraphs in a topic, consider restructuring the topic and creating several subtopics.

Paragraphs Tip

After you finish working with a topic, answer the following questions:

  • How does everything fit together?
  • Are the paragraphs in the correct order?
  • Could you rearrange some paragraphs to enhance the readability of the topic?

ParagraphsExample

To guarantee the recoverability of your data, Veeam Backup & Replication complements the SureBackup recovery verification technology with SureReplica. [key point; transition]

SureReplica is in many respects similar to SureBackup recovery verification. It lets you validate your DR environment without impacting the production infrastructure. You can automatically verify every created restore point of every VM replica and ensure that they are functioning as expected. [essential details; transition]

The SureReplica technology is not limited only to VM replica verification. Just like SureBackup, it provides the following capabilities: [additional info]

  • SureReplica — automated VM replica verification
  • On-Demand Sandbox — an isolated environment for testing VM replicas, training and troubleshooting
  • U-AIR — recovery of individual items from applications running on VM replicas