Anyone can write a paragraph, but not everyone knows how to write one that other people want to read.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve seen it:<\/p>\n
You open a book, and the whole page is one long block of text.<\/p>\n
Each sentence in the paragraph makes exactly the same point, said in a slightly different way, and you wonder why they didn\u2019t just say it once and be done with it.<\/p>\n
Every paragraph is the same length (five lines, maybe?), whether it makes sense or not, and it gives the piece a monotonous rhythm.<\/p>\n
The paragraph makes a point without telling you why that point is important, and you can\u2019t help thinking, \u201cSo what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Like a little island, the paragraph doesn\u2019t connect to any ideas that came before it or after it, and it seems vaguely out of place.<\/p>\n
We all hate paragraphs that make these mistakes. Those of us who are in the National Society of Writing Snobs (raise your hand, if you\u2019re a member) even get a weird sort of thrill from pointing them out.<\/p>\n
Yet, somehow, they keep showing up.<\/p>\n
Not just in the work of third graders, but in the writing of people who call themselves professionals, including yours truly.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss in the movie What about Bob? \u2014 every time you think they\u2019re gone, you open the door, and there they are again, grinning and happy to see you.
\nThe question is: what are you going to do about it?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s okay to write a bad paragraph, but publishing one will only endanger your bond with your readers. Before showing your writing to anyone, you should always go back through and check your paragraphs to make sure they are in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n
Here are some questions to guide you:<\/p>\n
1. Does it pass the Guy Kawasaki test?<\/p>\n
You know how we all have blogging mentors who we look up to?<\/p>\n
Well, Guy Kawasaki is one of mine. Three years ago, he wrote a post passing on some of his blogging wisdom, and one of his pieces of advice stuck with me:<\/p>\n
. . . Imagine that there\u2019s a little man sitting on your shoulder reading what you\u2019re writing. Every time you write an entry, he says, \u201cSo what? Who gives a shiitake?\u201d If you can\u2019t answer the little man, then you don\u2019t have a good blog\/product.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s true. Every time you write a paragraph, stop for a moment and see if it passes the \u201cWho gives a shiitake?\u201d test. If you don\u2019t have a good answer, then delete your paragraph and start over. Babies are adorable. Two-headed babies, on the other hand, are something you would see on the cover of National Enquirer. It\u2019s just . . . wrong.<\/p>\n Paragraphs work the same way.<\/p>\n A good paragraph has one head. In other words, it has one point, one idea, and all of its sentences work together to support that one idea. Do it right, and it\u2019s adorable in its simplicity.<\/p>\n If you try to stuff more than one idea into a paragraph, however, you\u2019ll transform it into a monster. Grown men will shy away from it. Small children will burst into tears. English teachers will clutch their chests and fall over dead.<\/p>\n Okay, maybe not. But you will confuse readers, and that\u2019s serious business. Don\u2019t do it.<\/p>\n 3. Is there an echo in here?<\/p>\n Some writers have what I call an \u201cEcho Problem.\u201d<\/p>\n They start with an idea, and then every sentence in the paragraph echoes the same idea, although in a slightly different way. For example:<\/p>\n I hate green beans. Every time I think of them, I feel nauseous. Green beans are the absolute worst. If you put any green beans on my plate, I won\u2019t eat them.<\/em><\/p>\n This paragraph only has one idea: I hate green beans. Every sentence in the paragraph just echos the same idea. They\u2019re unnecessary.<\/p>\n When you write a paragraph like this, it feels like you\u2019re expounding on your original point. But you\u2019re not. All you\u2019re really doing is adding fluff and boring the reader.<\/p>\n A good rule of thumb is to read every sentence in your paragraph and ask yourself, \u201cCould I remove any of these sentences and retain the same meaning?\u201d If you can, then by all means, get rid of them. It\u2019ll make your writing tighter. Ever listened to a speech, and the speaker used exactly the same vocal inflection from beginning to end?<\/p>\n It\u2019s annoying, and it\u2019s not just because humans are predisposed toward rhythmic language. When we\u2019re listening, we also depend on the speaker to use vocal inflections to tell us what\u2019s important. For instance, if they\u2019re speaking quickly and then suddenly start drawing out their words, we know to pay attention. The change in inflection means something important is happening.<\/p>\n Makes sense, right? But did you know it\u2019s also possible for your writing to be a monotone?<\/p>\n Paragraphs are the vocal inflections of the written word. Good writers vary the length of their paragraphs to show the reader what\u2019s important. Some paragraphs will be 3-5 sentences, but every once in a while, they\u2019ll throw in a one-sentence paragraph in order to emphasize a particular point. It stands out, and it tells the reader to pay attention.<\/p>\n Try it for yourself. So far, we\u2019ve talked about the paragraph (singular), but it\u2019s time we dedicate some time to paragraphs (plural).<\/p>\n Lots of beginning writers treat paragraphs like little islands unto themselves, floating in the great ocean of ideas without any connection to anyone or anything. It\u2019s jarring. Sometimes you can see how the paragraphs relate to one another, but sometimes you\u2019re also left scratching your head.<\/p>\n It\u2019s far better to look at paragraphs as if they are towns along a highway. Yes, they are separate, but they also have on-ramps and off-ramps that make it easy for people to get back on the highway and get to where they\u2019re going. Similarly, good paragraphs use connector words and grammar to help the reader move on to the next idea.<\/p>\n We could do a whole post on this topic (and probably will, in the future), but the best rule of thumb is to look at each of your paragraphs and see if it\u2019s possible to understand them without reading any of the others. If it is, think about adding some connecting on-ramps and off-ramps. It\u2019ll make your writing more readable.<\/p>\n Are these rules that you must follow?<\/p>\n No, they\u2019re just guidelines.<\/p>\n The point is to consciously think about your paragraphs and the way they affect your readers. Next to sexy topics like headlines, link building, and SEO, it\u2019s easy to forget about them.<\/p>\n But don\u2019t. Like most things, it\u2019s the little nuances of your writing that add up to create a profound impact on the reader. Your paragraphs are one of those nuances, and if you\u2019re serious about your writing, it\u2019s important to learn how to use them.<\/p>\n About the Author: Jon Morrow is Associate Editor of Copyblogger and Cofounder of Partnering Profits. Get more from Jon on twitter.\u00a0 Original article with all the cool links at The Art Of The Paragraph.<\/a><\/p>\n In case the FTC is wondering<\/span><\/a>, I am not endorsing anyone.<\/p>\n LISTEN FREE<\/span>: Re-Program Your Eating Habits<\/a>
\n2. Is it a two-headed baby?<\/p>\n
\n4. Are you writing in a monotone?<\/p>\n
\n5. Are there on-ramps and off-ramps?<\/p>\n![\"Add](\"http:\/\/static.technorati.com\/pix\/fave\/tech-fav-1.png\")
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