Organising Writing into Paragraphs
Organise writing into paragraphs, grouping related material around a theme, and use simple organisational devices such as headings and sub-headings in non-narrative writing
What a learner can do afterwards
- Divide a piece of writing into paragraphs, each focused on one main idea or aspect of the topic
- Use headings and sub-headings to organise a non-fiction text (e.g., a report about animals with sections 'Habitat', 'Diet', 'Appearance')
- Identify where a new paragraph should begin in a given text and explain why (e.g., 'A new paragraph starts here because the topic changes from appearance to diet')
The lesson
A paragraph is a group of sentences that all talk about the same idea. When your writing moves on to a new idea, that is your signal to start a new paragraph.
Zara is writing a report about lions. Her first paragraph tells where lions live. Her second paragraph tells what lions eat. Her third paragraph tells what lions look like. Each paragraph sticks to just one part of the topic.
Headings and sub-headings work like signposts. A report about animals might use headings such as Habitat, Diet, and Appearance, so a reader can find the part they want fast.
Before you start a new paragraph, ask yourself if you are still talking about the same idea. If the answer is no, start a new paragraph, and maybe a new heading too.
One idea per paragraph, and headings guide your reader through the rest.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.