Post by KingHarry on Jan 25, 2018 16:37:51 GMT
I have noticed recently that some younger members do not seem to know how to correctly format paragraphs. We understand that everybody must start somewhere and may not know how to correctly format things straight away, but please do note that we would rather you learn how paragraphs work and follow the rules of them.
The basic rule of paragraphs is that one paragraph is one idea. When your writing moves to a new idea, you make a new paragraph. It is important that you do this in order to break up the text and make it easier to read.
Think about a book you enjoy. How is the writing is in that formatted? You should be trying to aim for something similar.
Paragraphs should change when:
+ You change topic
+ The time chances
+ You move to a new place
+ A new person speaks
+ You want to emphasise drama
So, let's look at an example. This text is the first two paragraphs with Firestar (then Rusty) in from Into the Wild.
Example 1:
It was very dark. Rusty could sense something was near. The young tomcat’s eyes opened wide as he scanned the dense undergrowth. This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows. His stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He opened his jaws slightly to let the warm smells of the forest reach the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a small furry creature. Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him. Rusty stopped still, listening. It was hiding in the leaves less than two tail-lengths away. Rusty knew it was a mouse—he could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart deep within his ear fur. He swallowed, stifling his rumbling stomach. Soon his hunger would be satisfied.
Example 2:
It was very dark.
Rusty could sense something was near.
The young tomcat’s eyes opened wide as he scanned the dense undergrowth.
This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows.
His stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger.
He opened his jaws slightly to let the warm smells of the forest reach the scent glands on the roof of his mouth.
Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a small furry creature.
Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him.
Rusty stopped still, listening.
It was hiding in the leaves less than two tail-lengths away.
Rusty knew it was a mouse—he could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart deep within his ear fur.
He swallowed, stifling his rumbling stomach.
Soon his hunger would be satisfied.
Example 3:
It was very dark. Rusty could sense something was near. The young tomcat’s eyes opened wide as he scanned the dense undergrowth. This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows. His stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He opened his jaws slightly to let the warm smells of the forest reach the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a small furry creature.
Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him. Rusty stopped still, listening. It was hiding in the leaves less than two tail-lengths away. Rusty knew it was a mouse—he could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart deep within his ear fur. He swallowed, stifling his rumbling stomach. Soon his hunger would be satisfied.
All the examples are readable, but do you see how example 3 looks the nicest and is split up in a way that makes reading it easy? Following the rules of paragraphs will make your writing far more appealing to read, which will make people want to write with you more.