If you picked up a book and glanced at the page you’ve just
read, you’d probably replace it on the shelf. Sentences have
to be grouped together inparagraphs, which are indented at
the beginning so the page looks more ‘reader friendly’.
Deciding on a topic sentence
Paragraphs can vary in length but each paragraph deals
with one topic. Within the group of sentences there should
usually be atopic sentence. This is the main sentence and the
content is expanded in the rest of the paragraph.
The positioning of the topic sentence can vary. In the follow-
ing example the topic sentence, which is underlined, opens
the paragraph. It introduces the letter and the following
sentences are all related to it. Thefirstparagraph is not
usually indented.
Stark white and threatening, the letter lay on the brown
door mat. I stared at it; my body became rigid. Although
I hadn’t seen it for years, I’d have recognised my sister’s
handwriting anywhere. Why was she writing to me now?In the next example, which is the second paragraph of the
original passage, the opening sentences build up to the final
opening of the letter in the last sentence. In this case the
topic sentence, underlined, comes last. The following para-
graphs are all indented.
Forcing my reluctant knees to bend, I stooped down
and picked it up. Holding it as carefully as if it contained
a time bomb, I carried it to the kitchen and dropped it
on the table. Then, turning my back on it, I picked up44 / PART ONE: THE BASICS