Paragraphs are the building blocks of your text. If sentences are the smallest unit, paragraphs are the next to smallest. Using them correctly will make your text easier to read and understand.

• Start a new paragraph either with a line break and an indented first line, or with two line breaks (adding a white space between lines) and no indentation.
• A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. As soon as you are ready to move on to the next idea, start a new paragraph. Avoid writing excessively long paragraphs.

The importance of the paragraph cannot be stressed enough. The paragraph is the cornerstone of essay writing. There are many online resources explaining how to write paragraphs. The following is taken from time4writing.com :

The cardinal rule of paragraph writing is to focus on one idea. A solidly written paragraph takes its readers on a clear path without detours. Master the paragraph, and you’ll be on your way to writing “gold-star” essays, term papers, and stories.

A basic paragraph structure usually consists of five sentences: the topic sentence, three supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. But the secrets to paragraph writing lie in four essential elements, which when used correctly, can make an ‘okay’ paragraph into a great paragraph.

 

1. Element #1: Unity. Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence. Every paragraph has one single, controlling idea that is expressed in its topic sentence, which is typically the first sentence of the paragraph. A paragraph is unified around this main idea, with the supporting sentences providing detail and discussion. In order to write a good topic sentence, think about your theme and all the points you want to make. Decide which point drives the rest, and then write it as your topic sentence.

 

2. Element #2: Order. Order refers to the way you organize your supporting sentences. Whether you choose chronological order, order of importance, or another logical presentation of detail, a solid paragraph always has a definite organization. In a well-ordered paragraph, the reader follows along easily, aided by the pattern you’ve established. Order helps the reader grasp your meaning and avoid confusion.

 

3. Element #3: Coherence. Coherence is the quality that makes your writing understandable. Sentences within a paragraph need to connect to each other and work together as a whole. One of the best ways to achieve coherency is to use transition words. These words create bridges from one sentence to the next. You can use transition words that show order (first, second, third); spatial relationships (above, below) or logic (furthermore, in addition, in fact). Also, in writing a paragraph, using a consistent verb tense and point of view are important ingredients for coherency.

 

4. Element #4: Completeness. Completeness means a paragraph is well developed. If all sentences clearly and sufficiently support the main idea, then your paragraph is complete. If there are not enough sentences or enough information to prove your thesis, then the paragraph is incomplete. … The concluding sentence or last sentence of the paragraph should summarize your main idea by reinforcing your topic sentence.

Shorter papers rarely have subheadings. A thesis, however, not only needs a title, it needs to be subdivided and its individual chapters or sections need headings and subheadings too. Like titles, headings serve a dual purpose; they summarize the chapter or section’s content and at the same time attract readers’ attention. However, they need not be as catchy as your overall title and rarely get a subtitle. Their main goal is to accurately reflect the chapter’s content.

Chapters can and should be subdivided into sections with their own subheading. Subheadings are useful to introduce a new subtopic. They provide structure and increase readability and understandability. Below are a few pointers on subheadings:

• Keep subheadings brief and catchy. Their main function is to reflect the next section’s content.
• Do not include an excessive number of subheadings. Refrain from breaking up your text too much.

Make sure your headings and subheadings are consistent in level and layout. Use bold and/or increase your font size for chapter headings and use italics for subheadings. Word processing programs generally have preprogrammed heading levels that you can simply apply to selected text. Note that in English-language humanities, it is not common to number your sections and subsections. Usually, chapters, section headings and subheadings are distinguished by layout and typesetting.

Preferably, titles and headings should be kept short. Leave out articles and forms of the verb ‘to be’. Be careful, however, about leaving out prepositions as these provide crucial information about the relationship between nouns. In English, when two nouns are juxtaposed, the first is assumed to modify the second. In Dutch, for example, the second noun modifies the first. This is a commonly occurring pitfall for non-native writers of English. Example: a heading stating ‘Indictment Commander’ does not imply that the section below it will be about the indictment of a commander, but that the commander is in charge of indictments. The correct way to head this section would be: ‘Indictment of Commander’.

Sample chapter, section and subsection headings:

A.J. van der Aa: Man of the Hour

(Word, heading 1, chapter level)

Disorganized Memories

(Word, heading 2, section level)

Disorganized Memories

(Word, heading 3, subsection level)

or

Chapter 1  A.J. van der Aa: Man of the Hour
(Arabic numeral, bold, 14 pt)

1.1 Disorganized Memories
(Arabic numeral, bold, italics, 12 pt)

1.1.3 Disorganized Memories
(Arabic numeral, bold, 12 pt)                           

or        

1.1.3 Disorganized Memories
(Arabic numeral, italics, 12 pt)

Note: Numbering sections and subsections is not common in the humanities. It is generally reserved for technical papers and theses. Preferably use typographical means to distinguish headings and subheading (font size, bold, italics).

Body (normal):

In 1835, Van der Aa published his….
(normal, 12 pt, preferably Times New Roman or Arial)

 

Structuring a Chapter

Before you start writing a chapter, it pays to make an outline of the topics you want to cover. Like your thesis as a whole, each chapter needs clear structure and coherence. Keep the following in mind:

• Define what this chapter is about; make sure the period and the topic you select form a good combination.
• Try to limit yourself to one topic.
• Distinguish between main points and subpoints and try to eliminate irrelevancies.
• Make sure there is a coherence between the various sections of your chapter.

Apart from the division into an introductory section and the main body of your text, the body itself needs to be structured logically. Roughly speaking, historians can choose between two organizing principles:

• A chronological structure: your argument develops in pace with your topic’s development over time.
• A thematic structure: you divide your topic into themes, which you then discuss consecutively.

In fact it is advisable to combine these two structures. You could, for example, divide your topic into themes and then put these in a more or less chronological order.