ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paragraph

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈpæɹəˌɡɹæf// UK //pˈæɹəɡɹˌæf// para·graph Academic General-service

n. a group of sentences that talk about one main idea. You start a new one on a new line to make your writing easier to read.

n. a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line or indentation.


SIMPLE

Please write a short paragraph about your family.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher asked the students to ensure each paragraph in their essay began with a clear topic sentence.

COMPLEX

While the introductory paragraph sets the stage for the argument, the subsequent body paragraphs must provide empirical evidence to support the thesis statement effectively.

Origin

From Middle English paragraf, from Middle French paragraphe from Latin paragraphus (“sign for start of a new section of discourse”), from Ancient Greek παράγραφος (parágraphos), from παρά (pará, “beside”) and γράφω (gráphō, “to write”). Doublet of paragraphos.

Usage

In digital contexts, often represented by the 'p' tag in HTML or the pilcrow symbol in editing software.

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