Ex. 3.15. Study the following comments on Academic Writing:
It is essential to divide your writing into paragraphs, which are either indented from the left margin (i.e., they start further in from the left) or a line of space is left at the end of a paragraph and the next paragraph is started on the left margin. This makes it easier for the reader to read a text.
A paragraph is self-contained but should link logically with the previous and following paragraphs so that the flow and cohesion of the writing is maintained.
A paragraph normally contains several sentences but they are all concerned with the theme contained in the topic or key sentence (i.e., the main sentence).
The key sentence is usually the first one, which contains the main idea or topic.
The other sentences support it by adding further information or examples.
(From: Jordan, R. R. (1999). Academic writing course: Study skills in English (3rd ed.). Harlow, MA: Pearson Education. P.16)