Basic Details
Word: Paragraph
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A section of writing about one main idea. It starts on a new line and usually has several sentences.
Synonyms: passage, section
Word origin: From Greek paragraphos, a short line written beside the text to mark a break.
How to Spell Paragraph
Syllables: par - a - graph
Tricky part: There are two a's before graph, and the f sound is ph. The middle a is often written e (paregraph), and the ending is sometimes muddled into gragh.
Watch out for: paragraf, paregraph, paragragh
Memory tip: Split it as para + graph. Graph means writing, as in autograph and photograph, and it always ends in ph.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Write a paragraph of about eighty words on your favourite festival.
Example 2: The first paragraph of the letter explains why she is writing.
Example 3: Each paragraph in your essay should begin with a clear topic sentence.
Fun Fact
The mark once used in manuscripts to show a new paragraph, the pilcrow, still appears in word processors on the button that shows hidden formatting.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
paragraphe
a) e
b) r
c) h
d) a
Show answer
a) e. Graph ends with ph and no e, so paragraph does too.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The editor cut the last pagaprhra because it only repeated the first.
a) parachute
b) paragraph
c) paradigm
d) photograph
Show answer
b) paragraph. Three a's and two p's sit in this jumble, a mix that only paragraph has.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. paragraph 2. chaptar 3. sylabus 4. glossery
a) a list of the topics a course will cover
b) a list of difficult words with their meanings
c) one of the main parts of a book
d) a section of writing on one main idea
Show answer
d) a section of writing on one main idea. Syllabus has a double l, glossary ends in ary and chapter in er, so paragraph is the correct word.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A new paragraph usually starts when the writer ____.
a) uses a long word
b) adds a question mark
c) reaches a full stop
d) moves to a new idea
Show answer
d) moves to a new idea
2. Which of these is usually the longest?
a) a paragraph
b) a word
c) a syllable
d) a single letter
Show answer
a) a paragraph
