Paragraphs and headings and readability

Whether writing essays in exams or not, you want the essay to be as “readable” as possible. Some lecturers like you to use headings for different sections of your essays - others don’t. Try to find out what their preferences are - ask them. Personally I like headings and sub-headings - they can help your work to appear well laid-out. What if you aren’t “allowed” headings?

Each paragraph needs to be more-or-less complete in itself. However, it’s best that paragraphs don’t get too long. A hallmark of a good piece of writing is that the reader should be able to “scan” it. One way of making this possible is to take particular care with the first sentence of each paragraph. The first sentence should set the scene for the rest of the paragraph. It should be possible to read just the first sentence of each paragraph and get a reasonable idea of the structure of the essay.

How can first sentences be made to serve such purposes?

• The first sentence can state a major point - the rest of the paragraph justifying the point and adding detail.
  
  
• The first sentence can pose a question - the rest of the paragraph answering the question. "How can you make your sentences as “readable” as possible?" Here are a few suggestions.
  
  
• Keep them fairly short. A sentence should only try to say one thing. Too many phrases can cause the main point to get lost!
  
  
• Watch your commas! Ask yourself: “is this comma really necessary?” It may be possible to replace a comma by a full stop and a new sentence. (I admit that I tend to use far too many commas - but I’m working on it!)