6.1 Purpose, Audience, Tone, and Content
Imagine reading one long block of text, with each idea blurring into the next. Even if you read a thrilling novel or an interesting news article, you will likely lose interest in what the author says quickly. It is helpful to position yourself as a reader during the writing process. Ask yourself whether you can focus easily on each point you make. One technique that effective writers use is to begin a fresh paragraph for each new idea they introduce.
Paragraphs separate ideas into logical, manageable chunks. One paragraph focuses on only one main idea and presents coherent sentences supporting that point. Because all the sentences in one paragraph support the same point, a paragraph may stand alone. To create longer assignments and to discuss more than one point, writers group together paragraphs.
Three elements shape the content of each paragraph:
- Purpose. The reason the writer composes the paragraph.
- Tone. The attitude the writer conveys about the paragraph’s subject.
- Audience. The individual or group whom the writer intends to address.
The assignment’s purpose, audience, and tone dictate what the paragraph covers and how it will support one main point. This section covers how purpose, audience, and tone affect reading and writing paragraphs.