If you want to improve your business writing skills.

Think of yourself as a guide your reader doesn't know your destination.

Your reader doesn't know the route your reader doesn't have a map or a compass or a
G.P.S. your reader

needs a guide.

You are that guide.

Your job is to guide your reader from your departure point to your destination.

You guide your readers to their destination.

Using three units of composition words sentences and paragraphs you combine words
to form sentences

and you combine sentences to form paragraphs and you combined paragraphs to create
your entire business

documents if you struggle with business writing.

You likely struggle with paragraphs.

You wonder what they are how they work and how you should write them.

In order to help your readers get to where you want them to go.

So here are some answers to frequently asked questions about paragraphs in business
writing.

What is a paragraph a paragraph is a group of sentences that develop a single

topic.

If you want to improve your business writing skills write better paragraphs.

Why must I write using paragraphs all but the simplest of ideas need to be
communicated in stages.

Most subjects you write about at work need to be divided into topics dividing your
subject into paragraphs

helps your reader follow your thinking as you move from one idea to the next.

How many topics should each paragraph contain.

1 What should I do if I want to include two topics in one paragraph.

You should divide the topics into two paragraphs what should every paragraph
include every paragraph

should include a topic sentence supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

What is the topic sentence.

The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.

What is the purpose of the topic sentence.

The purpose of your topic sentence is to introduce the topic of the paragraph the
first sentence of

each paragraph is a signal that a new step in the development of the subject has
been reached.

You write these naturally as you improve your business writing skills.

What are supporting sentences in a paragraph.

Supporting sentences are sentences between the topic sentence and the concluding
sentence.

They explain or elaborate on the topic of the paragraph.

What is the concluding sentence the concluding sentence is the last sentence in a
paragraph.

It ends the topic of the paragraph succinctly usually with a concluding idea.

Sometimes the concluding sentence in a paragraph prepares the reader for the next
paragraph using a

sentence known as a transition sentence.

So you're probably wondering what is a transition sentence.

I'll tell you a transition sentence is a concluding sentence in a paragraph that

connects the paragraph

to the one that follows the first sentence in a paragraph can also serve as a
transition from the previous

paragraph.

What is the goal of a transition sentence.

The goal of your transition sentence is to help your readers see how your
paragraphs relate to each

other and how they relate to the overall topic of your document good transitions
highlight the connections

between adjoining paragraphs.

There are a number of words and phrases that are perfect for showing that you are
transitioning from

one idea to another.

What are some examples of transition sentences.

Well the last sentence that I just said is an example of a transition sentence.

That sentence sets you up to expect that the topic of the next paragraph what I'm
now talking about

will be words and phrases to use in transition sentences.

But but that's only one example of how to improve your business writing skills with
paragraph transitions

what words or phrases can I use in a topic sentence to show that I am transitioning
to a new topic.

There are many words and phrases that introduce a transition.

These include in addition on the other hand Furthermore for example naturally.

However finally and in conclusion How do I recognize a good paragraph when I read
one a good paragraph

has unity.

The sentences in the paragraph develop the topic of the paragraph coherently the
writer develops the

ideas in the paragraph in a logical sequence.

How long should my paragraphs be.

There is no rule for how long a paragraph should be.

The only rule is that your paragraphs must be long enough to adequately express one
idea how many sentences

should I include in a paragraph.

Again there are no rules for how many sentences you must include any paragraph your
subject matter determines

how many sentences you write.

For example paragraphs and business memos and e-mails tend to have only a few
sentences paragraphs in

reports and financial statements tend to contain many sentences.

In conclusion let me share a simple tip for writing paragraphs so that you improve
your business writing

skills.

Think of yourself as a guide who is taking your reader from point A to Point B
using the written word.

Your reader doesn't know the destination nor the route that you're taking.

Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence.

Develop your topic with facts examples evidence descriptions and explanations.

End your paragraph with a conclusion or with a transition sentence that prepares
your reader for the

next paragraph.
Follow this simple plan and your readers will get to your destination.

The one you want them to reach thanks to you.