Writers use paragraph breaks to help their readers by considering organization and impact on the reader.

 Paragraph breaks are very important for several reasons. If a reader faces an extremely long block of type, it can be overwhelming and the end result is frustration and unread text. Paragraph breaks are also important to help organize the text. Writers use a strategy called PATSI to break text into paragraphs. In this strategy writers use changes in place, action, time, speaker, or idea to potentially start new paragraphs. Writers also consider the impact on the reader when they make decisions about where to break into new paragraphs. Writers may choose to emphasize a new event or idea by creating a paragraph break. They may also choose to separate or emphasize different sections or subtopics. Finally, writers may want to create a dramatic effect by isolating one or two sentences.

 P lace  A ction  T ime  S peaker (This one is a rule!)  I dea

 Emphasize a new event or idea.  Separate or emphasize different sections or subtopics.  Create a dramatic effect by isolating one or two sentences.