Question

How many main ideas should be developed in a paragraph?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Ideally, just one. It you put too much in a paragraph and try and develop more than 1 idea at a time, sooner or later you will get into a mess trying to keep track of how to order the second third fourth ... idea without them interfering with each other.

My answer is for the body of an essay. The first and last paragraphs can be a little more flexible, but those two ought to resemble a list rather than a paragraph in the body of an essay.

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

Paragraph Development. A paragraph is a collection of sentences which all relate to one main idea or topic. Effective paragraphs have four main characteristics: a topic sentence, unity, coherence, and adequate development.

While the main idea is usually in the first sentence, the next most common placement is in the last sentence of a paragraph. The author gives supporting information first and then makes the point in the last sentence. Here's a paragraph we can use as an example. Try to locate the topic and the main idea.

How do you write a paragraph?

Element #1: Unity. Unity in a paragraph begins with the topic sentence. ...

Element #2: Order. Order refers to the way you organize your supporting sentences. ...

Element #3: Coherence. Coherence is the quality that makes your writing understandable. ...

Element #4: Completeness.