Which statement best defines a paragraph?

Which statement best defines a paragraph?

• A. A group of sentences that forms a unit separate from but connected to other paragraphs
• B. A single sentence that expresses a complete thought
• C. A page with many topics
• D. A sentence without punctuation

Answer: (A)

A paragraph is a unit of writing built from sentences that develop one main idea and stay connected to the surrounding text. The statement describing a group of sentences that forms a unit separate from but connected to other paragraphs captures this idea: it shows unity within the block of sentences and indicates how that block fits into the larger piece. This combination—several sentences working together on one idea, while being part of a sequence of thoughts—is what makes a paragraph. Why the other ideas don’t fit as well: a single sentence on its own isn’t a paragraph; a page with many topics isn’t focused on one idea, so it isn’t a single paragraph; and a sentence without punctuation is incomplete and not properly structured, so it wouldn’t constitute a paragraph either.

A paragraph is a unit of writing built from sentences that develop one main idea and stay connected to the surrounding text. The statement describing a group of sentences that forms a unit separate from but connected to other paragraphs captures this idea: it shows unity within the block of sentences and indicates how that block fits into the larger piece. This combination—several sentences working together on one idea, while being part of a sequence of thoughts—is what makes a paragraph.

Why the other ideas don’t fit as well: a single sentence on its own isn’t a paragraph; a page with many topics isn’t focused on one idea, so it isn’t a single paragraph; and a sentence without punctuation is incomplete and not properly structured, so it wouldn’t constitute a paragraph either.