How Many Sentences Should a Paragraph Really Have?

Guidelines about writing styles help make written material more effective. Depending on the context, that might mean making a piece easier to read, funnier, or more compelling, or it might mean convincing more readers to respond to a call to action.

Any editor will tell you that most drafts will be improved by sticking to traditional rules of grammar and consistently following a style guide. But at the same time, knowing when to bend or even break the rules can make an otherwise forgettable piece memorable.

If you’re writing a blog, an article, or a novel, you may wonder what the rules are for the number of sentences in a paragraph. This article will discuss some best practices and why the answer is ultimately debatable.

You can skip to any section of this article using the jump links below:

• How many sentences should a paragraph have?
• When to write shorter paragraphs
• When to write longer paragraphs
• Paragraphing suggestions
• Writing workshops and resources
• Make the most of your writing skills

How many sentences should a paragraph have?

The number of sentences a paragraph should have depends, in part, on the genre and the target audience. A children’s book, for example, will often have short paragraphs with short sentences so that children can easily understand them. A tome on philosophy, on the other hand, will often have very long paragraphs with long sentences, as the writers are trying to convey complex thoughts.

You may have been taught a general rule for paragraph length in high school or college. Purdue, for instance, suggests that paragraphs should typically contain three to five sentences—but doesn’t specify a hard and fast rule for word count. Keeping the number of words in mind helps avoid overly long sentences and can improve a paragraph’s clarity.

Finding the right balance between sentence length and paragraph structure helps ensure clarity and readability while conveying your message effectively. MIT’s rule of thumb is capping sentences at 30 words for the best readability. This can improve the flow of your writing and more easily get your message across.

But if you read almost any novel, blog, or magazine, you’re bound to see that rule broken. Your favorite author might write one-sentence paragraphs or paragraphs that take up half a page. In the real world, there’s no exact number of sentences that every paragraph needs.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore advice from MIT and Purdue. There’s a reason they want people to pay attention to the length of their paragraphs: They’re trying to help you structure your ideas.

Your educators in primary school likely asked you to begin paragraphs with a topic sentence, end them with a concluding sentence, and include a few sentences in between supporting your idea. Teaching paragraph structure in this way helps students organize their ideas, but not every writer follows the formula, and not every genre needs it.

Think about the last time you read a book. Did you ever stop to count a group of sentences in a paragraph? Probably not, because the exact number of sentences doesn’t matter. Some paragraphs are long, and some paragraphs are short. What’s important is readability and using paragraph breaks as needed. A good paragraph focuses on one idea or main point and delivers its message clearly.

When writing for the internet, another consideration is responsive design—the ability of a webpage to be viewed easily on screens of different sizes, whether from a large computer screen or a pocket-sized phone. For responsive design, writers and editors often think less about the number of sentences in a paragraph and more about the number of lines the paragraph takes up.

Short paragraphs can typically be read well on any device. But paragraphs longer than about five lines on a standard computer screen can be challenging for readers using smaller phones to scroll through. Regardless of where a thought would naturally break or the exact number of sentences in a paragraph, the reader experience should usually take precedence.

When to write shorter paragraphs

Shorter paragraphs are usually around two or three sentences. Bloggers, copywriters, journalists, and other commercial writers use shorter paragraphs to keep readers’ attention.

The main advantages of shorter paragraphs are:

• Conciseness. Short paragraphs present information concisely.
• Ease of reading. They’re easier to read and skim, especially from phones and tablets.
• Reader engagement. They keep readers engaged and provide clear guidance.

Short paragraphs are concise and to the point, and are easier to read or skim. Commercial writers will also use subheadings, images, and videos to split up information further. Long walls of connected text can be daunting to a reader, especially if they’re looking for specific information.

That’s why e-commerce websites use short paragraphs and keep the information on their pages sparse. Online writing is extremely concise.

Just look at the paragraphs in this article.

Businesses want their consumers to find the products, services, or information they need as easily as possible. Companies don’t want frustrated visitors to leave their sites and take their business elsewhere.

Authors specializing in creative writing also use short paragraphs in novels to improve the flow. Readers can get confused and lose track of where they are in a story if too much information is jammed into a single paragraph. Short paragraphs help drive the plot and keep a story exciting.

When to write longer paragraphs

Long paragraphs are common in some types of writing, like information-dense documents. They can be useful when a writer needs to explore a complex idea. White papers and business-to-business (B2B) copywriting projects often have immense paragraphs with copious data.

Specific scenarios where longer paragraphs are suitable include:

• Information-dense documents. White papers and B2B copywriting projects often use long paragraphs to explain complex topics in detail.
• Academic writing. Research papers, essays, and reports commonly contain longer paragraphs to fully convey research and analysis.
• Technical documents. Detailed manuals and specifications require long paragraphs to describe technical processes and requirements.

Whether you should use longer paragraphs in your writing depends on the format and your audience. While you wouldn’t write a promotional flyer as one long paragraph, experts can easily digest information about their field. They can follow large paragraphs filled with data and industry jargon if the subject is related to their skill set.

For example, an experienced back-end programmer will likely have no problem following a white paper about a particular application programming interface (API), even if it has long paragraphs.

Paragraphs in academic writing are around six to eight sentences. Professors want to see the writer illustrate all of their research on the topic, which is difficult to do in two or three sentences.

Paragraphing suggestions

The content and structure of a paragraph is much more important than the length. The basic outline of an engaging paragraph is as follows:

1. Topic sentence. Outline the main idea.
2. Supporting sentences. Add evidence, examples, or elaboration.
3. Strong closing sentence. Reinforce the main idea.

Below are some additional tips to expand on that framework to make your paragraphs shine.

Use topic sentences to guide readers

Begin each new paragraph with a clear topic sentence that outlines what the paragraph will discuss. This helps readers grasp the main idea at a glance, setting expectations for what follows. A strong topic sentence acts as a guide, ensuring that all subsequent sentences contribute directly to the topic introduced.

Look at these examples of paragraphs that start with a topic sentence:

• Blog post. If writing a blog post on content marketing strategies, a strong topic sentence could be, “Optimizing blog posts for search engines is crucial to attract organic traffic and boost visibility.” The following sentences could then elaborate on how keyword research, metadata optimization, and quality content can improve search engine rankings.
• Academic paper. In an academic paper analyzing climate change effects on coastal cities, a topic sentence might read, “Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal infrastructure, impacting populations and economies.” The supporting sentences could discuss statistics on sea level rise, the vulnerability of specific cities, and possible mitigation measures.
• White paper. In a white paper exploring customer service automation, a suitable topic sentence would be, “Integrating AI chatbots into customer service systems can streamline responses and enhance client satisfaction.” The subsequent sentences could describe the benefits of chatbots, provide case studies, and list features businesses should consider when implementing them.

These topic sentence examples provide readers with a clear preview of the paragraph’s main idea, ensuring that subsequent sentences are focused on this central theme.

Stick to one core idea per paragraph

Each paragraph should explore one core idea from its first sentence to its last. Touching on several different concepts in one paragraph will hurt the composition of your entire document and confuse your readers.

Coherent paragraphs are the building blocks of a document. Each one supports the overarching theme of your broader writing sample.

Let’s say a teacher assigns a five-paragraph essay.

The first paragraph is the introduction and includes a thesis statement. The last paragraph is the conclusion, which includes your findings. The three body paragraphs make up the meat of the draft; each one examines a separate idea that supports your conclusion. Every paragraph has one, and only one, purpose.

Create connections between sentences

Every sentence in a paragraph should lead into the next one smoothly. Like essays, paragraphs contain a topic, a body, and a conclusion. Each sentence should drive the reader from one to the next. To do this, think from the viewpoint of your audience.

For example, let’s say you’re writing a blog about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for a marketing company. Your target audience includes small business owners who might not be familiar with SEO or other marketing concepts.

Here’s what the first sentence of one of your paragraphs might say: “Great SEO can bring many potential customers to your business.”

Now, you’ve intrigued your reader by telling them what SEO can do for their company. If your reader is unfamiliar with SEO, they’ll likely wonder how it can attract clients. Answer their question with your next sentence or the next few supporting sentences.

“By helping your company’s webpage rank at the top of the search engine results page (SERP) for various keywords, SEO drives organic traffic to your company site.”

Transition words can help you link sentences in your paragraphs or connect one paragraph to another. They establish relationships between ideas, making your writing cohesive and guiding readers through your narrative. For instance, words like “therefore,” “accordingly,” and “subsequently” help clarify logical connections between statements.

However, avoid overusing transition words, as too many can clutter your writing and make it appear repetitive. Instead, use them strategically to emphasize key points and create smooth transitions where necessary. This helps the relationships between sentences remain clear without overwhelming your readers with excessive transitions.

While this list isn’t comprehensive, here are some transition words and phrases to help your writing flow better:

• Therefore
• Accordingly
• So
• Because
• Subsequently
• Additionally
• As a result
• Consequently
• Likewise
• In fact
• In short

Be concise

Good writing presents ideas clearly and concisely. Some writers use single-sentence paragraphs or even paragraphs made of a single word in their writing all the time. But even if you have to write paragraphs with many sentences, those sentences still shouldn’t be overly wordy.

Often, being direct is best. Use active voice as much as you can, but also know when passive voice is best. Strunk and White’s “The Elements of Style” offers this advice:

• Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. (p. 12-13)

A frequent mistake that can result in unnecessarily long paragraphs is trying to describe a complex idea one step at a time using several sentences. Here’s an example:

• Sam’s determination made him want to be a partner at his law firm. He had a dream that he would be promoted from associate to partner. He worked very hard to show his bosses he deserved a promotion. Sam was promoted to partner. (43 words)

Here’s how you might combine the sentences in the above paragraph to make it less clunky:

• Determined to make his dream a reality, Sam worked very hard to impress his bosses and was promoted to partner at his law firm. (24 words)

Vary paragraph lengths to maintain interest

Mixing short and long paragraphs can make your writing more dynamic and engaging. Short paragraphs provide emphasis and are easier to digest, making them effective for strong statements or transitions. For instance a short paragraph, like “Customer satisfaction is essential to our business,” grabs attention. It emphasizes its importance before transitioning to a longer, more detailed paragraph with more explanation.

Longer paragraphs allow for more complex development of ideas. For example, in an article discussing strategies for managing distributed teams, a longer paragraph can explain a step-by-step approach to communication protocols while providing data-backed insights.

By balancing short and long paragraphs:

• Readers remain engaged. The change in rhythm keeps the reader’s attention, preventing monotony.
• Points become clearer. Short paragraphs emphasize key takeaways, while longer ones provide deeper analysis.
• Content appears polished. Varying lengths enrich the overall rhythm and flow, making the writing feel polished and intentional.
  

This combination keeps your text compelling while effectively guiding readers through each section.

Writing workshops and resources

Consider exploring these valuable resources to refine your writing and paragraph structuring skills:

• Writing workshops. Seek out local or virtual writing workshops offered by universities, writing centers, and professional organizations. Many of these workshops focus on specific writing skills, such as creating cohesive paragraphs, enhancing transitions, and building logical structures.
• Online courses. Numerous platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses on effective writing techniques. Consider a course that covers essential paragraph skills, including “English Composition” by Arizona State University on edX or “Business Writing” by the University of Colorado on Coursera.
• Resource guides. Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) provides comprehensive guides on writing, including how to structure paragraphs. Other helpful resources include the books “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White and “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser.
• Writing communities. Join writing groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, or Facebook to exchange tips with fellow writers and learn from their experiences. Participating in discussions can expose you to new strategies and provide valuable feedback.

These workshops and resources can help you build your writing skills, hone your craft, and refine paragraph structures to create clear and engaging content.

Make the most of your writing skills

Writing can be difficult because there are so many writing rules, and very few are set in stone. Good writers break the rules constantly, but they do it without sacrificing clarity.

You’re taught never to start a sentence with “and” or “but,” yet magazine writers do it all the time. You’re taught never to use sentence fragments, yet you’ll find them everywhere in professional copywriting. And you’re taught that paragraphs should be a certain length.

There’s really no such thing as writing “by the book,” but resources are available to help you write more clearly. And the more you write, the better you’ll get at it. Eventually, you’ll get a feel for how to write clearly, how to structure your ideas, and how to relate to your audience.

If you’re a writer, see what Upwork can do for your career by browsing the writing jobs on Upwork. We’ll connect you with companies worldwide looking for skilled, remote copywriters. If you’re a business seeking talented writers to improve your content, explore Upwork to find experienced professionals ready to help elevate your brand’s messaging.

‍

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.