how many sentences are in a paragraph?

Question

usually for 7th graders

Answer 1

Three or four, depending on length

Answer 2

When most students think of a paragraph, they hold onto the old myths about length: a paragraph is at least 5 sentences, a paragraph is half a page, etc. A paragraph, however, is "a group of sentences or a single sentence that forms a unit" (Lunsford and Connors, p. 116). Length or appearance is not a factor in determining whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. In fact, it is not the number of sentences that construct a paragraph, but it is the unity and coherence of ideas among those sentences that makes a paragraph a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be a single sentence. As long as that sentence expresses the paper's central idea, that sentence can serve the function of a paragraph. Ultimately, strong paragraphs contain a sentence or sentences unified around one central, controlling idea. When the paragraph reaches completion it should serve to bring the reader into your paper and guide his/her understanding of what has been read. Whether that completion happens with one sentence or with twenty, the end result is still a paragraph.

If this or another answer here proves helpful in your research, you can encourage good answers by choosing one answer as the "best answer."

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 3

There is no limit to the number of sentences in a paragraph. There have been whole books written in only one paragraph.

The usual rule is that a paragraph should be about a single idea. There should generally be at least three: an introductory or topic sentence, a middle sentence providing an argument, example, or anecdote, and a closing sentence that summarizes the idea of the paragraph.

However, there is no rule that a paragraph cannot be a single sentence, or even a sentence fragment, or a single word. This will often happen in literary writing.

Answer 4

Usually 4-5. Maybe 6.

Answer 5

usually 3 to 5

Answer 6

in my school 4th graders write 5-7 sentences per paragraphs for a book report.

Answer 7

There can be as little or as many sentences as you want. Usually, you should use at least 3 in a paragraph, unless it's dialogue, to make it a strong paragraph and detailed.

NEVER make your paragraph:

I like shoes. I like blue ones.

Be informative.

Answer 8

I was always taught that a basic paragraph has about 4 sentences.

Answer 9

4-6

Answer 10

5-8

Answer 11

most teachers like about 7-8, but I personally don't think it matters. Just start a new paragraph when you're beginning a new idea or thought.