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Write short paragraphs and cover one topic per paragraph. [S1] Short paragraphs are easier to read and understand. [S1] Long paragraphs discourage users from even trying to understand your material. [S1] There is nothing wrong with an occasional one-sentence paragraph. [S1] Organize the information. Prepare readers for what to expect. [S2] Summarize lengthy documents up front. [S2]

Checklist

1. [ ] Write short paragraphs and cover one topic per paragraph. [S1]
2. [ ] Vary the lengths of your paragraphs to make them more interesting. [S1]
3. [ ] Use an occasional one-sentence paragraph when it helps. [S1]
4. [ ] Organize the information and prepare readers for what to expect. [S2]
5. [ ] Summarize lengthy documents up front. [S2]

Done when: short paragraphs cover one topic per paragraph. [S1]

Prepare readers for what to expect. [S2]

Claims

• id: C1 claim: Cover one topic in each short paragraph. source: S1 evidence: "Write short paragraphs and cover one topic per paragraph."
• id: C2 claim: Short paragraphs are easier to understand. source: S1 evidence: "Short paragraphs are easier to read and understand."
• id: C3 claim: Long paragraphs discourage readers. source: S1 evidence: "Long paragraphs discourage users from even trying to understand your material."
• id: C4 claim: Organize information so readers know what to expect. source: S2 evidence: "Organize the information."
• id: C5 claim: Summarize long material at the front. source: S2 evidence: "Summarize lengthy documents up-front."

Sources

• [S1] Write short paragraphs. GSA / PlainLanguage.gov archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GSA/plainlanguage.gov/main/_pages/guidelines/concise/write-short-paragraphs.md . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.
• [S2] Principles of plain language. Digital.gov (GSA). https://digital.gov/guides/plain-language/principles . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-05.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).

@misc{iil_note_s8bxb6b5,
  author = {{iinventedlight}},
  title = {{Keep paragraphs short and on one topic}},
  howpublished = {iinventedlight Library},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-11-05},
  url = {https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-language-short-paragraphs/},
  note = {Permanent ID iil:note:s8bxb6b5. License: CC-BY-4.0.},
}

Markdown

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