IN PRAISE OF THE PARAGRAPH

IN PRAISE OF THE PARAGRAPH

A letter in which Merton praises and justifies the use of frequent and good paragraphing, as a part of a dialogue with a fun, new DA friend.

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My dear paragraph belittling friend,

Why paragraph frequently and well?

Well, of course this is just my opinion, but...
(Have you ever known me, even in our short acquaintance) not to give it?!?  Wink.)

Paragraphs are crucial 'cuz no paragraphs (or few of them) are hard to read! And, no paragraphs (or miserly use of them) encourage folks to just read a few lines and give up. One loses ones place, and can't keep up).

As well, I find that good and frequent paragraphing encourages me to block out my thoughts, have good transitions, etc.  It also makes it much simpler for me to edit my own work.  I can really see where I have said too much, said too little, or repeated myself, in regards to a given aspect of my literary piece.  Too, I can easily see where I need to reword, or use varied or different terms.  

And, literary pieces are not just verbiage, but are visual.  Just as the perception of a poem (particularly in free or blank verse) can change with the length of lines and "paragraphing" (if we might call it that in poetry), so this is true with prose: the way one's work, thoughts and ideas are perceived and understood is not just the words, but how it looks on the page.  It is somewhat/sometimes subtle, but I think paragraphs make a big difference.

Without good and frequent paragraphs, one's writing is just a big jumble on the page, irritating and nearly impossible for the reader to navigate.  To me, it is strikingly obvious that frequent and good paragraphing is a major part of good writing.

This is all just my opinion, but there we have it.

Now, in regards to your point about people "not speaking in paragraphs:"

I think that people do speak in paragraphs.  I sort of do.  My English teacher Dad does.  If you listen to a well-spoken person, who speaks with care, thought and detail about a given subject, there are  groups of thoughts, intros, conclusions, umbrella statements, transitions, etc.  

Of course, my own "speaking in paragraphs" may just be the result of having an English teacher, actor, theater director for a father (and a reading specialist for a birth mother). Perhaps other folks do not.  Maybe it only happens in my family. But I do not think this is the case.  I think one senses this speaking in paragraphs all the time.

I will admit, however, that this speaking in paragraphs may be irritating for the listener.  It certainly is for my shy, of few words hubby, who says I speak about things "way past the point that anyone might possibly be interested"  (lol)...  but, nonetheless, I see it as a good thing!  

That was a neat story about the Greeks, paragraphing, and their ingenious invention of a paragraph as a way to keep or find one's place after returning from a potty break.  How eminently practical.  That is a good motivation and justification for the paragraph.  Love it!  

As for you, the restroom, and your ability to get there and back quickly (and thus, your feeling that paragraphs are not necessary)... I forget your age, but it sounds like you are in your forties or fifties!  Wink.

To conclude:  I took extra care with paragraphing this little tome, since I knew you would notice, it being our topic of discourse!

Merton