and around it constructed the different parts of the paragraph. Anyone
can make a context for every simple sentence by asking himself questions
in reference to the sentence. Thus--"The foreman gave the order"--
suggests at once several questions; "What was the order?" "to whom did he
give it?" "why did he give it?" "what was the result?" etc. These
questions when answered will depend upon the leading one and be an
elaboration of it into a complete paragraph.

If we examine any good paragraph we shall find it made up of a number of
items, each of which helps to illustrate, confirm or enforce the general
thought or purpose of the paragraph. Also the transition from each item
to the next is easy, natural and obvious; the items seem to come of
themselves. If, on the other hand, we detect in a paragraph one or more
items which have no direct bearing, or if we are unable to proceed
readily from item to item, especially if we are obliged to rearrange the
items before we can perceive their full significance, then we are
justified in pronouncing the paragraph construction faulty.

No specific rules can be given as to the construction of paragraphs. The
best advice is,--Study closely the paragraph structure of the best
writers, for it is only through imitation, conscious or unconscious of
the best models, that one can master the art.

The best paragraphist in the English language for the essay is Macaulay,
the best model to follow for the oratorical style is Edmund Burke and for
description and narration probably the greatest master of paragraph is
the American Goldsmith, Washington Irving.

A paragraph is indicated in print by what is known as the indentation of
the line, that is, by commencing it a space from the left margin.