How to use paragraphs in your thesis

To ensure your thesis is readable, it is very important that you have a logical paragraph structure. You can use regular sub-headings and blank lines to make your text easy to read. A good structure within your paragraphs, clear headings, and linking words can also contribute to this. How do you divide your information into paragraphs and subparagraphs in your thesis? We will help you get started.

Each thesis consists of chapters, which in turn consist of paragraphs and subparagraphs. Chapters include the foreword, the introduction, the theoretical framework and the conclusion. Within these chapters, you divide the information into paragraphs, which are made up of smaller subparagraphs. 

Paragraph

A chapter consists of one or more paragraphs that deal with a particular sub-topic of a chapter. You can recognise paragraphs by their separate headings, which are often used in combination with a paragraph number. An example is '3.3 Research design' or 'Suggestions for further research'. 

Paragraphs are only used when a chapter deals with several sub-topics that can be discussed separately. This applies, for example, to the method chapter, in which you should use different paragraphs to discuss the chosen sample, the research design, the data collection and the data analysis, among other things. 

Incidentally, a paragraph can also have sub-paragraphs, again each with its own heading. This is the case, for example, if under the heading research design you separately describe three different aspects of your research design.

Between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next, you should always put a blank line. 

Subparagraph

Paragraphs consist of subparagraphs. Each subparagraph deals with a particular theme within the subtopic. The idea is that each subparagraph has one or two key sentences, and the remaining sentences explain them. A subparagraph always consists of several sentences. 

After a subparagraph, you start again on the next line. You will often see an indentation between two subparagraphs where the next paragraph begins, but you may also use a blank line between subparagraphs. Check with your thesis supervisor to see what the standard is within your study programme. 

Subparagraphs never stand alone. They form a whole within a paragraph or chapter. Therefore, it is important that your subparagraphs are in a logical order and that the connection between them is clear. 

The first way to link them is to combine all the subparagraphs that deal with one specific subject into a paragraph or chapter. You do this in a logical order, of course. Secondly, use linking words (also called 'signal words'), to indicate how a subparagraph relates to the previous one. 

Connecting words are words like "first", "second", "moreover", "however", "although" or "in short". These words are not only used at the beginning of a subparagraph; they are also used to indicate connections within subparagraphs (between or within sentences).

A logical subparagraph structure is important if you want your thesis to be easily readable. It prevents you from rambling on and on in your text, and the reader from misinterpreting your words.

To help you get started with deciding how to structure your  subparagraphs, we can give you a few tips:

• Decide in advance what your thesis structure will look like. Also, before writing a chapter, think about which (sub)paragraphs it will contain. This makes the writing process easier.

• Make sure all chapters and paragraphs have a heading.

• Only use paragraphs if you discuss two or more subtopics in a chapter. 

• Are you working with chapter and paragraph numbers? Then, don't forget to give each heading a number.

• Don't make your subparagraphs too long. Try to start a new subparagraph every 6-10 lines.

• Unsure about your subparagraph structure? Check that each subparagraph has at least one key sentence describing the main message. If not, you might want to combine this paragraph with another one. 

• Remember to use connecting words between subparagraphs or between sentences. You don't have to do this every time, but it is nice to have a smooth transition now and then.

• Check if your subparagraphs are longer than one sentence. If they are not,see if you can combine subparagraphs. 

• Use indentation or blank lines consistently when starting a new paragraph. 

Do you find it difficult to keep the common thread strong throughout your thesis? You don't have to struggle with this on your own. The editors of AthenaCheck can help you by checking your thesis structure, language or common thread. We are happy to help you turn your thesis into a readable text.