Grammar Help — Paragraphs

The paragraph is a collection of sentences conveying a complete meaning. Usually a paragraph is more than three or four sentences long. It is the smallest division of the logic of an essay. It should always be possible to sum up a paragraph in a single sentence. A paragraph might be based on a single point in your outline.

Paragraphs should not begin with conjunctions.	(And, But, Or)
A paragraph might begin with reference to the preceding paragraph.	"Another aspect of..."
Paragraphs are often centred around a quote or some particular point in the work being discussed. In this example, the use of nothingness which was discussed in the previous paragraph is used as a transition to the discussion on governance which is covered in the ten sentences of this paragraph. This paragraph could be summed up as "Lao Tzu's views on governance."	The use of nothing is further developed as Lao Tzu describes the actions of the sage. The sage governs according to Tao. “Do that which consists in taking no action.” This is characterized as wu-wei and it is through this wu-wei that the sage allows the way to flourish in the state. Governance is a prime concern to Lao Tzu as expressed in Tao te ching. One of the prime directives of the book concerns the importance of taking little action while governing. “Governing a large state is like boiling a small fish.” Lao Tzu wants governors to live by the way and therefore bring the way to bear on the nation through example and influence not heavy handed rule. The Way, according to Lao Tzu, also means governing to avoid conflict. “Ensure that even though the people have tools of war for a troop or a batallion they will not use them.”