Paragraafi

Paragraafi, or paragraph in English, is a distinct section of prose that expresses a complete, coherent thought or a component of a larger argument. It functions to organize discourse, guiding readers through a progression of ideas. A typical paragraph centers on a single topic, introduced by a topic sentence, followed by supporting sentences, and often finished with a concluding sentence or transition.

Visual cues for paragraafi vary by medium. In print, paragraphs are usually separated by a line break and an initial indentation; in digital text, spacing and line breaks often replace indentation. The length and density of paragraphs differ by genre: journalism tends to favor shorter blocks for readability, while academic writing may allow longer, more complex paragraphs that develop a thesis with evidence and analysis.

In Finnish usage, paragraafi also denotes a subdivision within legal documents, such as laws, contracts, and regulations, typically numbered to facilitate precise reference (for example, Paragraafi 1, Paragraafi 2). This legal sense is distinct from its broader rhetorical meaning but shares the same core idea of a defined unit of text.

Historically, the term derives from the Greek para- graphein, meaning to write beside. The modern paragraph emerged and evolved through the development of manuscript practices and printing conventions, with indentation and spacing becoming standard in many languages. With digital typography, formatting rules continue to adapt, emphasizing clarity, readability, and the coherent progression of ideas.

Overall, paragraafi serves as the basic unit of written structure, balancing unity of thought with navigable organization, and its conventions adapt to language, genre, and medium.