Stycke

Stycke, in Swedish writing, is the basic unit of a written text. A stycke is a block of sentences that develops a single central idea and is separated from adjacent blocks by a line break or an indentation. The purpose is to organize content, guide the reader, and signal shifts in topic, time, or perspective.

Composition: A typical stycke contains a topic sentence that states the main idea, followed by sentences that develop or support it, and often a concluding sentence that links to the next stycke. Coherence is achieved through logical progression, transitional words, and consistent focus on the central idea. Length varies by genre, purpose, and audience, but most Swedish stycken are concise.

Usage: In essays and reports, stycken mark breaks between steps of argument; in fiction, they separate scenes, descriptions, or dialogue beats. When writing dialogue, it is common to start a new stycke with each speaker change. In newspapers and online text, short stycken improve readability.

Typography and formatting: Historically, a stycke was indicated by an indentation at the first line. In modern print and digital media, a blank line between stycken or a consistent indentation is common. The exact convention depends on the style guide or publication.

Etymology and translation: The term stycke comes from Swedish meaning piece or section. In English-language texts, the corresponding unit is called a paragraph.