What defines a paragraph in a text?

Study for the North Carolina 7th Grade End-of-Grade ELA Test. Prepare with quizzes and flashcards, each offering hints and explanations. Be ready for your test!

A paragraph is typically defined as a small section of text that usually consists of 3 to 8 sentences and focuses on a single main idea or theme. This structure allows for the development of that idea, offering supporting details, examples, or explanations that contribute to the reader's understanding. Paragraphs help organize thoughts and guide readers through the text, providing clarity and coherence.

In contrast, a single sentence does not provide enough information to fully develop an idea, and a collection of unrelated sentences lacks the necessary cohesiveness to form a coherent paragraph. Additionally, a question posed by the author is not a defining characteristic of a paragraph, as it does not inherently contain multiple sentences or a thematic focus. Thus, the option highlighting paragraphs as sections usually comprising several sentences aligns best with standard writing conventions.

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