Why is the first paragraph indented?

A first-line indent is the most common way to signal the start of a new paragraph. A first-line indent on the first paragraph of any text is optional, because it’s obvious where the paragraph starts. Typically, a first-line indent should be no smaller than the current point size, or else it’ll be hard to notice.

Can you indent the first line of a paragraph?

To indent the first line of a paragraph, put your cursor at the beginning of the paragraph and press the tab key. When you press Enter to start the next paragraph, its first line will be indented.

When did paragraphs start?

Although paragraphs in one form or another had long been common in English prose, theories of the paragraph didn’t emerge until the late eighteenth century. The earliest attempts at describing what a paragraph was and how one ought to be written were piecemeal affairs.

What is it called when the first line of a paragraph is moved over further from the margin?

It’s easier than you might think to pull text into the left margin. Most text is flush with the left margin or indented to the right a bit. You can indent just the first line of a paragraph or indent all but the first line (that’s called a hanging indent).

IS indenting paragraphs obsolete?

Because people rarely handwrite anymore. When typing, the indent-free full-block style just looks better, and it’s easier to do. As it’s become the primary style of separating paragraphs pretty much across the board in all forms of modern typeface communication, the indented paragraph has become a relic.

How do you indent the first line of a paragraph in pages?

Indent the first line in a paragraph

1. In the ruler, drag the first line indent marker (the orange rectangle) to set a new indent.
2. In the Format sidebar, click the Layout button near the top, click the disclosure arrow next to Indents, then click the arrows next to First.

What is the origin of the word paragraph?

Word Origin for paragraph C16: from Medieval Latin paragraphus, from Greek paragraphos line drawing attention to part of a text, from paragraphein to write beside, from para- 1 + graphein to write.

What is the first paragraph of text called?

A lead paragraph (sometimes shortened to lead; in the United States sometimes spelled lede) is the opening paragraph of an article, essay, book chapter, or other written work that summarizes its main ideas.

What is it called when the first line of a paragraph?

The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It is introductory, meaning it should not include details, rather, it should introduce the main idea which will be supported by the rest of your paragraph.

What is paragraph indenting?

Updated February 12, 2020. In a composition, an indentation is a blank space between a margin and the beginning of a line of text. The beginning of this paragraph is indented. Standard paragraph indentation is about five spaces or one-quarter to one-half of an inch, depending on which style guide you follow.

What does it mean to indent your paragraphs?

To indent is to begin text with a blank space between it and the margin. When you’re writing an essay, you can indent the first sentence of each paragraph. Another way to indent is to cause a hollow, depression, or notch — in other words, to dent.

How do you indent the first line of a paragraph?

Paragraph Indentation. Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation (the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar to create indentation.

What are the rules for indentation in an essay?

The rules for indentation might vary depending on which college or university you are affiliated with. As a thumb rule, all paragraphs in a section, except the first one, start with an indent. The opening paragraph will be flush left, meaning it does not have an indent.

Do you indent under each paragraph in your magazine?

The Week (a major wonderful magazine) does the opposite: a blank line under each paragraph, no indentations.

What is the first line in a graph called?

A first-line in­dent on the first para­graph of any text is op­tional, be­cause it’s ob­vi­ous where the para­graph starts. first-line in­dent is the most com­mon way to sig­nal the start of a new para­graph.