So, how long is a paragraph *supposed* to be? The short answer: it depends! There's no magic number of sentences etched in stone. The key is readability and clarity. Think of a paragraph as a mini-essay focusing on a single, unified idea.
While there's no strict rule, aim for 3-5 sentences as a general guideline. Too short (one or two sentences), and you risk the idea feeling underdeveloped. Too long (8+ sentences), and you risk losing your reader's attention.
Consider your audience and purpose. A blog post benefits from shorter paragraphs for easy skimming. Academic papers might require longer, more detailed paragraphs. Prioritize clear communication and break up large blocks of text. Ultimately, the "right" length is whatever serves your message best. Edit ruthlessly to ensure each sentence contributes meaningfully to the central idea.