Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I'm Lauren Smyth, and recently I was asked whether it's acceptable to have a one- or two-sentence paragraph. My answer to this question is, quite simply: Newspapers.

Next time you read a news article, do something you would never ordinarily do: Pay close attention to the lengths of the paragraphs. Notice they're extremely short, with most having no more than three sentences. These short paragraphs are easy to understand, clearly divided by topic, and pack a serious punch.

OK, that's journalism. But you're probably wondering, what does this have to do with other types of writing? In my opinion, as a journalist and a novelist: Everything. What works in one genre can often work in others. The same type of writing that's precise, clear, coherent, and topical in journalism can be all of those things in novels, magazine articles, short stories, and, of course, academic papers.

That's your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.