Question

The first line of every new paragraph should be:

a. Left-aligned and indented one tab space (usually 0.5 inch)
b. Left-aligned without any indentation
c. Right-aligned

Answer 1

The first line of a new paragraph should be left-aligned and indented by half an inch, a convention widely used in academic writing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first line of every new paragraph should be left-aligned and indented one tab space, which is usually about 0.5 inch. This standard approach to indentation is commonly adopted in academic writing and formal documents to clearly delineate the beginning of a new paragraph.

While different formats may require alternative rules (for example, block formatting in business letters suggests no indentation, but with increased spacing between paragraphs), academic styles like MLA and APA commonly adhere to the half-inch paragraph indentation. Similarly, block quotations and certain references are also indented one-half inch to set them apart visually from the rest of the text. This consistent application of indentation improves the overall readability and organization of written work.