Ok, I have blogged about how to write introductions and conclusions, and also how to write the parts in between. Today: how to write a paragraph. In all honesty, I have never really thought about how to construct paragraphs. In fact, I laughed when I read LSE's Writing for Research advice because I am absolutely guilty of some of the "common paragraph problems." I often split paragraphs just because they are getting too long and struggle with what to do about one sentence paragraphs. For the official record, this often happens when referees ask me to add references, and I don't know where to put them. Take away: include all important references in the first submission.
In any case, my main message about writing paragraphs is actually not that you need to very carefully follow any formula. What I want you to get from this post (especially my three students going on the market this coming year!) is that (a) writing is important and (b) that it is hard. I know you are busy with coding new specifications and running many robustness checks, etc., but please please, give yourself some time for writing. Job market paper writers, maybe have another look at this old post on how to write a paper.
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