is it alright to basically have a "filler" paragraph? it serves no real purpose other than it gives a setting and shows time passing.

Question

anonymous · Answer

depends on if the paragraph makes sense in the story and if it transitions well. If it seems out of place and awkward, when read out loud, you should change or delete it.

jagatuba · Answer

You should avoid using filler always in essays and papers for school and usually avoid it in fiction as well. If it is not important for the story or for the paper, then why is it there? If it is just to show the passage of time, use a transitional phrase to express it.

[The paragraph describes a situation that causes John to take off running] When John felt it was safe to stop running, he fell flat on his back in the grass.

The next day, John awoke with the morning dew damp on his clothes and wondered if he had been dreaming.