When to start a new paragraph

My daughter is doing some creative writing in school and has been asking for my input on a few things. She's in grade 7, but is always asking if she should start a new paragraph.

I think I remember someone at one of the guild meetings saying this and possibly even my creative writing instructor, but it's stuck with me.

Remember...

T-P-T-P

Topic - A change in the idea or topic happening.

Place - A change in location/scene.

Time - When a passage of time happens.

Person - A change in who is speaking.

When any of those things happen... a new paragraph is warranted.

Those are the basics that will get most people by.

Another rule I learned if the paragraph is getting a bit long, try reading it aloud. If you can't read it comfortably with one breath, you may want to break it up.