Hanging paragraph

What is a hanging paragraph according to ISO/IEC Directives Part 2?

If a clause contains one or more subclause(s), it should not have text attached to it. For example if the document includes the following structure:

Clause 5

I cannot write text here (this is considered a hanging paragraph) because there is a subclause 5.1

Subclause 5.1

I can write some text here... (because I don't have a subclause 5.1.1)

Subclause 5.2

I cannot write text here (this is considered a hanging paragraph) because there is a subclause 5.2.1

Subclause 5.2.1

I can write some text here....


Extract from ISO/IEC Directives Part 2, 22.3.3

Identify a hanging paragraph in OSD

A hanging paragraph is an unsupported structure of the document and it can be identified by a Orange Warning.

In the below example, Clause 7 has a subclause 7.1 and therefore no text is allow in clause 7 (shown in yellow).


Resolve a hanging paragraph

To resolve a ‘hanging paragraph’, simply add a subclause with the title ‘General’ (or other suitable title) and move the ‘hanging paragraph’ content into that subclause (as shown below), or move the ‘hanging paragraph’ elsewhere, or delete it.

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