HowTo_ParagraphNonRunin

How to display \paragraph on a line of its own instead of as a run-in headline

By default, the headings of \paragraph and \subparagraph in the KOMA-Script classes are formatted as so-called run-in headlines, as in the standard classes. This means that the headings are not placed as separate lines above the following paragraph, but as an introduction at the beginning of the paragraph:

The name of the commands \paragraph and \subparagraph is derived from this.

In some cases, however, it is desired that the headings are also formatted as free-standing instead, i.e. as a kind of \subsubsubsection. With the KOMA-Script classes, this is quite simple with the help of \RedeclareSectionCommand. The command has a runin attribute, which can be set to false. However, you should then also change the setting afterskip, as otherwise a negative space may be inserted after the heading and the text after the heading may cover it. In addition, the setting afterindent=false should be explicitly specified to deactivate indentation of the paragraph after the heading:

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage{blindtext}

\RedeclareSectionCommand[%
 runin=false,% not runin
 afterskip=0.5\baselineskip plus 0.5\baselineskip minus 0.25\baselineskip,% space below the heading
 afterindent=false,% no indent after the heading
]{paragraph}
\RedeclareSectionCommand[%
 runin=false,% not runin
 afterskip=0pt,% no space below the heading
 indent=0pt,% no indent of the heading
 afterindent=false% no indent after the heading
]{subparagraph}

\begin{document}
\section{section}
We have a section starting with \verb|\section|.
\subsection{Subsection}
We have here a subsection starting with \verb|\subsection|.
\subsubsection{Subsubsection}
\blindtext
\paragraph{Paragraph}
\blindtext
\subparagraph{Subparagraph}
\blindtext
\end{document}

Incidentally, if the levels \paragraph and \subparagraph are also to be numbered, the counter secnumdepth must be changed accordingly, for example

\setcounter{secnumdepth}{\paragraphnumdepth}% numbering including \paragraph

or

\setcounter{secnumdepth}{\subparagraphnumdepth}% numbering including \subparagraph

However, it should be noted that deep numbering should be avoided for stylistic reasons. It is also recommended that you limit yourself to a maximum of three heading levels (beside \part).

Of course, the reverse approach would also be conceivable, for example formatting \subsubsection as a runin headline. To do this, set runin=true and adjust beforeskip, afterskip and, if necessary, afterindent according to your own wishes.