The following will position two paragraphs next to each other.

<DIV style="float: left; width: 50%">Paragraph 1</DIV>
<DIV style="float: clear">Paragraph 2</DIV>

As well as:

<P>
<SPAN STYLE="position: relative; left: 50%; width: 50%">
<SPAN STYLE="position: absolute; left: -50%; width: 50%"> Paragraph 1</SPAN>
Paragraph 2</SPAN>
</P>