In a coherent paragraph, each sentence relates clearly to the topic sentence or controlling idea, but there is more to coherence than this. If a paragraph is coherent, each sentence flows smoothly into the next without obvious shifts or jumps.
A coherent paragraph also highlights the ties between old information and new information to make the structure of ideas or arguments clear to the reader. If you have written a very long paragraph, one that fills a double-spaced typed page, for example, you should check it carefully to see if it should start a new paragraph where the original paragraph wanders from its controlling idea.
On the other hand, if a paragraph is very short only one or two sentences, perhaps , you may need to develop its controlling idea more thoroughly, or combine it with another paragraph. A number of other techniques that you can use to establish coherence in paragraphs are described below. Repeat key words or phrases. Particularly in paragraphs in which you define or identify an important idea or theory, be consistent in how you refer to it. This consistency and repetition will bind the paragraph together and help your reader understand your definition or description.
Create parallel structures. Parallel structures are created by constructing two or more phrases or sentences that have the same grammatical structure and use the same parts of speech.
By creating parallel structures you make your sentences clearer and easier to read. In addition, repeating a pattern in a series of consecutive sentences helps your reader see the connections between ideas.
In the paragraph above about scientists and the sense of sight, several sentences in the body of the paragraph have been constructed in a parallel way. The parallel structures which have been emphasized help the reader see that the paragraph is organized as a set of examples of a general statement.
Be consistent in point of view, verb tense, and number. Becoming a Master Student. Read t h e passage. Highlight or underline necessary information hint: there are five important ideas. Write your summary. Most people drink orange juice and eat oranges because they are said to be rich in vitamin C.
There are also other foods that are rich in vitamin C. It is found in citrus fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, and carrots.
Vitamin C is important to our health. Do you really know how essential this nutrient is to our health and well-being? Our body needs to heal itself. Vitamin C can repair and prevent damage to the cells in our body and heal wounds.
It also keeps our teeth and gums healthy. That is not all. It protects our body from infections such as colds and flu and also helps us to get better faster when we have these infections.
That is why a lot of people drink orange juice and take vitamin C tablets every day. This wonderful vitamin is also good for our heart.
It protects the linings of the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood. In other words, it offers protection against heart disease. If we do not get enough vitamin C, which means we are not eating enough food that contains this vitamin, it can lead to serious diseases.
Lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which causes swollen gums, cheeks, fingers, hands, toes, and feet. In serious conditions, it can lead to bleeding from wounds, loss of teeth, and opening up of wounds. Therefore, make sure you have enough vitamin C in your diet. Quotes can be useful see Chapter 9 : Citations and Referencing , but in order to show you understand what you have read, you should paraphrase.
Paraphrasing is putting information into your words; it is an important skill to develop because when you do it, you are not only showing you understand what you have read, but you are also processing and adapting that information to your writing purpose. It is very important to remember when you are paraphrasing is you still need to include citations because although the words are yours, the ideas belong to the original authors, and you must give that person credit for the ideas again, we will look at this more in Chapter 9 : Citations and Referencing.
If you prefer rewriting, try not to copy but use your own paraphrasing of the material. If a concept is difficult, put it in your own terms with a concrete example so you understand it.
Try to put it in the vocabulary of the course. When you paraphrase material from a source, restate the information from an entire sentence or passage in your own words, using your own original sentence structure. A paraphrased source differs from a summarized source in that you focus on restating the ideas, not condensing them.
Again, it is important to check your paraphrase against the source material to make sure it is both accurate and original. Inexperienced writers sometimes use the thesaurus method of paraphrasing; that is, they simply rewrite the source material, replacing most of the words with synonyms. This constitutes a misuse of sources. In his draft, Jorge frequently paraphrased details from sources.
At times, he needed to rewrite a sentence more than once to ensure he was paraphrasing ideas correctly. Below is a passage with examples of how he paraphrased and adapted the information to create his own paragraph.
Read the passage from a website. According to Heinz , dieters nearly always get great results soon after they begin following a low-carbohydrate diet, but these results tend to taper off after the first few months, particularly because many dieters find it difficult to follow a low-carbohydrate diet plan consistently.
People usually see encouraging outcomes shortly after they go on a low-carbohydrate diet, but their progress slows down after a short while, especially because most discover that it is a challenge to adhere to the diet strictly Heinz, After reviewing the paraphrased sentence, Jorge realized he was following the original source too closely.
He did not want to quote the full passage verbatim, so he again attempted to restate the idea in his own style. Because it is hard for dieters to stick to a low-carbohydrate eating plan, the initial success of these diets is short lived Heinz, On a sheet of paper, paraphrase each of the following passages.
They were the years when organized crime ruled the cities, and the police seemed powerless to do anything against it. Classical music was forgotten while jazz spread throughout the land, and men like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie became the heroes of the young. The question is: Just how high can a building go? Structural engineer William LeMessurier has designed a skyscraper nearly one half mile high, twice as tall as the Sears Tower.
And architect Robert Sobel claims that existing technology could produce a story building. During the twenties, lawlessness and social nonconformity prevailed. In cities, organized crime flourished without police interference, and, in spite of nationwide prohibition of liquor sales, anyone who wished to buy a drink knew where to get one.
Musicians like Louis Armstrong become favourites, particularly among young people, as many turned away from highly respectable classical music to jazz. The Sears Tower is a world marvel, and it is unknown how much higher skyscrapers of the future will rise.
However, the design of one twice as tall as the Sears Tower is already on the boards, and an architect, Robert Sobel, thinks we currently have sufficient know how to build a skyscraper with over storeys Bachman, , p. On a sheet of paper, follow these steps to practi s e paraphrasing.
Read the following article and compose a summary of to words. Determine what the key points are and paraphrase accordingly. Make sure all the points you choose are important to the understanding and overall meaning of the essay. Heroin as One of the Most Lethal Drugs Among prohibited narcotic substances, heroin has been classified as one of the most addictive and detrimental.
In a recent research study run by the Institute of Narcotic Examination in Rollesque, Nevada, heroin ranked 2. This result was also confirmed by scores of research held in London by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Studies Perez, An opiate processed from morphine, heroin is delineated as a lethal drug. The common form of heroin sold in streets looks like a white or brown gummy substance with a high consistency of tar. Heroin is injected into the human body through a hypothermic needle directly in a muscle or a particular blood vein.
It can also be smoked like cigarettes. There is the possibility of it being successfully mixed with drugs or snorted as cocaine. Street heroin is often mixed with other substances like sugar, starch, quinine, poisons or even powder milk to dilute the effect.
Short and long term effects of heroin use have different levels of withdrawal, reinforcements, tolerance, dependency and intoxication. Heroin reduces pain and mimics the traits of endorphins, which causes the human brain to experience pleasure Hollow, The central neural system becomes supersaturated with endorphin like substances, and when the effect of heroin ends, individuals begin to feel the need for a new injection to prolong pleasure Hollow, The degree of heroin addictiveness can be measured by the severe withdrawal symptoms which it induces in individuals.
Among the most common symptoms, one can enlist the following: a warm flush feeling in the skin, an ill mood and depression, vomiting, itching, nausea, and heavy pain in joints. Heroin addiction causes numerous side effects to the physical body.
Blood vein structure collapses, and a risk of receiving a heart infection, liver disease, or abscesses dramatically increases. Long term addiction to the drug takes the form of a chronic, relapsing disease.
Long term use of heroin prompts users to gradually increase doses. Once a user is in the chronic stage, this implies such symptoms as restlessness, bone and muscle pain, insomnia, and intense withdrawal stages lasting for 24 to 48 hours after heroin has been taken Lichter, The treatment of heroin addiction includes a thorough detoxification program, which helps to minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
The use of medications for treatment along with therapy helps individuals cope. Methadone programs, buprenorphine, together with behavioral therapies aid to recover from addiction Perez, These aspects are important, as both behavioral and pharmacological interventions can effectively normalize addiction levels, brain functions and social behavior. These methods are used in a varied combination to cure the withdrawal, tolerance, dependence and intoxication elements to minimize the addictive qualities of heroin.
Hollow, M. Heroin: The Ultimate Drug. Chicago: Running Hill Books. Lichter, M. The Dark Hole of Heroin. Boston: Sidetrack Books. Perez, G. Studies of Heroin. New York: Gold Beard Press.
This section addresses paragraph composition. In the next chapter, we will look at identifying common assignment purposes and how to select appropriate content for a particular audience, but here we will look at what actually makes up a paragraph.
Composing an effective paragraph requires a method similar to building a house. You may have the finest content, or materials, but if you do not arrange them in the correct order, then the final product will not hold together very well.
Imagine reading one long block of text, with each idea blurring into the next. Even if you are reading a thrilling novel or an interesting news article, you will likely very quickly lose interest in what the author. During the writing process, it is helpful to position yourself as a reader. Ask yourself whether you can focus easily on each point you make.
One technique that effective writers use is to begin a fresh paragraph for each new idea they introduce. Paragraphs separate ideas into logical, manageable chunks. One paragraph focuses on only one main idea and presents coherent sentences to support that one point.
Because all the sentences in one paragraph support the same point, a paragraph may stand on its own. To create longer assignments and to discuss more than one point, writers group together paragraphs. Topic sentence. The topic sentence is the main idea of the paragraph. The body is composed of the supporting sentences that develop the main point. The conclusion is the final sentence that summarizes the main point.
The foundation of a good paragraph is the topic sentence, which expresses the main idea of the paragraph. The topic sentence relates to the thesis, or main point, of the essay and guides the reader by signposting what the paragraph is about. All the sentences in the rest of the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.
This section covers the major components of a paragraph and examines how to develop an effective topic sentence. Paragraph Length. To grab attention or to present succinct supporting ideas, a paragraph can be fairly short and consist of two to three sentences. A paragraph in a complex essay about some abstract point in philosophy or archaeology can be two-thirds of a page or more in length. As long as the writer maintains close focus on the topic and does not ramble, a long paragraph is acceptable.
In general, try to keep the paragraphs longer than one sentence but shorter than two-thirds of a page of double spaced text, or roughly 75 to words in length. Journalistic style often calls for brief two- or three-sentence paragraphs because of how people read the news, both online and in print. Blogs and other online information sources often adopt this paragraphing style, too. Readers often skim the first paragraphs of a great many articles before settling on the handful of stories they want to read in detail.
In such cases, you should divide the paragraph into two or more shorter paragraphs, adding a topic statement or some kind of transitional word or phrase at the start of the new paragraph.
Transition words or phrases show the connection between the two ideas. In all cases, however, be guided by what your instructor wants and expects to find in your draft.
Pick up any newspaper or magazine and read the first sentence of an article. Are you fairly confident that you know what the rest of the article is about? If so, you have likely read the topic sentence.
It serves to orient the reader and provides an indication of what will follow in the rest of the paragraph. Read the following example. Creating a national set of standards for math and English education will improve student learning in many provinces. This topic sentence declares a favourable position for standardizing math and English education. After reading this sentence, a reader might reasonably expect the writer to provide supporting details and facts as to why standardizing math and English education might improve student learning in many provinces.
If the purpose of the essay is actually to evaluate education in only one particular province or to discuss math or English education specifically, then the topic sentence is misleading. When writing a draft of an essay, allow a friend or colleague to read the opening line of your first paragraph.
Ask your reader to predict what your paper will be about. If he or she is unable to guess your topic accurately, you should consider revising your topic sentence so that it clearly defines your purpose in writing. Different writers may use the same main idea but can steer their paragraph in a number of different directions according to their stance on the subject. Read the following examples. Marijuana is a destructive influence on teens and causes long-term brain damage. The anti-nausea properties in marijuana are a lifeline for many cancer patients.
Legalizing marijuana would create a higher demand for Class A and Class B drugs. Circle the main idea and underline the controlling idea in each of the following topic sentences. Exercising three times a week is the only way to maintain good physical health.
Raising the legal driving age to 21 would decrease road traffic accidents. Owning a business is the only way to achieve financial success. Dog owners should be prohibited from taking their pets on public beaches. A good topic sentence provides an accurate indication of what will follow in the rest of the paragraph.
Weak example. People rarely give firefighters the credit they deserve for such a physically and emotionally demanding job. The paragraph is about a specific incident that involved firefighters; therefore, this topic sentence is too general. Stronger example. During the October riots, Unit 3B went beyond the call of duty. This topic sentence is more specific and indicates that the paragraph will contain information about a particular incident involving Unit 3B.
A good topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea or opinion. In this paper, I am going to discuss the rising suicide rate among young professionals.
This topic sentence provides a main idea, but it does not present a controlling idea or thesis. The rising suicide rate among young professionals is a cause for immediate concern. A good topic sentence is clear and easy to follow. In general, writing an essay, thesis, or other academic or nonacademic document is considerably easier and of much higher quality if you first construct an outline, of which there are many different types.
This topic sentence includes a main idea and a controlling thesis, but both are buried beneath the confusing sentence structure and unnecessary vocabulary. These obstacles make it difficult for the reader to follow. Most forms of writing can be improved by first creating an outline. This topic sentence cuts out unnecessary verbiage and simplifies the previous statement, making it easier for the reader to follow.
A good topic sentence does not include supporting details. This topic sentence includes a supporting detail that should be included later in the paragraph to back up the main point. Introducing a salary cap would improve the game of baseball for many reasons. This topic sentence omits the additional supporting detail so that it can be expanded upon later in the paragraph. A good topic sentence engages the reader by using interesting vocabulary.
The military deserves better equipment. This topic sentence includes a main idea and a controlling thesis, but the language is bland and unexciting. The appalling lack of resources provided to the military is outrageous and requires our immediate attention.
This topic sentence reiterates the same idea and controlling thesis, but adjectives such as appalling and immediate better engage the reader. Choose the most effective topic sentence from the following sentence pairs.
This paper will discuss the likelihood of the Liberals winning the next election. To boost their chances of winning the next election, the Liberals need to listen to public opinion. The unrealistic demands of union workers are crippling the economy for three main reasons. Union workers are crippling the economy because companies are unable to remain competitive as a result of added financial pressure.
Authors are losing money as a result of technological advances. The introduction of new technology will devastate the literary world. Rap music is produced by untalented individuals with oversized egos. This essay will consider whether talent is required in the rap music industry. Using the tips on developing effective topic sentences in this section, create a topic sentence on each of the following subjects.
Remember to include a controlling idea as well as a main idea. This method saves busy colleagues precious time and effort trying to figure out the main points and relevant details. Headings are another helpful tool. In a text-heavy document, break up each paragraph with individual headings. These serve as useful navigation aids, enabling colleagues to skim through the document and locate paragraphs that are relevant to them.
Learning how to develop a good topic sentence is the first step toward writing a solid paragraph. Once you have composed your topic sentence, you have a guideline for the rest of the paragraph. To complete the paragraph, a writer must support the topic sentence with additional information and summarize the main point with a concluding sentence.
This section identifies the three major structural parts of a paragraph and covers how to develop a paragraph using transitional words and phrases. An effective paragraph contains three main parts: a topic sentence, the body, and the concluding sentence.
A topic sentence is often the first sentence of a paragraph. The body of the paragraph usually follows, containing supporting details. Supporting sentences help explain, prove, or enhance the topic sentence. The concluding sentence is the last sentence in the paragraph. It reminds the reader of the main point by restating it in different words. Read the following paragraph. The topic sentence is underlined for you.
After reading the new TV guide this week , I had just one thought—why are we still being bombarded with reality shows? This season, the plague of reality television continues to darken our airwaves.
Along with the return of viewer favourites, we are to be cursed with yet another mindless creation. He chose Wichita State University in Kansas. His major was Bio-medical Engineering. He stayed there for bout six months and then he moved again to a very small town called Greensboro to study in a small college. When did he move to Amman, Jordan? How many brothers did he have? What was his major in Wichita State University? Where did he go after Wichita, Kansas? Experts say that people adults need at least 6 hours of sleep every night.
If they do not get enough sleep they will feel sleepy the whole day. Younger kids need at least 9 hours of sleep every night. After school — activities can take away from sleep time for kids. Also parents with busy life styles stay up late and their kids do the same. Kids with little sleep have hard time sleeping at night and this will affect their daily routine and make them less active and productive trough the day in school.
Most parents are not aware of what goes on when their kids go to sleep and how the brain works when we are asleep. Many people think that the brain shuts down when we go to sleep but it is the opposite. Experts say that the brain is very active when we are asleep and could be even more active than when we are awake.
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