Coherence
and Unity
Cut
and Paste: The Old School Way
Arrange These Sentences
Into a Paragraph
The following can be
arranged into a well-ordered paragraph.
Fit them into the
outline provided below, entering sentence numbers in the appropriate places.
1. Unity involves
sticking to the subject and to the
purpose, plus presenting the ideas as a consistent whole.
2. This relationship is
indicated by transitional words and phrases.
3. Unity and coherence
are essential to good writing.
4. Similarly, coherence
involves orderly arrangement, and at the same
time requires a clear indication of the relationship between the ideas.
5. Unity and coherence,
therefore, help to make writing clear and easy to read.
6. Unity implies balance
without excess in one part or lack in another.
_______________________________________________________
Controlling idea: (Your Topic sentence) ______
Sentences that move the
reader forward: ______
(Four sentences that
develop or advance the topic.)
Concluding sentence: _______
Go
to Part Two
Why waste time juggling
ideas in your head to determine the best order for your statements.
Use scissors for cutting along the dotted lines — or fold and tear along
the dotted lines.
The more complex the paragraph you are writing, the more you will find this
technique useful. In the future, separate your drafted statements into single
blocks, then arrange and rearrange until you are satisfied. If you are working
with someone else, you can both do this individually and compare results.
2 - Arrange the following
sentences into a coherent, unified paragraph.
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1. In any case, he must
"sell" his ideas, not by means of advertising but by being fully
aware of their value and making that value apparent to others.
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2. He must decide what are major points and
what is detail.
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3. Whatever the type of report, it has its
particular purpose, and the writer must clearly recognize what it is.
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4 He must know what data
to include and how to interpret them for the reader.
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5. His reports must
communicate effectively, and this depends
to a large extent on how well the writer has kept in mind the
purpose of the report he is to write.
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6. If conclusions are called for, he must
know how acceptance of them would benefit the reader or someone else.