Scribd
Upload
109 views4 pages

Enhancing Paragraph Unity and Coherence

practice on paragraph

Uploaded by

tranght
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
109 views4 pages

Enhancing Paragraph Unity and Coherence

practice on paragraph

Uploaded by

tranght
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Paragraph Unity and Coherence

Activity Type Introduction


Reading and Writing In this paragraph unity and coherence worksheet, students
Exercises: identifying, analyse and revise a paragraph with unity problems and complete
rewriting sentences, table another paragraph to improve its coherence with transition words
completion, gap-fill and phrases.

Procedure
Focus
Give each student a copy of the two-page worksheet.
Paragraph unity and
coherence
Students begin by reading an explanation of unity in paragraph
writing. The students then choose the outline that has complete
unity.
Aim
To understand the Exercise A - Answers
importance of unity and
coherence in writing. Outline 2 shows complete unity

Next, students read a paragraph and identify six errors with unity.
Preparation The students then rewrite the problematic sentences and choose
the sentence that does not belong in the paragraph.
Make one copy of the
two-page worksheet for
Exercise B - Possible answers
each student.
1. I ncorrect: There are a number of reasons why everybody
Level should learn a foreign language and travel more.

Intermediate (B1) C
 orrect: There are a number of reasons why everybody
should learn a foreign language.

Time 2. Incorrect: Firstly, there a number of emotional benefits...


40 minutes
Correct: Firstly, there a number of cognitive benefits...

3. I ncorrect: For instance, there is little evidence that people


who are bi-lingual...

C
 orrect: For instance, there is a lot of evidence that people
who are bi-lingual...

4. I ncorrect: In addition, it opens up more employment and


business opportunities.

C
 orrect: In addition, it opens up more employment and
educational opportunities.

(continued on the next page)

Note: This resource can be edited using a PDF editor.

[Link] © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.


TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Paragraph Unity and Coherence

Activity Type Procedure continued


Reading and Writing 7. I ncorrect: This is because it breaks down the communication
Exercises: identifying, barrier that may exist when two people are not able to meet
rewriting sentences, table face-to-face.
completion, gap-fill
C
 orrect: This is because it breaks down the communication
barrier that may exist when two people are not able to
Focus converse in the same language.
Paragraph unity and
coherence 9. And it can help you earn more money.
(This sentence is redundant and should be deleted.)

Aim After that, students read about coherence in paragraph writing.

To understand the Students then add transition words and phrases to a table
importance of unity and according to their function.
coherence in writing.
Exercise C - Possible answers
Preparation
Function Transition words or phrases
Make one copy of the
two-page worksheet for new or additional idea in addition, moreover, furthermore
each student. different or contrasting conversely, nevertheless, although,
idea despite
cause or effect therefore, thus, hence, since
Level
example for instance, that is, to demonstrate
Intermediate (B1)
end of paragraph to conclude, to sum up

Time Finally, students complete a paragraph by adding appropriate


40 minutes transition words and phrases to improve its coherence.

Exercise D - Possible answers

1. The first reason...


2. For instance...
3. Furthermore...
4. Another reason...
5. This is because...
6. To conclude...

Note: This resource can be edited using a PDF editor.

[Link] © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.


PARAGRAPH WRITING

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Paragraph Unity and Coherence

Unity in paragraph writing means that all the sentences in the paragraph directly link to the
topic sentence. Any extra information in any part of the paragraph that is not related to the
controlling idea in the topic sentence is considered to be off topic.

A. Which of the outlines below shows complete unity? Tick your answers.

Outline 1

Topic sentence: Australia is home to a number of deadly creatures.


Supporting idea 1: Koalas
Supporting idea 2: Venomous snakes
Supporting idea 3: Crocodiles

Outline 2

Topic sentence: America is home to a number of successful technology companies.


Supporting idea 1: Apple
Supporting idea 2: Facebook
Supporting idea 3: Amazon

Outline 3

Topic sentence: Living in a large city has certain benefits.


Supporting idea 1: A slower and more relaxed pace of life
Supporting idea 2: More affordable housing
Supporting idea 3: Less pollution

B. Read the paragraph below. Identify and underline six errors with unity. Write the
numbers of the problematic sentences in the brackets and rewrite them in the spaces
provided. One of the incorrect sentences should be deleted rather than rewitten.

1. There are a number of reasons why everybody should learn a foreign language and travel
more. 2. Firstly, there a number of emotional benefits to acquiring a second language. 3. For
instance, there is little evidence that people who are bi-lingual tend to be more creative and
better problem solvers and are less likely to suffer dementia in later life. 4. In addition, it
opens up more employment and business opportunities. 5. This is particularly true for global
languages such as English, with people proficient in these languages being attractive to multi-
national corporations and being able to study abroad. 6. Finally, being able to speak another
language can help people increase their circle of friends. 7. This is because it breaks down the
communication barrier that may exist when two people are not able to meet face-to-face. 8.
To sum up, not being a mono-lingual person is certainly advantageous. 9. And it can help you
earn more money.

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[ ] ............................................................................................................................

[Link] © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.


PARAGRAPH WRITING

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Paragraph Unity and Coherence

A paragraph must have coherence, which means the sentences are arranged logically, and the
relationships between important ideas are clearly shown. Using transition words and phrases is
one way to achieve coherence.

C. The table below shows transitions according to their function. Add more transition
words and phrases for each function.

Function Transition words or phrases


additionally, the first reason
To indicate a new or additional idea

however, in contrast
To indicate a different or contrasting idea

as a result, consequently, because, due to


To indicate a cause or an effect

for example, to illustrate


To indicate an example

in conclusion, in summary
To signal the end of a paragraph

D. Complete the paragraph with suitable transitions from the table above.

More students should consider taking a year off to travel independently after graduating from

high school. (1) ............................... why taking a gap year is highly recommended is that

it provides a valuable opportunity for young people to develop themselves and become more

well-rounded. (2) ............................... many people who have taken a gap year report

that the experience made them feel more independent and confident because travelling

forced them to be more self reliant. They also found that experiencing different cultures

and meeting people from diverse backgrounds made them more open minded and tolerant.

(3) ............................... students, who have taken a gap year, in many cases, enter university

more motivated and focused. This is because taking a year off between high school and university

provides a good opportunity for students who may feel burnt out from the demanding process

of university entrance preparation to unwind and rejuvenate.

(4) ............................... for not going straight from high school to university is it can make

a good impression on future employers. (5) ............................... companies are increasingly

seeking staff that have cultural awareness, can work independently, and show initiative, which

are qualities independent travel develops. (6) ............................... rather than jumping

straight into university after high school, young people should contemplate taking a gap year.

[Link] © 2021 Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Rewriting sentences to improve unity enhances paragraph effectiveness by ensuring that every sentence supports the topic sentence and contributes to the overall argument or narrative. This clarity and focus make the paragraph more persuasive and easier for readers to understand, improving the communication of ideas .

Strategies to fix coherence issues include using and checking for appropriate transition words to guide the flow of ideas, ensuring each sentence logically follows the previous one, and aligning each point with the main topic. Additionally, reading the paragraph aloud can help identify awkward transitions or gaps in logic .

Transition words enhance coherence by logically linking ideas, indicating the relationship between them, and ensuring that the flow of information is smooth and organized. This helps readers easily follow the progression of the writer’s argument or narrative .

Paragraph unity is important because it ensures that all sentences within a paragraph directly relate to the main topic or controlling idea presented in the topic sentence, preventing extraneous information from causing confusion or distraction .

Transition words reflect different functions such as introducing additional ideas (e.g., 'moreover', 'furthermore'), contrasting ideas ('conversely', 'nevertheless'), or showing cause and effect ('therefore', 'thus'). Each serves to clearly define the relationship between concepts or arguments and guide the reader through the progression of ideas .

Addressing unity and coherence errors during editing helps refine the focus of the writing, ensuring all content is relevant to the topic and that ideas flow logically. This process eliminates distractions and enhances clarity, making the writing more persuasive and accessible to readers .

Using imprecise or incorrect transition words can disrupt the logical flow of a paragraph, confuse readers, and obscure the relationship between ideas. This lack of clarity can lead to misunderstandings about the content and reduce the overall effectiveness of the writing .

A sentence is considered redundant if it repeats information already presented or does not add new or necessary information to the paragraph. Redundant sentences should be deleted to maintain paragraph unity and coherence, ensuring focus on the main idea without unnecessary repetition .

A paragraph can be structured to maintain coherence by using transition words that clearly delineate the relationship between ideas. For example, starting with a topic sentence to introduce the main idea, followed by supporting sentences linked by transitions like 'firstly', 'in addition', and 'therefore', which help readers connect each point seamlessly .

A paragraph lacking unity often includes sentences that are not directly related to the topic sentence, contain irrelevant information, or deviate from the main point. These features can be identified by checking if each sentence directly supports or elaborates on the topic sentence. To correct these issues, irrelevant sentences should be removed or rewritten to align with the controlling idea .

You might also like