Writing - Basics
Each Paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. It is a general statement that tells the reader what this paragraph is about and what the controlling idea is. Everything in the paragraph should relate to that idea. “If a sentence or idea in a paragraph does not relate to the main idea, the paragraph lacks unity.” You want the idea to be general yet specific enough that you can talk about one subject or aspect. If it is too general, your paragraph will be too long and cumbersome.
The Parts of a Paragraph
Topic Sentence
The Topic Sentence is the sentence that tells us the main idea. It states in a general way what the Paragraph is about. The Controlling Idea is a word or phrase that let’s us know what the author thinks about the topic. The reader should be able to ask questions about the controlling idea and expect the Paragraph to answer them.
Support
The Support in a paragraph explains or develops the Topic Sentence. This can be details, facts, examples, explanation, a narrative or statistics that (1) relates to the main idea and (2) explains or reinforces the main idea.
Conclusion
The Conclusion of a paragraph “wraps up” or summarizes the main idea and its support or comments on the main idea.
Those are the 3 parts of a paragraph. Also important are Unity, Coherence and Cohesion.
Unity is very important in writing. Everything in a paragraph should relate to the main idea of that paragraph. If it doesn’t, it should be removed from the paragraph and placed in another paragraph or omitted.
Coherence
Are the ideas in the paragraph arranged so they make sense? In a good paragraph, the ideas are arranged in an order that the reader can easily follow.
Cohesion is the use of connecting words or phrases to show the relationship between ideas. There are four kinds of connecting words:
(1) Key Words (2) Coordinators (3) Transitional Words and (4) Subordinators
Comments
Let me digest it...<。)#)))≦
Excellent explanation! Thanks so much Tim!
Expector Smith Think about a recipe for Potstickers (dumplings). Everything in the recipe should be about making the the Potstickers/dumpling. It wouldn't make sense to sudden;t start talking about walking the dog in the middle of the recipe. That is Unity. Everything relates to your topic.
Coherence has to do with the manner in which you present the information. In the Recipe you wouldn't start with the middle of the recipe, then go to the beginning and then to the end. That would just confuse the reader. Everything would relate to the topic (making dumplings) but it would be out of order. Putting things together within the paragraph so the reader can follow what you are saying easily is Coherence - put the related information together in the paragraph in a way that will make sense to the reader.
Helpful!
Unity and coherence have seemed to be the same thing - can you explain it further?