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1ComposeSolidUnifiedParagraphs.pptxCompose Solid, Unified Paragraphs
Provide Unity and Coherence
You achieve paragraph unity when every sentence in a paragraph relates to and develops the paragraph’s main idea.
Coherence is achieved when readers can follow the connection between one sentence and another and between each sentence and the main idea.
Coherence is needed not only within paragraphs but between paragraphs as well. You can connect paragraphs and show relationships by the use of transitions.
Guide Readers Through Source Material
As readers we cannot judge the validity of an assertion without some context being provided by the writer.
Readers are put off by an unattached direct quotation or startling observation that is documented correctly but given no context within the paper.
Consider the following paragraph from a paper on the British coal strike in the 1970s:
The social status for the coal miners was far from good. The country blamed them for the dimmed lights and the three- day workweek. They had been placed in the position of social outcasts and were beginning to “consider themselves another country.” Some businesses and shops had even gone so far as to refuse service to coal miners (Jones 32).
Who has learned that the coal miners felt ostracized or that the country blamed them?
People need to remember the positive things in their lives to maintain a state of psychological equilibrium. Positive thinking is important for health reasons. Of course, this is not a new idea at all; many doctors have testified to the benefits of an optimistic outlook in fighting diseases like cancer, AIDS and heart conditions. I myself have an aunt whose recovery from 5 heart diseases was nothing short of miraculous. Positive thinking can be even more effective than medicine in living a longer, healthier life (Trudeau 33-34).
Select Appropriate Signal Phrases.
Using signal phrases that identify the author of the source and when useful, the author’s credentials helps guide readers through the source material.
When you use signal phrases, try to vary both the words you use and their place in the sentence.
A signal phrase can be placed at the beginning of a sentence.
Example: According to Peter Jones, British correspondent for Newsweek, the social acceptance of coal miners was far from good.
It can also be placed in the middle of a sentence and is set off by commas.
Example: The social acceptance of coal miners, according to Peter Jones, British correspondent for Newsweek, was far from good.
According to Robin Trudeau, essayist and author of The Half-Empty Cup, people need to remember the positive things in their lives to maintain a state of psychological equilibrium. Trudeau also emphasizes the importance of positive thinking for health reasons. Of course, this is not a new idea at all; many doctors have testified to the benefits of an optimistic outlook in fighting diseases like cancer, AIDS and heart conditions. I myself have an aunt whose recovery from heart disease was nothing short of miraculous. But Trudeau goes further, asserting that positive thinking can be even more effective than medicine in living a longer, healthier life (33-34).
Finally, it can be placed at the end of a sentence.
Example: The social acceptance of coal miners was far from good, according to Peter Jones, British correspondent for Newsweek.
Whenever you provide a name and perhaps credentials for your source, you have these three sentence patterns to choose from.
Make a point to use all three options in your paper.
Word choice can be varied as well. Instead of writing “Peter Jones says” throughout your paper, consider some of these verb choices.
Jones asserts Jones contends Jones attests to
Jones states Jones thinks Jones points out
Jones concludes Jones stresses Jones believes
Jones presents Jones emphasizes Jones agrees with
Jones argues Jones confirms Jones speculates
Synthesize Source Material and Your Own Ideas
A smooth synthesis of source material is aided by signal phrases and parenthetical documentation because they mark the beginning and the ending of the material taken from a source.
A complete synthesis requires something more: your ideas about the source and the topic.
Use the Following Strategies to Accomplish Paragraph Synthesis
The paragraph has to have a controlling idea.
The paragraph combines information from several sources.
The information is presented in a blend of paraphrase and short quotations.
The student explains and discusses the information.
Your case should indicate critical thinking on your part — going beyond what the sources have said. Your own observations on and knowledge of the given subject are important, too.
End every paragraph with your own sentence, not with a quote. The essay is yours so your voice must dominate it.
