The Elements of a Paragraph
1. Unity – this can be achieved when a writer can establish connection of every sentence in the paragraph to the main idea. It occurs when all the sentences in a paragraph directly support the topic sentence.
Disunity occurs when the writer has an unclear topic sentence. It is also a result of insufficient materials or indefinite purpose.
To achieve unity of thoughts in a paragraph, you may do the following:
1. Link sentences by means of pronouns referring to antecedents in the preceding sentences.
2. Link sentences by repeating key words or ideas from the preceding sentences.
3. Link sentences by using transitional expressions samples of which are given below.
a. Addition: moreover, further, likewise
b. Comparison: similarity, in like manner
c. Contrast: but, yet, however
d. Place: here, beyond, nearby
e. Purpose: to this end, for this purpose
f. Result: hence, therefore, accordingly
g. Summary: to sum up, on the whole, in other words
h. Time: meanwhile, at length, immediately
4. Link sentences by means of parallel structure – that is, by repetition of sentence pattern, phrases or words.
2. Coherence – can be achieved by an orderly arrangement or organization of sentences, and the proper use of connectives or transitional devices. Here are some methods of organizing the ideas in a paragraph:
1. Chronological order – arranging the sentences according to which event happened first or last. The order of ideas is within a time frame.
2. Point of view or spatial order – presents the details of the paragraph in accordance with the nearness or the distance of the subject to or from the writer. Hence, you may begin from
left to right, from near to remote, or vice versa.
The other way of making your sentences hang together is by using transitional devices. These are structures that tie sentences together. The proper use of these devices will help the reader keep track closely of the writer’s flow of thoughts. Some of the transitional devices are: pronouns, repetition of ideas, and connectives showing time, contrast, and cause – effect relationships.
3. Emphasis - can be secured in a paragraph through the principles of proportion (giving more space or sentences to more important ideas); variety (using various sentence structures); and repetition (making expressions for more important ideas appear in the text again and again).
Disunity occurs when the writer has an unclear topic sentence. It is also a result of insufficient materials or indefinite purpose.
To achieve unity of thoughts in a paragraph, you may do the following:
1. Link sentences by means of pronouns referring to antecedents in the preceding sentences.
2. Link sentences by repeating key words or ideas from the preceding sentences.
3. Link sentences by using transitional expressions samples of which are given below.
a. Addition: moreover, further, likewise
b. Comparison: similarity, in like manner
c. Contrast: but, yet, however
d. Place: here, beyond, nearby
e. Purpose: to this end, for this purpose
f. Result: hence, therefore, accordingly
g. Summary: to sum up, on the whole, in other words
h. Time: meanwhile, at length, immediately
4. Link sentences by means of parallel structure – that is, by repetition of sentence pattern, phrases or words.
2. Coherence – can be achieved by an orderly arrangement or organization of sentences, and the proper use of connectives or transitional devices. Here are some methods of organizing the ideas in a paragraph:
1. Chronological order – arranging the sentences according to which event happened first or last. The order of ideas is within a time frame.
2. Point of view or spatial order – presents the details of the paragraph in accordance with the nearness or the distance of the subject to or from the writer. Hence, you may begin from
left to right, from near to remote, or vice versa.
The other way of making your sentences hang together is by using transitional devices. These are structures that tie sentences together. The proper use of these devices will help the reader keep track closely of the writer’s flow of thoughts. Some of the transitional devices are: pronouns, repetition of ideas, and connectives showing time, contrast, and cause – effect relationships.
3. Emphasis - can be secured in a paragraph through the principles of proportion (giving more space or sentences to more important ideas); variety (using various sentence structures); and repetition (making expressions for more important ideas appear in the text again and again).
