Week 2 - Paragraphs Flashcards
What is coherence in a paragraph?
Coherence makes a paragraph understandable to a reader. You can help create coherence in your paragraphs by using logical and verbal connections. You can develop logical connections by making sure that each sentence in a paragraph relates in some way to the topic sentence. You can also create these connections through the use of words (“verbal connections”). For example, you can:
Repeat key words
Use synonyms for key words
Use pronouns to link sentences together
Link sentences with transition words
What is development in a paragraph?
Development refers to the support you have for your topic sentence. A well-developed paragraph should have an adequate number of sentences to support the main idea. What’s an “adequate number”? That depends on the idea, and how much development it needs. Here are some ways you can make sure your paragraphs are developed. You can:
Use examples
Give data (for example, statistics, data, information, examples)
Quote others, either directly or through paraphrasing
Tell a story
Define your key words
Compare or contrast ideas
Examine causes and effects
What are signposts in paragraphs? Give some examples.
A signpost helps travelers find their way. In writing, a signpost helps readers find their way; it can be a phrase, sentence, or paragraph that explains to the reader where the writer has been, or where the writer is going. Here are some example signposts:
The purpose of this paper is….
The previous research has shown…
The next section will illustrate…
Signposts are important for readers, as they help them understand your organization and thought process.
what are transitions in paragraphs? Give some examples.
Transitions are phrases or sentences that help you move from from one idea to the next. Transitions are often used at the ends of paragraphs to create a connection between ideas, from one paragraph to the next. Common transitions include:
moreover
nevertheless
in addition
similarly
on the other hand
in conclusion
What are three ways to organise your writing in essays?
- Background information first
- The points of your argument, one per paragraph, often in increasing importance.
- A concession.
What is background information in organising your writing?
Background information first. Think about what your reader needs to know about your topic to understand the rest of your paper. If your topic is about overpopulation in a specific city, you should provide data about the population as well as your definition of overpopulation.
What is the points of your argument in organising your writing?
The points of your argument, one per paragraph, often in increasing importance. In other words, each paragraph presents part of your evidence and argument. Choose the most important piece of evidence and build towards that.
What is a concession in organising your writing?
A concession. A concession is a statement that shows you have considered other opinions, but you still believe, from the evidence, that your opinion is correct. Here is an example concession sentence:
While Jones (1999) argues that overpopulation does not have serious effects on the environment, it is clear that overpopulation puts excessive demands on the water supply and on public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, with traffic problems happening as a result.
Note that a good concession does not simply say “some people disagree.” It gives details about who disagrees, and why. It then goes on to detail why your research or argument is still the correct outcome. Concession paragraphs or sentences can come in different places in your argument – you can decide, based on where it fits best.
Here are some transitions you can use with a concession paragraph: although it is true that, certainly, despite, granted that, however, indeed, granted, I admit that, in fact, in spite of, it may appear that, nevertheless, sometimes, still, yet
What is a concession in organising your writing?
A concession. A concession is a statement that shows you have considered other opinions, but you still believe, from the evidence, that your opinion is correct. Here is an example concession sentence:
While Jones (1999) argues that overpopulation does not have serious effects on the environment, it is clear that overpopulation puts excessive demands on the water supply and on public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, with traffic problems happening as a result.
Note that a good concession does not simply say “some people disagree.” It gives details about who disagrees, and why. It then goes on to detail why your research or argument is still the correct outcome. Concession paragraphs or sentences can come in different places in your argument – you can decide, based on where it fits best.
Here are some transitions you can use with a concession paragraph: although it is true that, certainly, despite, granted that, however, indeed, granted, I admit that, in fact, in spite of, it may appear that, nevertheless, sometimes, still, yet
