Paragraph

(Unity and Coherence)

 1. Understanding Unity
A paragraph has unity when all the sentences support the topic sentence or the implied topic sentence.
The following paragraph shows how unrelated sentences can confuse the meaning of a paragraph.

2. Topic Sentence

To achieve unity, a writer may use a topic sentence to state the main idea, or topic, of the paragraph.
Usually the topic is stated in the first sentence so that the reader knows what to expect. Notice how the
topic sentence is used in this model.

3. Implied Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is not always stated. For example, some paragraphs have an implied topic sentence
rather than a directly stated topic sentence.
*Notice how every sentence supports the implied main idea: Swimming gives Chan a sense of freedom.

Here's How: Revising for Unity

1. Determine whether each sentence supports the topic sentence or the implied topic sentence.
2. Remove or rewrite any sentence that does not clearly relate to or support the topic sentence.
3. Add information or details that clearly support the topic sentence.

PRACTICE Revising for Unity

Identify the topic sentence. Then revise the paragraph for unity.

He was born Ehrich Weiss in 1874. As a young child, he taught himself to make small items appear and
disappear. Because Ehrich's family was quite poor, he went to work for a locksmith at the early age of 12.
Most children of poor families worked to help support the family. Before long, Ehrich knew how to pick
almost any lock in existence. Thus began the career of Harry Houdini-one of the most remarkable magicians
of all time.
Coherence
A paragraph is coherent when all its sentences are related and flow logically from one to the next. You can
achieve coherence by using an appropriate pattern of organization and effective transitions. Five types of
paragraph organization are described: sequential, spatial, cause and effect, comparison and contrast, and
order of degree.

1. Sequential Order

Use sequential order to tell a story or relate historical events in the order they occurred, or chronologically.
Also use it to describe the step-by-step order of a process or procedure. Transitional words help to show
time relationships: after, first, next, then, and finally.

2. Spatial Order
Use spatial order to arrange details according to their position in space (for example, front to back, or near
to far). Spatial order is effective in descriptive paragraphs.
Here's How: Using Spatial Order

 Picture a person, a place, or a thing you want to describe.

 Choose a vantage point-the position from which you will "look" at the subject
 Choose the most appropriate method of organization: top to bottom, outside to inside, left to right,
or side to side.
 Use transitional words and phrases, such as above, in front of, and near.

3. Cause and Effect

Use cause-and-effect paragraphs to tell why something happened, why certain conditions exist, or what
resulted from an action. A cause is something that brings about a result. An effect is the result of a
cause.

Here's How Using Cause and Effect

 Clearly state the cause-and-effect relationship.

 Present facts in a logical order.
 Use facts, examples, and other details to show each cause and effect.
 Use transitions (because, since, and therefore) effectively.

4. Comparison and Contrast

Use comparison and contrast to discuss the similarities and the differences between two or more
subjects. In the following model, Maya Angelou uses a subject-by-subject organization.
 5. Order of Degree

Order of degree is a way of organizing supporting details from least to most or most to least. Details can be
grouped according to their usefulness, familiarity, or importance. Notice how Twain uses order of
importance to describe the characteristics of a steamboat pilot.

HOT TIP: To build your reader's interest or to create a strong persuasive argument, begin with the least
important item and proceed to the most important

Here's How: Using Order of Degree

1. Arrange your details according to their usefulness, familiarity, or importance
• least important most familiar
• more important Or less familiar
• most important unfamiliar
2. Use transitions like first furthermore, and last
Sentences to Paragraphs at a Glance

An effective sentence
o expresses ideas clearly
o does not confuse the reader
o answers questions the reader may have
An effective paragraph
 has a topic sentence or an implied topic sentence
 shows unity
 is coherent
 uses an appropriate pattern of organization