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Lpe2501 Lecture Notes 5 (Week 11 - 12)
Lpe2501 Lecture Notes 5 (Week 11 - 12)
LECTURE NOTES 5
[WEEK 11 – 12]
Topics:
1. Unity
2. Coherence
• Repeat Key Nouns
• Use Consistent Pronouns
• Use Transition Signals
1. UNITY
If a paragraph contains more than one main idea or if it has any sentence that is off
topic, this will affect paragraph unity.
Read the paragraph below and identify if the paragraph has problem with unity.
Off topic sentence 1: Beijing is the most popular tourist destination in China.
a. The paragraph below has problem with unity as it contains one sentence that is
off topic. Identify and cross out the sentence that is off topic.
b. The paragraph below has problem with unity as it contains two sentences that are
off topic. Identify and cross out the sentences that are off topic.
1One of the factors for childhood obesity is the behavioural factor. 2It is seen that
children nowadays lack the required amount of physical activity due to the wide
exposure to sedentary indoor activities. 3In addition, children may eat large portions of
food per meal, sugar-rich foods and energy-rich foods. 4This energy gain should be
balanced with equal physical activity. 5However, as many children spend most of their
time watching television and playing video games, their energy intake becomes higher
than energy expenditure which leads to weight gain in children. 6These days,
advertising companies gain a profitable sum of money by advertising energy-rich and
sugar-rich foods. 7Instead of promoting such foods, advertising companies should
promote healthier food options. 8Hence, consuming more energy-dense foods or
snacks with large portion sizes and having reduced physical activity is an unhealthy
behaviour among children that contributes to obesity.
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c. The paragraph below not only has sentences that are off topic but also discusses
more than one main idea. Decide where the paragraph should be divided into two.
Underline each topic sentence. Then cross out the sentences that are off topic.
1Physical health is one of the factors that causes stress among college students.
2Their health can become compromised as they often adopt unhealthy eating habits,
sacrifice sleep for studying and social activities or consume alcohol and other
substances as part of their regular activities. 3Students who are chronically tired or feel
unwell due to these contributing factors will find that their performance or attendance
in class suffers. 4They also have lesser energy than healthy students to devote to
academic and social concerns, which results in their need to take more time to perform
tasks and study for classes. 5Consequently, the excessive time required to achieve
their goals can become an additional contributor to stress. 6Time management is an
important skill that is necessary to achieve a work life balance among working adults.
7Relationships with friends and significant others can also cause stress among college
students. 8This is due to the fact that college students are young adults who are still
developing emotionally; hence, maintaining or dissolving a relationship can be
especially taxing. 9Having friends who are supportive one minute but negative and
insulting the next adds unnecessary stress that can be detrimental to health. 10The
rise of suicide cases among youngsters is primarily caused by the inability to cope with
challenges in life. 11Therefore, students should work on conflict resolution skills and
communication skills in order to effectively cope with relationship stress.
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2. COHERENCE
Although paragraph unity is important, it is not the only factor that you need to consider
in writing a successful paragraph. In order for a paragraph to be well-structured, it
must also be coherent.
To achieve coherence in writing, the sentences must ‘hold together’; that is, the
movement from one sentence to the next must be logical and smooth. There must be
no sudden jumps. Each sentence must flow smoothly into the next sentence.
The easiest way to achieve coherence is to repeat key nouns. Key nouns refer to
the subject / topic you are writing about.
In this paragraph, the repetition of the key noun ‘robot’ smooths the flow of the
sentences and creates coherence.
The term ‘robot’ was first used in the 1920s, and today there are millions of
robots in use throughout the world, according to the International Federation of
Robotics. In the health industry, robots are being used more each day. Increasingly,
surgeons use robots for remote surgery or telesurgery. In other words, they operate
on patients without having to be in the same physical location. Although it might seem
scary to have a robot performing an operation, robotic surgery has many benefits.
Robots do not get distracted or become bored by repetitive tasks. Consequently,
patients of robotic surgery feel less pain during an operation and recover more quickly.
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Paragraph without coherence
The term ‘robot’ was first used in the 1920s, and today there are millions of
robots in use throughout the world, according to the International Federation of
Robotics. In the health industry, they are being used more each day. Increasingly,
surgeons used them for remote surgery or telesurgery. In other words, they operate
on patients without having to be in the same physical location. Although it might seem
scary to have them performing an operation, robotic surgery has many benefits. They
do not get distracted or become bored by repetitive tasks. Consequently, patients of
robotic surgery feel less pain during an operation and recover more quickly.
In the paragraph above, the word ‘robots’ has been replaced by the pronoun ‘they’ or
‘them’ after the first use. This overuse of pronouns makes the paragraph confusing
and less coherent. The reader will forget what the pronouns refer to.
There is no fixed rule about how often to repeat key nouns or when to use pronouns
as a substitute.
Tip: You should repeat a key noun instead of using a pronoun when the meaning is
unclear.
EXERCISE 2
a. Identify problems with the pronoun ‘it’ in this paragraph. Replace ‘it’ with the key
noun ‘Latin’ as necessary to make the paragraph more coherent.
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b. Identify problems with the pronoun ‘they’ in this paragraph. Replace ‘they’ with the
key noun ‘zebras’ as necessary to make the paragraph more coherent.
Zebras are primarily grazers and can exist on lower-quality vegetation. They
are preyed on mainly by lions and typically flee when threatened. They live in stable
harems consisting of an adult male or stallion, several adult females or mares and
their young or foals. They communicate with various vocalisations, body postures and
facial expressions. They bond with each other through social grooming. The dazzling
stripes that they have make them among the most recognisable mammals. They have
been featured in art and stories in Africa and beyond. Historically, they have been
highly sought after by exotic animal collectors, but unlike horses and donkeys, they
have never been truly domesticated.
Although repeating key nouns can make a paragraph more coherent, you do not want
to repeat the same words too often. You can use the synonyms of the key noun or
expressions that give the same meaning if you do not wish to use the key noun
repeatedly. Pronouns, when used correctly, are also good substitutes for key nouns.
EXERCISE 3
The key noun for the paragraph below is ‘curry’. Underline the words used as
substitute for ‘curry’.
Curry is a generic word used in Anglo-Indian and English cuisine for dishes with
a sauce seasoned with spices. The spices commonly include turmeric, cumin,
coriander, ginger and chili pepper, among others. In southern India, leaves from the
curry tree may also be included. Turmeric is the main ingredient for this spicy
concoction. With its warm and bitter taste, it is used to flavour and colour the sauce
along with the curry powder, butter and cheese. The precise selection of spices for
this famous dish is a matter of national or regional cultural tradition. Outside the Indian
subcontinent, the term ‘curry’ is used to describe dishes of Southeast Asia which use
coconut milk or spice pastes and are commonly eaten over rice. Curry may contain
fish, meat, poultry or shellfish, either alone or in combination with vegetables.
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II. CONSISTENT PRONOUNS
When you use pronouns, make sure that you use the same person and number
throughout your paragraph. For example, do not change from you to he (change of
person) or from he to they (change of number).
Notice the pronoun errors in this paragraph and the corrections [in brackets] made for
pronoun consistency.
EXERCISE 4
The paragraphs below contain inconsistent pronouns. Replace them with correct
pronouns to achieve pronoun consistency.
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b. Educators assert that computer technology provides students with many
advantages for language learning. Firstly, using computer technology provides a
student with learning autonomy. Students can be independent, and he or she can
have access to learning materials at any time of the day. For example, students
are able to access various authentic reading materials 24 hours a day either at
school or at home. Computer technology is also used to enhance interaction skills
while learning. By communicating online such as sending e-mails and joining
newsgroups, a student can interact with his or her own teachers or classmates.
For example, an online learning environment will help students who are shy or
inhibited to interact with your teachers and peers easily without the fear of face-to-
face meeting.
Transition signals are connecting words or phrases that strengthen the cohesion of
your writing. Transition signals act like bridges between parts of your writing. They link
your sentences and paragraphs together so that they flow smoothly and there are no
abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas. This will also allow your readers to follow your
ideas easily and clearly.
During the early twentieth century, [1] in addition to [1] Indicating extra
industrialisation, urban growth and technological information
development, the Australian society was experiencing a
transformation of the domestic ideal. [2] Consequently, people
[2] Indicating a
were subject to an increasing array of government and result
professional programmes aiming to manage and regulate
life, particularly family life. Some of these programs were
designed to counter social changes, others were designed to
engineer them. Intervention and influence took three forms.
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[3] Firstly, techniques designed to maximise efficiency were [3] To indicate
introduced into the home and scientific principles were applied sequence and
logically divide an
to its design. [4] In addition, housework and parenting
idea
methods were scrutinised and subject to unprecedented
[4] To add
standards. [5] Secondly, all aspects of reproduction attracted
emphasis
increasing intervention from government and the medical
[5] To indicate
profession. [6] Thirdly, state, professional and philanthropic
sequence and
groups began to take over the parental role within the family logically divide an
through instruction and policy. [7] Thus, the development of idea
'modern' social ideals brought regulation, intervention and [6] To indicate
ever-increasing unrealistic standards. sequence and
logically divide an
idea
[7] Indicating a
conclusion
To
introduce a • otherwise • or • if
choice or • unless
alternative
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To • in fact • that is
introduce a • indeed
restatement
or
explanation
To • clearly
introduce a • in brief
conclusion • in conclusion
or • in short
summary • in summary
To • accordingly • therefore • so
introduce a • as a result • consequently
result • as a • hence
consequence • thus
The students had to write journals; in addition, they had to compile the
journals for submission every week.
(transition signal in the middle)
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The words in the Transition Phrases and Conjunctive Adverbs column of the
chart can connect two independent clauses. In this case, use a semicolon
and a comma. For example:
Coordinators
This group of transition signals includes the seven coordinating conjunctions [for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so] and the five correlative conjunctions [both…and, not only…but
also, neither…nor, either…or, whether…or]. When a coordinator connects two
independent clauses, use a comma. For example:
Subordinators
A subordinator / subordinating conjunction is the first word in a dependent clause. A
dependent clause always begins with a subordinator and must be connected to an
independent clause to form a sentence. The sentence may or may not have a comma.
The general rule is this: Put a comma after a dependent clause but not in front of one.
Although (subordinator) their sales increased last year, their net profit declined.
(Dependent clause) (Independent clause)
Their net profit declined last year although (subordinator) their sales increased.
(Independent clause) (Dependent clause)
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EXERCISE 5
Improve the coherence of the paragraphs below. Fill in the blanks with the most
appropriate transition signals from the boxes provided.
Thus Finally
A child may leave home for a number of reasons, but three seem to be more
common than any others. (a)__________, a child may leave home because of lack
of parental affection, which can leave the child with emotional scars. When parents
are cold and uncaring, a child senses this and feels that he or she does not belong
in the home. The child will then leave, seeking a home where he or she at least
feels wanted and a part of a family. (b)__________, when a child feels that he or
she is not given just recognition as a person and as an individual, he or she may
feel frustrated enough to leave home, especially if the parents do not stop what they
are doing long enough to really listen to him or her or at least to respect some of
the child’s opinions. (c)__________, severe punishment by a child’s parents, which
does not suit the child’s misconduct, may cause him or her to leave home.
(d)__________, severe punishment is child abuse, and a child will normally feel that
he or she is not safe in such a home. (e)__________, for his or her own protection
and for affection he or she may leave home.
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In addition Besides Nevertheless
EXERCISE 6
Improve the coherence of the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the most
appropriate transition signal.
Road accidents are tragic incidents and can lead to serious injuries, financial
struggles and even emotional turmoil. There are several causes of road accidents and
knowing them might help in the prevention of road accidents. The (a) __________
cause of road accidents is distracted driving. Distracted driving includes anything that
takes attention off the road while driving. Many distractions are related to the use of
technology during driving. (b) __________, checking the mobile phone, talking and
texting on the mobile phone and even changing songs lead people to lose
concentration and focus, which may potentially cause road accidents. (c) __________,
road accidents are also caused by speeding. Speed limit signs are placed on roadsides
to inform road users of the safest speed to travel on particular roads such as roads
with higher traffic, sharp turns or uneven roads. (d) __________, many road users
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choose to ignore the speed limit and end up speeding. (e) __________, they may be
involved in a road accident because the faster they drive, the slower the reaction time
will be to stop the car and prevent an accident. Another major cause of road accidents
is weather conditions. Rain is one of the most common weather conditions that leads
to road accidents. Rain creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks and
motorcycles, and this often causes these vehicles to spin out of control or skid while
braking. (f) __________, road users must pay extra attention and be cautious when
driving in the rain.
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