Unit 02: Writing essentials (05/03hrs)

2.1 Cohesion-unity of thought/relation between sentences in a paragraph

Paragraphs get together to produce a longer text. Therefore, paragraph becomes the most important
basic unit in a composition. On the other hand, the quality and the scintillating effect of the
composition depends on the precision of the paragraphs. For a paragraph to be a good one, its unity
is important.
Moreover, the paragraphs should also be coherent. Coherence demands that the ideas or sentences
presented in a paragraph should flow smoothly from one to the other. Paragraphs should not only
be well-developed and unified but also coherent.
Characteristic features of a good paragraph

Unity Cohesion

Coherence

2.1.1 What is a paragraph?

A good paragraph
has its unity

a group of
related A paragraph is the
sentences that basic unit of
develop one composition
main idea. A
Paragraph

has three main Has a topic

parts; an sentence, details to
introduction, a
body of the
support the topic
paragraph and a sentence and a
conclusion concluding line

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2.1.2 What is unity in a paragraph?
Unity in a paragraph is when the entire paragraph focuses itself in one single idea.
 The main idea of a paragraph will be provided by its Topic Sentence.
 The supporting details should explain the main idea. In other words, the supporting
sentences should provide adequate details to the main idea.
 The concluding sentence should end the paragraph with an emphasis on the same idea.
Hand in hand the above three basic features produce a good paragraph with its UNITY.
If your paragraph contains a sentence or sentences that are not relevant to the main topic, the
sentence is then considered “off topic” and the paragraph starts to lack its unity.
Let’s see an Example

“The best vacation is a trip to the beach. There is a lot to do at the beach. You can
go swimming, build a sandcastle, or maybe even go surfing. The beach is very relaxing. Many
people enjoy listening to the sound of the ocean and lying in the sun. When you plan your
next vacation, be sure to remember that the beach is your best choice.”

Analyzed paragraph
The best vacation is a trip to the beach. The Topic Sentence
Main subject- A trip to the beach is a good
idea for a vacation
 There is a lot to do at the beach.
 You can go swimming, build a
sandcastle, or maybe even go surfing. Supporting sentences
 The beach is very relaxing. Explains and reasons out why it is so
 Many people enjoy listening to the
sound of the ocean and lying in the sun.

When you plan your next vacation, be sure to Concluding sentence

remember that the beach is your best choice. Emphasizing what is being said in the topic
sentence.

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2.1.3 What is cohesion in a paragraph?
Cohesion demands all the supporting sentences to connect to each other and to the topic
sentence.

Sentence 1 Sentence 2

In order to make a paragraph cohesive, one can employ the Cohesive Devices.
 Connectors: and, but, so, when, therefore, in addition
 Definite article: the
 Personal pronouns: he, she they
 Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, those

2.1.4 What is coherence in a paragraph?

Coherence means establishing a relationship between the ideas presented in a paragraph.
It brings about a logic in the arrangement of the ideas which are introduced either in the
sequential order or in the order of importance.
The ideas, thus expressed in the paragraph, flow smoothly from one to the other in a logical
sequence. This helps the reader to understand the paragraph.

Let’s see an example

THE HUMAN BODY
(1) The human body is a wonderful piece of work that nature has created. (2) It is not beautiful
like the body of a butterfly or peacock but it is shaped practically. (3) It can do many types of work
which other animals cannot. (4) It is not strong like the body of a tiger. (5) But in place of physical
strength it has a big and sharp brain. (6) By using this brain the human physique has been able to
overcome many of its limitations. (7) By sitting in an aeroplane it flies faster than a kite, by riding
a motorcycle it travels faster than a leopard, and by firing a machine gun it fights much better than
a tiger. (8)In spite of all this, the human body suffers from many diseases because it has a weakness
for habits such as smoking, drinking and overeating. (9) When it is healthy the body can give great

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pleasure but when it is sick it can cause great pain. (10) The wise man would always keep his body
fit because a healthy mind can work only in a healthy body.

 The first sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and claims the superiority of the
human body over the rest of the creation. It enables the reader to expect the following ideas
in the paragraph that explain and illustrate the qualities and attributes of the human body.
 The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sentences compare, contrast, elucidate
and justify the main idea or topic sentence. They establish the main theme with logical
explanations and transitions. They create a graphic picture in the minds of the reader with
suitable and appropriate language expressions. In brief, they develop the main idea of the
paragraph.
 The eighth and the ninth sentences interpret and analyze the limitations of the human body
and prove the strength of the topic sentence. They, further, lead the main idea into a
concluding thought.
 Finally, the tenth sentence concludes with the idea that the human body should be well
preserved for a proper functioning of the system and that a healthy mind can work only in
a healthy body.
 Thus the paragraph, The Human Body, is a unified and coherent paragraph.
(Reference: 2010 - 11 writeenglish.net)

2.2 Clarity and precision: organizing writing using a clear structure, content, layout,
handwriting
2.2.1 CLARITY
 Clarity refers to making your message as clear as it can possibly be.
 Having a logical structure in each individual sentence as well as in the overall piece of
writing is important.
 It also means organizing your thoughts in an organic way that creates a progression of
ideas that is clear and natural to the reader.
 Clarity is a function of sentence structure, accurate punctuation, and a well-expressed and
specific point.
2.2.2 PRECISION
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between
‘lightning’ and ‘the lightning bug.’” Mark Twain
 Precision means being specific.
 Precision refers to the idea of saying exactly what you mean.
 It is important to use the most appropriate vocabulary, if you want to be precise in your
text.

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2.3 Spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary

Vocabulary
• Selecting the most
appropriate word

Punctuations Spellings
• Writing the word with
Use of most suitable correct spellings
punctuation marks
where necessary.

Grammar
• connecting the word s
with correct grammatical
structure

2.3.1 Vocabulary
 One of the tools that can power up you writing is strong vocabulary, which helps us to be
precise in what we want to say.

Ex: Students do a lot of things. ------- Students perform the tasks.

 Strong vocabulary is always supported by a good bunch of synonyms. They can add color
to your write up and make it attractive to the reader.
 The use of vocabulary can vary according to the subject of the text. For example, you
may have to use the technical terms in a medical write up or a technical jargon.
 With a good vocabulary:
 You can choose more descriptive words to help your reader envision what you are
describing.
 You can adapt your writing for your audience (e.g., simpler words for children
and more complex words for college students).

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  You can create variety in paragraphs and sentences with vocabulary words which
keep your reader interested in what you have to say.

To improve your vocabulary

- Use a dictionary or a thesaurus
- Read, read and read
- Pay attention to the words you read and use them later in your communication.
Reference: https://d19y2ugh44almm.cloudfront.net/Magoosh+IELTS+Vocabulary+PDF.pdf

2.3.2 Spellings
Spellings connect together to make a word.
Each word has its own collection of letters put in order. So, it is important to write the word with
the correct spellings.
Ex: I massaged you yesterday eve. Why didn’t you reply?
The correct spelling is MESSAGED.
Be aware of fake friends: Homonyms
 A homonym is a word that is pronounced the same as another, but is spelled differently
and has a different meaning.
Examples:
A. affect (to have an influence on), effect (a result). Affect is generally used as a verb (to
affect) while effect is generally used as a noun (the effect).
B. principal (head of school) and principle (a truth, law, rule, or standard)
2.3.3 Grammar
Grammar explains the forms and structure of words (called morphology) and how they are
arranged in sentences (called syntax). In other words, grammar provides the rules for common use
of both spoken and written language so we can more easily understand each other.
The building blocks of grammar are the eight parts of speech:
• Verbs express actions, events, or states of being.
• Nouns name a person, animal, place, thing, or abstract idea.
• Pronouns take the place of nouns or another pronoun.
• Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns by describing, identifying, or quantifying them.
An adjective usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies.

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• Adverbs modify a verb, adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause and indicate
manner, time, place, cause, or degree. Adverbs can be recognized because they
answer the question how, when, where, or how much. Adverbs often end in ly.
• Prepositions link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence and
usually indicate a relationship of time, space, or logic.
• Conjunctions link words, phrases, and clauses.
• Interjections are added to a sentence to convey emotion and are usually followed by
an exclamation point.
 Every complete sentence has two parts: a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and
a predicate (what the subject is doing). The subject is a noun or a pronoun; the predicate
is a verb.
 Modifiers, phrases, and clauses add information about the subject and predicate and make
the writing more interesting and clear.
 A single word acting as an adjective or adverb is called a modifier; two or more words
without a subject and predicate and acting as an adjective or adverb is called a phrase;
and two or more words acting as an adjective or adverb and having a subject and
predicate is a clause.
 Clauses are the basic building blocks of sentences. When a sentence is formed by a single
clause, it is known as a simple sentence.
 Two or more clauses that are joined by a conjunction such as and, but, and, or form a
compound sentence. Compound sentences create balance or contrast between thoughts,
ideas, or information of equal importance:
 A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
that are not equal. A complex sentence is different from a simple sentence or compound
sentence because it develops a central idea, provides background information, and clearly
identifies the most important thought.
With perfect grammar, you always can sound perfect!
2.3.4 Punctuations

, . - : ‘ Punctuation helps convey the

precise meaning of a sentence – and in
fact can even change the meaning, as in
this well-known example:

;?!
A woman, without her man, is nothing.
A woman: without her, man is nothing.

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A brief description of how punctuation is used:
• A comma tells the reader to pause and assimilate information. They are also used to
separate the items in a series.
• A semi-colon links independent clauses that are closely related in meaning when
they are not linked by a conjunction.
• A colon introduces a list or a summation. It can also be used to link an idea that has
been introduced in an independent clause.
• End punctuation – period, question mark, and exclamation mark – denotes the end
of a sentence.
• Parentheses enclose words that are not directly related to the main thought of the
sentence but provide important information, or to provide examples.
• A dash signals a sudden change of thought or break in a sentence. Dashes can also
be used in place of parentheses to emphasize information.
• Quotation marks indicate direct speech. All punctuation marks are enclosed within
the quotation marks except for semi-colons, colons, and question marks when they
are not part of the quotation.