UNITY AND COHERENCE

UNITY
1. A paragraph discusses one and only one main idea from beginning to end. -a new paragraph for a new main idea.
2. Every supporting sentence must directly explain or prove the main idea. Dont include irrelevant sentences.

3. How to achieve Paragraph Unity?

- must have a single generalization as the focus of attention (topic sentence). - control the content of every other sentence in the paragraph's body:
(a) it contains more specific information than the topic sentence. (b) it maintains the same focus of attention as the topic sentence.

COHERENCE
- Latin verb: Cohere means hold together - The movement from one sentence to the next must be logical and smooth. - No sudden jumps - Aids readers

How to achieve Coherence?

1. Repeat key nouns 2. Use consistent pronouns 3. Use transition signals to link idea 4. Arrange your ideas in logical order

1. Repeat key nouns

- Repeat key nouns using the noun, pronouns or other synonyms frequently in a paragraph. - Remember, when the meaning is not clear, use the key noun.
How? - In sentence B (the second of any two sentences), repeat a word from sentence A.

Sentence A

Khairul and Farizul are both studying in UMT. He stays with his friends at Kg Pak Tuyu.
Sentence B Khairul and Farizul are both studying in UMT. Khairul/Farizul stays with his friends at Kg Pak Tuyu.

In the following passage about dolphins, replace some of the pronouns with appropriate singular or plural nouns.

Dolphins

Dolphins are interesting because they display almost human behaviour at times. For example, they display human emotions of joy and sadness. During training, when they do something correctly, they squeal excitedly and race towards their trainer. When they make a mistake, however, they droop noticeably and mope around their pool. Furthermore, they help each other when they are in trouble. If one is sick, it sends out a message, and others in the area swim to help it. They push it to the surface of the water so that it can breathe. They stay with it for days or weeks until it recovers or dies. They have also helped trapped or lost whales navigate their way safely out to the open sea. They are so intelligent and helpful, in fact, that the U.S. navy is training them to become underwater bomb disposal experts.

2. Use consistent pronouns

- When using pronouns, make sure you use the same person and number throughout your paragraph.
- Do not change from you to he or she (change of person) OR from he to they (change or number).

Example:
A student who knows a few Latin and Greek roots has an advantage over a student who doesnt know them. They can often guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.
I like to eat when Peggy is in the backyard because you don't have to worry about her getting in the way.

3. Use transition signals to link idea

- Expressions such as first, finally, and however or phrases such as in conclusion, on the other hand, and as a result.
- Different types of transition signals; each is punctuated differently. - Tells the reader when you are giving the similar idea, opposite idea, an example, a result, or a conclusion.

Transition Signals

- Identity. Indicates sameness. that is, that is to say, in other words, ... - Opposition. Indicates a contrast. but, yet, however, nevertheless, still, though, although, whereas, in contrast, rather, ... - Addition. Indicates continuation. and, too, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, besides, in the same way, again, another, similarly, a similar, the same, ... - Cause and effect. therefore, so, consequently, as a consequence, thus, as a result, hence, it follows that, because, since, for, ... - Indefinites. Indicates a logical connection of an unspecified type. in fact, indeed, now, ... - Etc.

4. Arrange your ideas in logical order

- Arrange the sentences in some kind of logical order. - Some common kinds of logical order in English: i. Chronological order = order by time -sequence of events or steps in a process. ii. Logical division of ideas= a topic is divided into parts, each is discussed separately. iii. Comparison/contrast=similarities/differences between two or more items are discussed.

Example:
My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wantan River, which is very wide and beautiful. On either side of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are many willow trees which have long branches that can move gracefully in the wind. In autumn the leaves of these trees fall and cover the riverbanks like golden snow. Second, on the other side of the town is Wantan Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. Even though it is steep, climbing this hill is not dangerous, because there are some firm rocks along the sides that can be used as stairs. There are no trees around this hill, so it stands clearly against the sky and can be seen from many miles away. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place.

Discussion:
- First, Second, and The third amazing feature= major connectors. - Major connectors help organize the main parts of your paragraph. - Parag. consists of 3 main parts: (1) a part about the Wheaton River, (2) a part about Wheaton Hill, (3) a part about the Big Old Tree - provide coherence in a paragraph

- What about "these trees" and "this hill?

minor connectors

- provide coherence to a paragraph by connecting sentences within each of the main part of your paragraph. - That is, when you write about your main points, you can use minor connectors to link your details to each main point.

In a nutshell..
1. A good paragraph should have both unity and coherence. 2. Unity is achieved by; - discussing only one idea in a paragraph - always staying on the topic in your supporting sentence

3. Coherence is achieved by:

- Repeating key nouns - Using consistent pronouns - Using transition signals to link idea - Arranging the ideas in logical order

4. There are different types of transition signals used to link sentences with particular logical relationships.