Body Paragraphs Unity & Coherence

Paragraph Unity [sentences are unified to the topic]

• All sentences in paragraph relate to the topic sentence

• All paragraphs relate to the Thesis Statement

• Don’t end paragraphs with a new idea

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What is wrong with this paragraph?

Paragraph Unity [sentences are unified to the topic]

Mary’s little sister Amy has always been shy and reclusive. First of all, she never raises her hand in class. She even drops her head to the table if the teacher looks at her. Also, Amy loves cats. Additionally, she won’t come out to the playground at recess. She stays by the door of the class and waits for everyone to return. It’s a shame Amy’s not so well spoken as her older sister Mary.

The answer

Loving cats might be true about Amy, but it does not follow the idea of “shy” stated in the topic sentence, so it needs to go!

Mary’s little sister Amy has always been shy and reclusive. First of all, she never raises her hand in class. She even drops her head to the table if the teacher looks at her. Also, Amy loves cats. Additionally, she won’t come out to the playground at recess. She stays by the door of the class and waits for everyone to return. It’s a shame Amy’s not so well spoken as her older sister Mary.

Coherence sentences flow together and make a clear, logical point about

the topic

• A natural, easily recognizable order– Time [narrative, process analysis] – Space [description]– Importance [comparison/contrast, classification,

argumentation]– Deductive [general to specific – cause/effect,

argumentation]– Inductive [specific to general – cause/effect,

argumentation]

– Examples [for example, for instance, specifically, in particular, namely, another]

– Comparison [similarly, not only, but also, in comparison, likewise]

– Contrast [although, but, while, in contrast, however, though, on the other hand]

– Sequence [first, second, next, then, before, after, also, in addition, furthermore, moreover, finally]

– Results [therefore, thus, consequently, as a result]

Transition words and phrases

You can also write transitional topic sentences by taking a backward glance at the paragraph

that comes before it:

• Thesis: The cafeteria at our Bonita Vista High has many drawbacks, such as high prices, poor staffing, and tasteless food items.

• Topic sentence one: One problem with the cafeteria is its expensive menu.

• Topic sentence two: Not only is the school food expensive, but the service is also poor.

• Topic sentence three: When a student finally does get served, the school meal is usually cold and has little flavor.

Coherence between paragraphs

• Just as coherence within a paragraph is important, coherence between paragraphs must also be maintained– Consider the sequence of paragraphs [Have you

chosen a clear order?]– Consider transitions between paragraphs [Have

you connected your new idea to the idea that came before?]

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Tran s it ionM a jo r P o in t

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Tran s it ionM a jo r P o in t

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Body Paragraphs

Unity and coherence within and among paragraphs