Naturally there are many ways in which a paragraph might be formed. However, it must further the argument concerning the levels of redundancy in speech and writing. It should not give another requirement for effective communication - this would produce a list not a paragraph (as in paragraph number four about Hegel).

Here are three possibilities that spring to my mind:

  1. Perhaps the most obvious would be to begin the next sentence with In speech... and then detail, with examples, the requirements and characteristics of spoken discourse. Then conclude the paragraph with similar sentences beginning In writing....
  2. The next sentence could begin For example... and describe perhaps how the audience at a lecture expect to be treated.
  3. The next sentence could begin In particular and single out a type of redundancy, say simple repetition, and show how this differs in speech and writing.

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Topic Sentences and the Drafting Process

The process of redundancy reduction between a first and second draft typically produces isolated sentences, which seem to be fragments of an argument. These can often be made into topic sentences for the new, more coherent paragraphing of the second draft. Look again at these model sentences from the redundancy reduction exercises. How would you expect the paragraphs to continue?

  1. The theory of cognitive structure developed by the Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1988) has greatly influenced many educationalists.

    2. Click here for an answer.

  2. During his presidency (1923-38), Mustafa Kemal (1881-1938) instigated a series of radical, far-reaching reforms which transformed Turkey politically, economically and culturally.

    3. Click here for an answer.

  3. The historical conflict between enviromentalism and geneticism has largely been superseded by epigenetism which regards environmental and genetic factors as equally important and inextricably linked in determining an individual's psychology.

Click here for an answer.

 

Exercises in Paragraph Coherence

In these exercises you need to rearrange the jumbled sentences, as you did in the Thessaloniki example, to produce one coherent paragraph or, when necessary, two paragraphs. I have chosen a range of texts to illustrate how the conventions of paragraphing remain contrast irrespective of subject and style. The exercises are graded in difficulty. However you should find then increasingly easy as your awareness of the paragraph coherence increases.

It should always be possible to reassemble good writing in this way. Therefore, if you have a very co-operative friend, one of the best tests of your own work is to jumble it up like this and ask your friend to reassemble it. If your friend finds it impossible to arrange the sentences in the right order, this indicates serious problems with your friend's reasoning abilities or more likely the coherence of your writing!

 

ONE: FOUR SENTENCES

It was estimated that nearly 90 percent of the equipment in the ANP inventory in 1993 was of Soviet origin.

From independence through the 1980s, Algeria's most important supplier remained the Soviet Union.

Algerian leaders have frequently stated their desire to diversify their sources of arms and to obtain access to up-to-date Western equipment, but the country's straitened economic circumstances have precluded a major shift to purchases from the West.

In spite of periodic reports that Algeria was negotiating with European manufacturers to produce weapons systems under license, the country continues to depend heavily on outsiders to supply the ANP.

 

Click here to see the first sentence or here for the complete answer.

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© 2002 Martin Paterson