English Essay (unity and coherence in a paragraph)

 

Unity and Coherence 

Unity

·         Just one idea in one paragraph.

·         Topic sentence would show that idea (main idea).

·         Supporting sentences should be related to the main idea.

·         Supporting sentences should explain/ prove the main idea.

·         Example of unity

o   English Essay is considered to be one of the most difficult subjects of CSS. Every year, dreams of most of the aspirants shatter due to failure in this subject. Unseen, unusual, and unpredictable selection of topics by Federal Public Service Commission makes the examination difficult for candidates. After going through these topics, students become nervous just in the start of examination. This nervousness makes their brain stop working. They are unable to recall details of the topic. Meanwhile, time passes and the pressure of time management also haunts the candidate. As a result, he remains unable to focus on the topic: he makes a lot of mistakes and sometimes cannot even complete the essay. Resultantly, he fails the examination.

·         Look at the topic, its key terms and answer the following question: Which of the points will not be included the paragraph?

o   Topic – Covid-19 and the environment.

§  Less pollution.

§  Chances of rapid increase in population.

§  Increase in price of masks.

§  Decrease in traffic on roads.

o   Answer – Increase in price of masks.

·         Write down three sentences to develop the following topic sentence:

o   Modern technology has made teaching easier.

o   ---

o   ---

o   ---

Coherence

·         Flow of the paragraph while moving from one sentence to the other.

·         Makes a paragraph easy to read and understand.

·         Each supporting sentence develops the main idea.

·         Two ways to achieve:

o   Chronological order

§  Related to time.

§  In the order of occurrence.

§  Useful for historical events, and explaining procedures etc.

§  Example 1 – The history of computers

·         The first generation of computers which used vacuum tubes, came out in 1950. Univac is an example of these computers which could perform thousands of calculations per second. In 1960, second generation of computers was developed and these could perform work ten times faster than their predecessor. Second generation computers were smaller, faster, and more dependable than first generation computers. The third generation computers appeared on the market in 1965.

§  Example 2 – Making Carrot Pudding

·         If you want to cook something that is delicious and quick to make, try this recipe for carrot pudding. First, scrape the carrots (1 kilogram) and then grate them. Boil milk (1 liter) and add the grated carrots. Let them boil. Add one cup of sugar. Next, beat one egg thoroughly; pour the beaten egg into the boiling milk and carrots. Stir the mixture. Add two table spoons of finely grated coconut and mix it well. Cook till the mixture becomes thick. Turn off the gas. When the mixture cools, pour it into a dish.

o   Order of importance

§  From most important to least important OR

§  From least important to most important.

§  Example – Disputes between Pakistan and India

·         The history of disputes between Pakistan and India dates back to the division of sub-continent that happened in August 1947. One of the most important disputes is Kashmir dispute. Kashmir being a Muslim majority area had to become a part of Pakistan, but India occupied most of its territory. Since that occupation, India has killed millions of innocent Muslim Kashmiris. Another critical issue between the two countries is water dispute: India is deviating water of rivers from their way towards Pakistan. Indus water treaty was meant to solve this dispute, but India is constantly violating it. Apart from that, terrorism has also become an issue between both the countries. Indian secret agencies have been involved in committing heinous crimes, like bomb blasts, in Pakistan.

Use of Transitional words in supporting sentences

·         Just like traffic signals that tell readers the direction they have to take.

·         Same route – Moreover, furthermore etc.

·         Opposite direction – On the other hand, however, in contrast, etc.

·         Examples – for instance etc.

·         Example of a sentence without transitional words

o   Students who come to college from high school find that at first they have a few problems. Their college is usually much bigger than their high school. The new first year student often does not know any of the students of higher classes. These students are not always friendly to him. They play tricks on him or tease him. Before, he was one of the biggest students in his school; now he is one of the smallest. Another problem is that he no longer has his classroom. He has to go to a different classroom for every subject. The unfortunate student has to carry all his things with him. He is not used to this. Our first year student does not have a class teacher either. Instead of one teacher whom he knows well, he has six or seven teachers whom he hardly knows at all. The boy or girl starting college often finds it rather strange at first.

·         Example of a sentence with transitional words

Students who come to college from high school find that at first they have a few problems. The main problem is that their college is usually much bigger than their high school. Another thing is that the new first year student often does not know any of the students of higher classes. As well, these students are not always friendly to him. Sometimes they play tricks on him or tease him. Another problem is that before he was one of the biggest students in his school; now he is one of the smallest. Yet another problem is that he no longer has his classroom. Now he has to go to a different classroom for every subject. And the unfortunate student has to carry all his things with him. He is not used to this. Moreover, our first year student does not have a class teacher either. Instead of one teacher whom he knows well, he has six or seven teachers whom he hardly knows at all. There is no doubt that the boy or girl starting college often finds it rather strange at first. 

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