Being Cohesive: What is a Cohesive Paragraph?
You've just learned how to define a cohesive
paragraph:
A cohesive paragraph is a group of sentences all related
to one idea.
You're now going to learn how to write a cohesive
paragraph.
Do you remember the three things that can help make each
paragraph you write cohesive?
l
a topic
sentence
l
supporting
sentences
l
transitions
Being Cohesive: What Is A Topic Sentence?
In this section, you're going to discover two
things:
l
what a topic
sentence is and
l
what a topic
sentence does.
In business writing, the topic sentence is
l
usually the
first sentence of the paragraph
l
short, with
only 7 to 10 words
l
the most
general sentence in the paragraph.
Look at the following example of a topic sentence. It
describes the HSBC Home Mortgage Loan.
|
Our Home Mortgage Loan eases the stress of buying
property. Our terms are very competitive. The flexible repayment schedule
enables you to budget your expenses. In addition, it gives you a clear
picture of your financial commitment for the whole
period. |
Notice that the topic sentence
l
is the first
sentence of the paragraph
l
has only ten
words
l
contains
general information; the other sentences contain specific information.
Being Cohesive: What Does A Topic Sentence Do?
Do you know what a topic sentence does?
In business writing, the topic sentence:
l
summarises
the main idea of the paragraph
l
helps the
reader predict what the paragraph is about.
Look again at the example of the topic sentence
describing a mortgage loan. Note that the topic sentence:
l
summarises
the main idea, ie that a Home Mortgage Loan eases the stress of buying
property
l
suggests the
rest of the paragraph will describe how the Loan eases the stress.
Learning Point 2
The topic sentence summarises the main idea of the
paragraph.
It is the most general sentence in the paragraph.
For maximum impact, the topic sentence should be short,
with only 7-10 words.
In business writing, the topic sentence is usually the
first sentence of the paragraph. The topic sentence helps the reader predict
what the paragraph is about.
In the exercise below, each group of sentences could form
a paragraph if they were re-organised.
Try to identify the topic sentence in each group, ie the
sentence that should go first.
1.
a. Your
staff need to feel that you value their work.
b. As a
team leader, you face several challenges.
c. Staff
also want to be treated as individuals.
d. In
addition, you need to make them aware of the team's work.
e. Through
your actions, you must earn their respect.
B introduces the idea of a team leader's challenges, the
other sentences list some of these challenges.
2.
a. Everyone
also knows in what areas they need to improve.
b. Finally,
everyone knows what is expected of them in the future.
c. In
addition, everyone knows how they can improve.
d. A good
appraisal system produces four results.
e. Everyone
is aware of their achievements.
D introduces the idea of a good appraisal system saying
there are four results. The other sentenses list the four results.
3.
a.
Inflation seems to be on the rise.
b. Every
day the newspaper brings more bad news.
c. Older
people are worried about their pension schemes.
d. Major
department stores are closing down.
e. The
unemployment figures are rising.
B introduces the statement that newspapers bring bad
news. The other sentenses list some examples of this bad news.
Being Cohesive: Topic
Sentence
In this exercise, the topic sentence is missing. Write a
topic sentence that
l
introduces
the subject of the paragraph and
l
summarises
the main idea of the paragraph.
1. Problems in service.
a. First, phones are answered too slowly.
b. Second, customers are put on hold too frequently.
c. Third, messages are not taken down accurately.
2. We can not agree on your requist.
a. Our records show that your income has been irregular.
b. We also note that your overdraft limit has been
reached.
c. Moreover, your other personal loan has not been fully
repaid
|
Answer:
1. There is no model answer. However, you're doing
well if your sentence contains an expression similar to this: "There are
three major problems with our telephone answering service."
This sentence introduces the idea that is expanded
upon in the other sentences.
2. There is no model answer. However, you're doing
well if your sentence contains an expression similar to this:
"Unfortunately, we are unable to grant you another loan."
This sentence introduces the idea that is expanded
upon in the other sentences. |
（來源：中國物流論壇 實習生江巍 英語點津 Annabel 編輯）
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