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Tips To Handle Paragraph Organization Exercises

The document outlines advanced techniques for effectively organizing paragraphs, focusing on coherence, cohesion, and logical progression. Key strategies include identifying topic sentences, recognizing cohesive devices, and tracing pronouns to establish relationships between sentences. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding discourse structure and matching transitions to paragraph functions.

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34 views2 pages

Tips To Handle Paragraph Organization Exercises

The document outlines advanced techniques for effectively organizing paragraphs, focusing on coherence, cohesion, and logical progression. Key strategies include identifying topic sentences, recognizing cohesive devices, and tracing pronouns to establish relationships between sentences. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding discourse structure and matching transitions to paragraph functions.

Uploaded by

babodabo2k5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Handling paragraph organization exercises effectively requires both strategic reading and a

clear understanding of coherence, cohesion, and logical progression in writing. Here are
advanced techniques—suitable for your level and for teaching your students—to decode
jumbled paragraphs:

1. Identify the Topic Sentence

 Usually introduces the main idea or argument.


 Often general in tone, not referring back to anything.
 Avoids connectors like “however,” “therefore,” or “also,” which signal dependence
on a previous sentence.

Tip: If a sentence can stand alone and introduces a subject, it likely comes first.

2. Look for Cohesive Devices (Lexical and Grammatical)

 Reference words (this, that, these, those, he, she, it) usually point backward.
 Conjunctions and discourse markers show logical links:
o Addition: moreover, also, in addition
o Contrast: however, although, but
o Result: therefore, thus, consequently
o Example: for instance, such as

Tip: These clues help locate middle or concluding sentences.

3. Recognize Chronological or Logical Progression

 Paragraphs often follow:


o Chronological order (events or processes)
o Problem–Solution
o Cause–Effect
o General–Specific
o Claim–Evidence–Conclusion

Tip: Note words like first, later, eventually, as a result, the consequence was etc.

4. Use Pronoun Tracing

 A sentence starting with “he,” “she,” “it,” or “they” cannot be first.


 Trace the antecedent—a prior noun that makes the pronoun understandable.
Tip: Check for noun-pronoun agreement across sentences to establish sequence.

5. Watch for Repetition and Lexical Chains

 Writers repeat key words or use synonyms across sentences to maintain cohesion.
 A chain may include: “education,” “learning,” “instruction,” “schooling.”

Tip: Such lexical ties often link supporting sentences to the topic sentence.

6. Match Transitions with Paragraph Function

 Opening sentence: neutral or thematic


 Middle sentences: explanation, examples, details
 Closing sentence: summary, implication, comment

Tip: A closing sentence often has a reflective or evaluative tone.

7. Apply Discourse Analysis Thinking

 Consider the discourse structure:


o Who is speaking?
o What is being described or argued?
o Is the sentence function informative, explanatory, comparative?

Tip: This lens sharpens understanding of rhetorical flow.

Sample Strategy Flow

1. Identify the main theme (e.g., technological change).


2. Find the most general sentence (likely first).
3. Search for details, examples, consequences (middle).
4. Find a summary or result (likely last).

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