Paragraph unity

A paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to develop one main or controlling idea.
The controlling idea is usually stated in a topic sentence and the topic sentence is often the first
sentence of the paragraph. A paragraph is also well unified if it is logically developed using clear
cohesive devices or signal words.

Task 2a: Analysing paragraphs

Read Paragraph A and answer the following questions.

1. What is the purpose of this paragraph?
2. What is the main factor for the issue?
3. How has the paragraph been developed?

Paragraph A
Overcrowding in urban centres worldwide has resulted from a number of different factors.
The most widely recognised of these is the ongoing trend towards mass rural-urban migration
patterns. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2018),
by 2050, two thirds of the world’s rural population will be moving and living in urban areas.
This trend is often a consequence of the perceived higher living standards and better
employment opportunities to be found in major cities. For these reasons, many urban centres
are now growing beyond their capacity and, as a result, may be facing an increasingly
unsustainable future.

Task 2b: Analysing paragraphs

Read Paragraph B and answer the following questions.

1. What is the purpose of this paragraph?
2. Is the development of this paragraph clear and easy to follow? Explain.

Paragraph B
Overcrowding happens in many urban centres worldwide. It is important to note that there is
the ongoing trend towards mass rural-urban migration patterns. According to the United
Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2018), by 2050, two thirds of the world’s
rural population will be moving and living in urban areas. There is often a perception of higher
living standards and better employment opportunities to be found in major cities. Many urban
centres are now overcrowded.
Task 2c: Analysing paragraphs

Compare both paragraphs and answer the following questions.

1. Which paragraph has better unity? Explain.
2. Which topic sentence and concluding sentence show critical thinking? Explain.

Features of a well-unified paragraph

A well-unified paragraph contains:
a topic sentence that presents the:
● topic
● controlling idea
● scope of the paragraph
*it should not contain detailed explanations or examples

supporting sentences that develop the topic sentence by expanding, clarifying and
exemplifying the controlling idea – they should provide:
● explanations
● examples 3 Es
● evidence

a concluding sentence that ties the paragraph together – it can:

● refer back to the topic and controlling idea by rephrasing it (do NOT copy the
topic sentence)
● summarise the supporting ideas
● make a critical comment about the significance and implications of the
supporting ideas, and make a recommendation for the future

cohesive devices – these are words used to link or connect ideas and signal the
relationship between ideas, for example:
● cause-effect
● compare contrast
Topic sentence
A topic sentence makes a clear statement about the topic and provides a controlling idea for
the paragraph. It takes the form of a claim which guides the development of the paragraph.

Task 3: Analysing topic sentences

Refer to the topic sentences below and identify the following components:
● topic
● controlling idea
● scope
Example:
Collaborative learning has many benefits for university students.

topic controlling idea scope

1. Computer games can promote learning in young children.

2. There are many advantages to university students joining social activities on campus.
3. Learning a new language has a number of benefits on someone’s academic and social skills.
4. There are many reasons why university students work part-time.

Task 4: Writing topic sentences

Read the topics given and write a clear topic sentence. Remember to state the topic and
include a possible controlling idea and scope.

Example:
Topic: overcrowding in urban centres
Topic sentence:
Overcrowding in urban centres worldwide has resulted from a number of different factors.

topic scope controlling idea

1. Topic: diversity at the workplace

Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________________________

2. Topic: online learning

Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________________________

3. Topic: sleep and physical activity

Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________________________
Supporting and developing sentences
Every sentence in the paragraph should assist in the development of the topic sentence. These
sentences are known as supporting sentences and developing sentences. The supporting
sentences help develop the topic sentence first and then the developing sentences are where
the main idea presented in the topic sentence and the first detail of the main idea in the
supporting sentence is elaborated using explanation, example and evidence, and together they
promote paragraph unity.

Task 5: Analysing supporting sentences

Read the paragraph below on overcrowding in urban centres and analyse how the ideas are
developed. Complete the annotation column by labelling the function of each sentence with
these words:

● Topic sentence
● Explanation
● Example
● Evidence
● Critical comment
● Concluding sentence

Paragraph Annotation
1. Overcrowding in urban centres worldwide has resulted from a 1. Topic sentence

number of different factors. 2. The most widely recognised of 2. Explanation (of

these is the perceived higher living standards that may be found controlling idea - Factor 1)

in major cities. 3. For example, more health services and schools 3.

____________________
are available in cities and are frequently equipped with more
modern technology. 4. According to the United Nations 4. Evidence (in support of
Factor 1)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2018), by 2050, two
thirds of the world’s rural population will be living in urban areas
because of the lack of facilities in rural areas. 5. This indicates 5. Critical comment
(about the evidence)
that mass migration is likely set to grow mainly due to social
6.
factors. 6. Another reason for the overcrowding in urban centers ____________________
is that better employment opportunities could be found here. 7.
This is because many big companies, especially, want to take 7.
____________________
advantage of the more advanced infrastructure such as transport
and communication systems available in urban areas and so are
often located in urban areas. 8. For these reasons, many urban 8.
____________________
centres are now growing beyond their capacity and, as a result,
may be facing an increasingly unsustainable future.
Task 6: Analysing supporting sentences
Refer to the paragraph above and answer the following questions.
1. What is the topic, controlling idea and scope of this paragraph?
2. Is this paragraph clear and well-developed? Explain.
3. How many factors for the issue of overcrowding in urban centers are discussed? What are
they?
4. Which words signal to the readers the main factors?
5. How is it clear to the reader that evidence is used?
6. What is the function of sentence 5 that begins with, ‘This indicates that…’?

Critical
comments
After stating a fact or giving evidence, include a critical comment to explain the implications
or show how the example or evidence supports the claim being made in the sentence before
it. Language which signals a critical comment includes the following words and phrases:
● This indicates that… · In this way…

● This appears to suggest that… · From this, it is clear that ...

● This means that… · The implication of this is…

Concluding sentence
An effective and meaningful concluding sentence does not only summarise the topic and
purpose of the paragraph by referring back to the topic sentence but it also ties the main ideas
together and connects them to a future implication for readers to consider. As such, do not
simply repeat the topic sentence.

Task 7: Analysing the concluding sentence

Refer to this concluding sentence from the paragraph above and answer the following
question.

For these reasons, many urban centres are now growing beyond their capacity and, as a
result, may be facing an increasingly unsustainable future.

1. What role does this concluding sentence play in promoting paragraph unity?
2. Where in this concluding sentence does the writer summarise the topic sentence of the
paragraph?
3. Does the writer include a critical comment in this concluding sentence? Explain.
Cohesive devices

Cohesive devices refer to the words and methods used to link ideas together. They can be
thought of as the glue that holds the pieces together and that signal the relationships between
ideas. Readers recognise the different parts of a text through the use of these cohesive devices.

Task 8a: Identifying cohesion

Read the sentences below and order them to form a logical paragraph on the topic of
‘Technology in education’. The topic sentence has been identified as the first sentence.

A. Incorporating technology in education has many advantages. 1

B. For example, classroom activities using online quizzes, interactive whiteboards

and learning platforms such as Moodle encourage more active participation and
as a result, learners are more focussed and connect more effectively with the
content.

C. As a result of these advantages of improved classroom engagement and student

collaboration, technology has an important role to play in education and should
therefore be included in all learning curricula.
D. One of the advantages of classroom technology is that it provides an opportunity
for students to interactively engage with lesson materials.

E. This means that the co-operation through these tools does not only foster social
connections but also can promote critical thinking and genuine learning.
F. Another advantage is technology such as social media tools could provide
students with the opportunity to learn collaboratively online with peers both
within the classroom and beyond it.
G. The Aspen Institute (2014) reports that, social media tools enable collaborative
learning which is essential for acquiring, sharing and creating new knowledge and
solving problems.

Task 8b: Identifying cohesion

Think about how you organised the sentences in Task 8a and highlight the words or phrases that
helped you get the order right. You may consider these cohesive devices that promote unity:

● transition markers ● repetitions

● conjunctions ● synonyms
● reference words ● reporting words
Task 9: Analysing cohesion
Read the paragraph below and analyse the function of each sentence. Complete the annotation
column by labelling each sentence with these words:

● Topic sentence
● Explanation
● Example
● Evidence
● Critical comment
● Concluding sentence

Paragraph Annotation
1. Incorporating technology in education has many advantages. 2. 1.
____________________
One of the advantages of classroom technology is that it provides
an opportunity for students to interactively engage with lesson 2.
____________________
materials. 3. For example, classroom activities using online
quizzes, interactive whiteboards and learning platforms such as 3.
Moodle encourage more active participation and as a result, ____________________

learners are more focussed and connect more effectively with the
content. 4. Another advantage is technology such as social media
tools could provide students with the opportunity to learn 4.
____________________
collaboratively online with peers both within the classroom and
beyond it. 5. The Aspen Institute (2014) reports that, social media
tools enable collaborative learning which is essential for acquiring, 5.
____________________
sharing and creating new knowledge and solving problems. 6. This
means that the co-operation through these tools not only fosters
social connections but also can promote critical thinking and 6.
____________________
genuine learning. 7. As a result of these advantages of improved
classroom engagement and student collaboration, technology has
an important role to play in education and should therefore be 7.
____________________
included in all learning curricula.
Task 10: Analysing cohesion

Read the paragraph above and answer the following questions.

1. What is the purpose of the paragraph? Identify the topic, controlling idea and scope of this
paragraph.
2. What are the two main advantages discussed?
3. What makes this paragraph clear and unified?

List of Cohesive Devices

reference words it this that these those they them

time soon meanwhile then previously formerly currently
again and furthermore also in addition moreover
addition
additionally as well as another
causal (giving a reason) because since as
results (stating an effect) hence therefore consequently so thus as a result
however nevertheless but despite while
contrast
on the other hand in spite of
similarly likewise correspondingly equally
comparison
in the same way
example for example for instance such as
Note: Without the cohesive devices paragraphs and essays would be significantly more
difficult to read, follow and understand.
Task 11: Analysing cohesion
Refer to the list of cohesive devices in the grey box above. Then, read Paragraphs A & B again
and highlight all the cohesive devices that promote unity in the paragraphs.

Paragraph A
Overcrowding in urban centres worldwide has resulted from a number of different factors.
The most widely recognised of these is the perceived higher living standards that may be
found in major cities. For example, more health services and schools are available in cities
and are frequently equipped with more modern technology. According to the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2018), by 2050, two thirds of the world’s rural
population will be living in urban areas because of the lack of facilities in rural areas. This
indicates that mass migration is likely set to grow mainly due to social factors. Another
reason for the overcrowding in urban centers is that better employment opportunities could
be found here. This is because many big companies, especially, want to take advantage of
the more advanced infrastructure such as transport and communication systems available in
urban areas and so are often located in urban areas. For these reasons, many urban centres
are now growing beyond their capacity and, as a result, may be facing an increasingly
unsustainable future.

Paragraph B
Incorporating technology in education has many advantages. One of the advantages of
classroom technology is that it provides an opportunity for students to interactively engage
with lesson materials. For example, classroom activities using online quizzes, interactive
whiteboards and learning platforms such as Moodle encourage more active participation
and as a result, learners are more focused and connect more effectively with the content.
Another advantage is technology such as social media tools could provide students with the
opportunity to learn collaboratively online with peers both within the classroom and beyond
it. The Aspen Institute (2014) reports that, social media tools enable collaborative learning
which is essential for acquiring, sharing and creating new knowledge, and solving problems.
This means that the co-operation through these tools not only fosters social connections but
also can promote critical thinking and genuine learning. As a result of these advantages of
improved classroom engagement and student collaboration, technology has an important
role to play in education and should therefore be included in all learning curricula.
Appendix 1: Paragraph structure
A well-organised and cohesive paragraph should contain the following components:

1. Topic sentence (provide a controlling idea)

The controlling idea can be a summary statement OR contain the key points.
Examples:
Topic sentence as a summary statement (general):
● There are several arguments that support the use of biofuels.
● A number of challenges to the use of biofuels still exist.
Topic sentence incorporating key points (specific):
● The use of biofuels offers a number of benefits, in being an unlimited source and in
reducing carbon emissions.
● The impact on food prices and the environment are two challenges related to the use of
biofuels.

2. Supporting sentences (present, explain, provide evidence and make a critical comment)

a. Present the idea (give a very brief background)

● Firstly, ...
● First and foremost, …

b. Explain the idea (refer to causes and effects)

● This is because …
● This is due to the fact that …

c. Provide evidence to support the idea (paraphrase the source: modify structure and use
synonyms; interpret the source accurately and provide an in-text reference)
● Anderson (2019) argues that ...
● According to Lavanchy and Lambert (2017), ...
● ... ... (Sato 2018).

d. Make a critical comment related to the evidence (different approaches: explain the
significance of the evidence; refer to immediate consequences or implications; interpret the
evidence; before writing, ask yourself: ‘So, what does all this mean?”)
● This appears to suggest that ...
● This indicates that ...
● This means that …
● From this, it is clear that ...

3. Present the second idea (give a very brief background)

● Another ...
● In addition, …
Repeat b, c, d.

4. Concluding sentence
The concluding sentence can refer back to the topic sentence controlling idea by rephrasing
it.
It may also be a brief suggestion or reference to overall implications.