PARAGRAPH UNITY
PARAGRAPH UNITY
The topic sentence is not the only sentence in a paragraph. There are a few other sentences (usually between 6 and 12) in each paragraph which are called supporting sentences. The job of these sentences is to support the topic sentence by defining, explaining, clarifying, or illustrating its controlling ideas. These are called supporting sentences.
Supporting sentences should be related to the topic sentence to make the paragraph unified. That is, a unified paragraph will include only
sentences that explain or support the general statement made in the topic sentence. Any sentence that is not related to the main idea would not develop it. Unrelated supporting sentences cannot support the topic sentence. They can only make your paragraphs weak.
EXERCI SE
1. Read and compare the following two paragraphs written by two Iranian students of English on the advantages of eggs. Which one is
a unified paragraph? Which sentences in the non-unified paragraph are unrelated to the topic sentence?
PARAGRAPH 1
Eggs are really good. Last year, my family and I went to Mashhad. We went there in an airplane. I n the airplane, the stewardess gave us breakfast. I t included coffee, boiled eggs, bread, and other things. The stewardess was a tall and slim girl. She seemed to be about twenty five years old. She was really nice. My mother says, Mashhad is a sacred city. She likes I mam Reza so much so that she goes to Mashhad every year. We also visited Vakil Abad Zoo. We came back home after ten days.
34 THE PARAGRAPH
PARAGRAPH 2
Egg is necessary for human body because it has at least five advantages. First, it is full of proteins that are needed for growth. Second, many vitamins are found in eggs. I n addition, egg is considered a complete food because of the minerals that are found in it. Some fats which are vital for human growth can also be found in eggs. Eggs can also be used in a variety of dishes, and can give the housewife a pleasant experience of cooking.
By finding the controlling ideas in the topic sentence, the reader can guess what the rest of the paragraph should be about. Then, by reading the paragraph closely, the reader can conclude whether or not the paragraph is unified. Each sentence in a unified paragraph will be directly related to the topic sentence. It is possible, of course, that some sentences may be indirectly related to the topic sentence. That is, they may be directly related to the preceding supporting sentences by providing examples, details, or further explanation. In early stages of paragraph development, students are advised to use direct paragraph unity in their writings. That will make their job much easier for them.
EXERCI SE
1. Read the two paragraphs below and answer the questions that follow
each paragraph:
PARAGRAPH 1
To be able to make good coffee, you should be aware of some delicate points. First, it is very important to make sure that the pot in which you want to make coffee is clean. Dust can make your coffee bad. Second, pour some clean water into the pot, and let it boil. When the water boils, remove the pot from the stove and let it remain still for a few seconds. Next, pour some instant coffee into a cup and fill the cup with water from the pot. The Lavazza brand is the best instant coffee on the market.
What is the topic sentence of the paragraph? What are the controlling ideas in the topic sentence? Circle them. Are all the supporting sentences related to the topic sentence? Are any of the sentences indirectly related to the topic sentence? Are there any sentences that do not belong?
THE PARAGRAPH 35
PARAGRAPH 2
An ideal husband has several characteristics. First, he must be gentle. Second, he must come from a respectable family. Moreover, he must be an honest man who always tells the truth and never cheats his wife. Loyalty is another important point in an ideal husband. Finally, he must
be in an acceptable financial situation. All girls like to live in their husbands' personal house, go to work in their husbands' personal car, and have fun with their husbands' money.
What is the topic sentence of the second paragraph? What are the controlling ideas in the topic sentence? Circle them. Are all the supporting sentences related to the topic sentence? Are any of the sentences indirectly related to the topic sentence? Are there any sentences that don't belong? Why don't they fit?
2. Read the following topic sentence and underline its controlling ideas.
Paper has had an interesting journey throughout history.
Now read the twelve sentences that follow and: Select the sentences that develop the topic sentence.
Which sentences relate directly to the topic sentence? Which sentences do not relate directly to the topic sentence?
1) According to tradition, paper was first made in AD 105 by the Chinese.
2) The earliest known paper still in existence was made from rags about AD 150.
3) For almost 500 years the art of papermaking was confined to China, but in 610 it was introduced into Japan.
4) I n 750, paper found its way to Central Asia.
5) Paper made its appearance in Egypt about 800 but was not manufactured there until 900 because Egyptians had their own Papyrus.
36 THE PARAGRAPH
6) The use of paper was introduced into Europe by the Moors.
7) The first European papermaking mill was established in Spain about 1150.
8) I n succeeding centuries, the art of papermaking spread to most of the European countries.
9) The introduction of movable type about the middle of the 15th century made book printing possible and greatly influenced papermaking.
10) The first paper mill in England was established in 1495, and the first such mill in America in 1690.
11) The solution of the problem of making paper from cheap raw material was achieved about 1840.
12) The first paper made of cheap materials appeared ten years later.