Paragraphs

Sentences

Mix length
Mix structure

Squeeze info

Relative clause when the context already built previously in the paragraph

Gestalt

Mindset of all the distinct pieces of information in the sentence

Map information pieces, and break up sentences in accordance

Organize information, and prioritize with the Reader in mind

Flow & Coherence

  • Relation: Sentences should relate

  • Position: Order parts of previous sentence so it finishes with what is most relevant to the next

  • Relation by preposition: Heighten relationship between sentences with prepositions

  • Linking: sentences with pair of prepositions (Before x. After y.)

  • Repetition: Repeat for emphasis (With x. With y. Or: Under x. Under y)

  • First time ref: If something is mentioned for the first time, it should use the indefinite article.

  • Known ref: Reference to something that was already mentioned, use the definitive article

Focused, tidy

  • Prepositional phrases and infinitive phrases can make the paragraph less wordy

  • A single sentence or two is the issue of the whole paragraph

Original:\

Bach’s life differed little from the lives of other musicians in the eighteenth century unless you consider the fact that he wrote better musical compositions. When he was alive, Bach was an obscure musician, trudging from court to court for jobs as choirmaster or organist. He remained obscure for over 100 years. But his music was “discovered” in the nineteenth century. Our own century considers Bach’s work impervious to time and the composer himself a living presence to whom almost everyone in music is somehow indebted. We consider the Beatles indebted to him, and Beethoven was indebted to him as well.

Edited\

Except for the quality of his musical compositions, Bach’s life differed little from the lives of other musicians in the eighteenth century. During his lifetime, Bach was an obscure musician, trudging from court to court for jobs as choirmaster or organist. He remained obscure for over 100 years. But his music was “discovered” in the nineteenth century. Our own century considers Bach’s work impervious to time and the composer himself a living presence to whom almost everyone in music from Beethoven to the Beatles, is somehow indebted.

Semantic Linkage in paragraph: Next sentence

  • Expand, illustrate

  • Expand concept (deepen, define, quantifying, analyzing, explain)

  • Contrast, unexpected, surprising

  • Point to main issue out of several options

  • Answer question

  • Raise question

  • Raise doubt (or is it?)

  • Chronological development

  • Process next step/s

  • Another case

  • Breakdown of prior generalization

  • Exaggeration

  • Down to earth, realization

  • Repeat

  • Summarize

  • Concluding

  • Closing (typically end of paragraph)

Rearrangement Patterns

See the writers options, unit 11, page 171

  • Beginning/Ending

  • Introductory What (contrast, unexpected)

  • Passive: Let you start with the object, if it ended previous sentence

  • Disrupt the flow, break the pattern, e.g. a few long sentences, then a short one. For emphasis

  • Interrupt one sentence with another

  • Repetition

Paragraph patterns

See the writers options unit 13

Opinionated, forceful

  • If sentences are question and answer, just provide the conclusion

Do you believe that children are immune to constantly repeated violence? If you do you are ignoring …

To believe that children are immune to constantly repeated violence is to ignore the most basic principles of developmental psychology.