What is “unity”?
Unity is the term that refers to the sense that all the parts of the essay belongs together and work in harmony.[1] The term describes an early 20th-century movement in psychology that focused on perception. In particular, these psychologists found out that our perception of form depends not just on seeing individual parts but on the organization of the whole.[2]
Developing Unity
Unity and coherence are essential in paragraph development.[3] Unity is achieved by determining that each sentence within the paragraph is relevant to the topic statement and whether it add something to that which has already been said.[4] In addition, if each sentence in the paragraphs logically follows that which precedes it; then the paragraph is coherent.[5]
Maintaining Unity
An essay should never lose focus on its subject and assertion. Each part of the essay should keep a continual eye on the focus, both at a macro and micro level. Each body paragraph of an essay should be working to prove the overall focus of the essay while also striving to support and illustrate the paragraph’s topic sentence. It is important that all parts of each paragraph should work together.[6] As the writer of the essay, you need to continuously ask yourself how your paragraph relates to its topic sentence and how it maintains and develops the essay’s thesis. When one paragraph's main idea is completed, then you are ready to move on to another. Never lose track of your goals. Only use details that develop and support the topic sentence and thesis; do not digress.
As you write follow these principles of good writing [7] :
- Be Direct
- Be you Consistent
- Be you Concise
- Be Relevant
By following the above fundamentals of good writing, you can write a unified paragraph. These same concepts can also be applied to the essay’s body paragraphs. Proofreading and revising your essay so that it is unified is also an excellent attribute.
References
- "Paragraph Unity, Coherence, and Development." . Wheaton College. Web. 9 Nov 2013. <http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Services/Writing-Center/Writing-Resources/Paragraph-Unity-Coherence-and-Development>.
- Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write A Thesis. Lawrenceville: Peterson, 2003.35. Print.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- ↑ Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write A Thesis. Lawrenceville: Peterson, 2003.95. Print.
- ↑ Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write A Thesis. Lawrenceville: Peterson, 2003.95. Print.
- ↑ Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write A Thesis. Lawrenceville: Peterson, 2003.35. Print.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 7 . Print.