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. Although close in reference, both are elements in structuring organization. [3] Unity is achieved by determining that each sentence within the paragraph is relevant to the topic sentence and whether it adds something to the body which has already been constructed.[4]Contributing to the paragraph’s body should be a moderate transition, and establish balance within the paragraph. In addition, if each sentence in the paragraph logically follows that which precedes it; then the paragraph is coherent.[5]
Walter gives us a few common connectors (also called transitions):[6]
- For example,
- For instance,
- One example of (this) is
- First, Second, Third, etc
Maintaining Unity
An essay should never lose consistency on it's subject and assertion. Each paragraph should engage the reader both at a macro and micro level. Each paragraph should exhibit the argument or thesis of the essay while actively supporting the paragraph’s topic sentence.Generalizations should be supported with examples or illustrations.[7] It is important that all parts of each paragraph are functional.[8] 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 [9] :
- Be Direct
- Be you Consistent
- Be you Concise
- Be Relevant
By following the above fundamentals of good writing, you can write a clear unified paragraph. These same concepts can also be applied to the essay’s body paragraphs. Habitual proofreading and revising your essay so that it is unified and clear of errors is also an excellent attribute.
External Links
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/cohere.html.F. Scott Walters."Coherence and Unity".The TOEFL-Prep Writing Practice Site.10/14/99.4/11/2014
- ↑ http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Services/Writing-Center/Writing-Resources/Paragraph-Unity "Paragraph Unity, Coherence, and Development." . Wheaton College. Web. 9 Nov 2013.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 7 . Print.
References
- http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Services/Writing-Center/Writing-Resources/Paragraph-Unity-Coherence-and-Development>."Paragraph Unity, Coherence, and Development." . Wheaton College. Web. 9 Nov 2013.
- Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, 2010. 108. Print.
- Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write A Thesis. Lawrenceville: Peterson, 2003.35. Print.