Day 7: Coherence

Introduction

Sometimes, a gap in understanding between how we read our essays and how others read our essays can cause a reader to be confused when a writer feels that the meaning is clear. How can you be sure that your reader will receive the message you are sending and understand your essay?

In this module, you will learn two strategies for analyzing your writing and constructing good, understandable patterns.

Open the Coherence PowerPoint to follow along and take notes on your own screen.

Old/New Information patterns

In this section we will look at examples of paragraphs that do and do not follow Old/New Information structures. Please refer to the handout titled Coherent Lecture Text.
We will also take a minute to reflect on how Transition phrases assist in creating Old/New Information patters. A comprehensive list of transition words can be found here. 

Word chains exercise

One means of assessing whether your paragraphs are coherent is to use word chains. Word chains are a way of categorizing the words you use in your paragraphs to ascertain whether you stay on track as you write, and whether you carry your ideas to the end of each paragraph.

Open the Word chains exercise found below in the coherence practice handout link.

Parallel structures

From the lecture, you are aware of known, new, and old information. However, as you might guess, this is another way of making sure your paragraphs are coherent and that you make sure to introduce every new idea that you wish to include in your paper.

We’re going to take a look at parallel structures in essays and examine how they contribute to coherence.

Practice on parallel worksheet can be found in the coherence practice handout. The key to this handout is given here.

Engineering Activity

Open the Coherence engineering prompt.

Save this Word document to your Dropbox as Name_coherence_FA12. Then, open your diagnostic essay from your Dropbox. Copy and paste one body paragraph into your Word document.

Using your knowledge of  Old/New Information patterns, pick 2 highlighter colors, and create a key at the top of your paper: Old and New. Analyze and highlight your paragraph according to this structure. 

Now, copy that same paragraph and paste it below. Remove all highlighting and create another key titled. Word Chain 1, Word Chain 2, Word Chain 3. Go through the paragraph again looking for word chain patterns and highlighting them accordingly.

 Once you have finished the highlights, in 1-2 paragraphs, write an analysis of your original diagnostic paragraph. How did you do with respect to the old/new information patterns and word chains? Did you have trouble with this concept? How, specifically, would you suggest improvements to your paper?