To achieve coherence, then, a writer should show how all of the ideas contained in a paragraph are relevant to the main topic.Ĭonsider the example below. When a writer changes main ideas or topics within a paragraph, confusion often results. For this reason, coherence is closely related to unity. Managers treat workers like objects, not human beings.' CoherenceĬoherence refers to the extent to which the flow of ideas in a paragraph is easily understood by the reader. Managers at Jonstone Electric act as though their employees are incapable of making decisions or doing their own work. Management's attitude toward its employees should also be improved. If people felt they were a part of a team, they would not misuse the tools, or deliberately undermine the work of others. The workers do not feel that they are a working team instead of just individuals. 'Employees' attitudes at Jonstone Electric Company should be improved. The topic sentence indicates that the paragraph will deal with the subject of 'employees' attitudes,' but the paragraph shifts unexpectedly to the topic of 'management's attitudes.' To achieve unity in this paragraph, the writer should begin a new paragraph when the switch is made from employees to managers. Note that there are two main ideas presented in this paragraph. The reader can expect that a given paragraph will deal only with one main topic when a new paragraph begins, this signals that the writer is moving on to a new topic.Ĭonsider the following example. Unity is important because it aids the reader in following along with the writer's ideas. When the writer changes to a new idea - one which is not consistent with the topic sentence of the paragraph - the writer should begin a new paragraph.

Unity refers to the extent to which all of the ideas contained within a given paragraph 'hang together' in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. Each of these characteristics is discussed below. Effective paragraphs have four main characteristics: a topic sentence, unity, coherence, and adequate development.

PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT Paragraph DevelopmentĪ paragraph is a collection of sentences which all relate to one main idea or topic.

Focus unity and coherence in writing