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English Handout on: Paragraph Writing and Exam Techniques for Questions about Paragraph Coherence: By Million Abebe (MA in TEFL/English and B. Ed. Degree in Pedagogy): 2023





Overview
Our paragraph writing material has three sections: 
  • Handout on Paragraph Writing and Erxam Techniques to answer questions about paragraph writing
  • Grade 12 Entrance Exam: 1995-2015EC: Questions on Paragraph Writing
  • Explanation Grade 12 Entrance Exam: 1995-2015EC: Questions on Paragraph Writing
This post focuses only on "Handout on Paragraph Writing and Erxam Techniques to answer questions about paragraph writing"; the rest two sections are presented in other posts (see the links at the END!)! 
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1. Paragraph Writing
Paragraph is a piece of writing that consists one or a group of sentences that convey the same or related ideas or one idea. Effectively constructed paragraph should have or consist, at least, the next 6 elements: topic sentence, supportive sentences, concluding sentence, unity, organization and coherence. For more, the next explanation!
  • Topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in a more general way.  
    • It is written/ expressed in more general terms.  
    • It tells the reader what to expect.  
    • It gives clear direction that both the readers and the writer will follow.  
    • We can have only topic sentence within a single paragraph.
    • It could be found at the beginning/middle/end of the given paragraph.
  • Supportive sentences/body/supportive details support the topic sentence by explaining it more with example/other ways.
    • They give additional specific information about the main idea. 
    • They could be found anywhere depending the given topic sentence within a single paragraph.
  • Concluding sentence is a sentence that closes a paragraph by reflecting the main idea of the paragraph /topic sentence.  
    • It summarizes the paragraph by using expression like ‘to sum up, to generalize, generally...’  
    • This sentence may not appear in all paragraph.  
  • Unity, in paragraph writing, deals with oneness of the ideas in a given paragraph.  
    • That means each sentence or idea that is used in one paragraph should have relationship with topic sentence and also with one another.  
    • It is strong relationship between supportive sentences and topic sentence.  
    • If unrelated sentence is used in our paragraph, we say that this paragraph lacks unity.  
    • That means, there must be strong relationship among the ideas within one paragraph.
  • Organization/sequence of paragraph refers to the arrangements of ideas.
    • From simple to complex or vise-verse
    • From general to specific or vise-verse
    • From recent to past or vise-verse
    • Based on their geographical location or special orders....
  • Coherence refers to a logical flow of ideas in one paragraph.  
    • We say a paragraph is coherence when its sentences or ideas are interconnected in a logical order.  
    • In addition to arrangement, the ideas should be connected by using different connectors.
Connectors/Expressions (Some)
  • Reason Connectors: Because, as, since, for, due to, because of ...
  • Contrasting Connectors: But, although, however, in contrast, contrary to, nevertheless, whereas,
  • Result Expressions: Therefore, as a result, consequently, for this reason, so,
  • Order Expressions: First, second, before, ago, then, now, eventually…
  • Addition Expressions: And, or, also, moreover, furthermore, in addition ...
  • Purpose Expressions: To, in order to, in order that, so as, so that
  • Summary Expressions: Generally, to sum up, to generalize, in short,
  • Exemplification: For example, to illustrate, for instance, such as, namely, that is...
Samples/Examples
Look in the next example, the underlined and bolded words.

Modal verbs convey two main areas of meaning. One is connected to the degree of certainty of something. It has to do with matters of knowledge, belief and supposition, indicating if an action or situation is certain, probable, possible or impossible (epistemic modality). The other is related to the ideas of obligation or freedom to act, expressing the capability, opportunity, permission or on the contrary, prohibition to perform a given action. In short, the above mentionedatwo areas are among modal verbs' main areas of meaning.

  • Topic sentence: The paragraph has topic sentence.
    • 'Modal verbs convey two main areas of meaning.' (beginning)
  • Concluding sentence: The paragraph has concluding sentence.
    • 'In short, the above mentionedatwo areas are among modal verbs' main areas of meaning.'
  • Supportive sentences: The paragraph has supportive sentences.
    • All the rest sentence/clauses support the main idea. 
  • Unity: the paragraph has unity.
    • Look, all the sentence/clauses are related to the topic sentence: they talk about modal verbs.
  • Organization: The paragraph has organization.
    • Look each sentence; the ideas are arranged from general to specific.
  • Coherence: The paragraph has coherence.
    • Look all the bolded and red colored words and commas! 

2. Questions about Paragraph Writing and Exam Techniques  

Overview 
In the above discussion, paragraph is briefly explained; next, 'how questions about paragraph writing could be asked' (two ways) and to be answered (two techniques) are briefly discussed.
In relation to paragraph writing, there are many ways in which students are asked questions about paragraph writing, especially, on Grade 12 Entrance Exam (English: Ethiopia); the following are some of the common ways:
  • 'Paragraph Coherence Questions'
  • 'Identifying Main Idea/Conclusion of Paragraph Questions'
  • 'Questions about Paragraph Development Techniques' 
In this material (paragraph writing material), we focus only on the first two ways: 
Coherence and Main Idea/Conclusion of Paragraph Questions.
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A. 'Paragraph Coherence Questions' and Exam Techniques 
'Paragraph coherence questions section' is one of the 6 sections in questions about writing (on Grade 12 English Entrance Exam: Ethiopia)! They are about paragraph writing. But coherence questions are the most challenging section in English Exams (Entrance, Model, Class Exams ...). They are 'time consuming' just like passage questions! 

Dear students, you have to give more attention and also use different exam techniques that could help you to answer these types of questions! For this reason, here, you are given two simple and effective exam techniques. We could answer any question about paragraph coherence using one the following two exam techniques or using both together. 
  • Using Word Clue Technique
  • Using 'generality' vs 'specificity' 
1. Using Word Clue Technique
Using word clue technique is a process of looking for some key words and using them as clue. For example, if one/some of the followings are used in the given sentences, we can use them as clue. 
  • Conjunctions/Connectors: and, but, however, also, for example, for instance, eventually, then, on the other hand, in short, all in all…
  • Demonstrative pronouns: these, this, those, that
  • Pronouns: It, they, he, she, we, my, their, its,… 
Such type words could indicate that something is mentioned before or earlier. That means, mostly, sentence with one of these and other related words could not be used at the beginning of a paragraph (unless some exception)!

Let's see these: how to apply the techniques!

Q.1. ..... (Grade 12 Entrance: 2003)
a. That is why we take care of them.
b. Some animals are very useful to us.
c. Domestic animals serve us in many ways.
d. Such animals are called domestic animals.
e. For example, we give them food and shelter.
A. d, c, e, d, a     B. d, c, a, b, e  
C. b, d, c, a, e,    D. c, d, a, b, e
Explanation-1
We can answer the above question simply by using 'word clue techniques'; that means, using the given connectors/transitional words or pronouns as a clue. Look again the question and find such type of words. For example, the words "them", "domestic", "such", "for example"... indicate that something was said before. All the sentences which have these words can't be used at the beginning of this paragraph. So, choices A (sentence 'd': 'such') & B (sentence 'd': 'such') should be eliminated because they can't be used at the beginning. The word 'such' (as used on sentence 'd') indicates that something has already been said/before. 
You have 50% probability of getting, now. You are left with two choices (C&D); when you are left with types options (2 choices), you have to eliminate one of them. To eliminate one of them, take their first sentences; compare them; then eliminate unrelated choice. Look choice C begins with sentence 'b' whereas choice D with sentence 'c'. Sentence 'b' is more general "some" refers to both domestic and wild animals. Choice D should be eliminated.
Ans. C
Note: The small letters 'a, b, c, d and e' refer to the given sentences; capital letters 'A, B, C and D' refer the given choices! 
2. Using 'Generality' vs 'Specificity'
'Generality' vs 'specificity' is the other way/techniques to answer paragraph questions about paragraph writing specifically about 'paragraph coherence'!
It is process of taking each sentence (the given sentences as 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd' ...), cross-checking with each other and identifying more general sentence/a sentence that should come first; then, eliminating the rest! 
Q.2. ...  (G-12: Entrance: 2014N)
a. One problem in relation to city buses is that should arrive at 7:00 in the morning may not arrive until 8:00 or later.
b. Unfortunately, many people are often late for work or miss important appointment.
c. Poor public transportation system is a big problem in city.
d. Moreover, bus drivers often pass up groups of people waiting for the bus at the bus stops.
A. a b c d      B. c a d b    
C. b c d a      D. a c d b 
Explanation-2
Using 'generality' vs 'specificity' techniques, this question could be answered in one step/two steps, simply, taking each choice sentence and cross-checking with each other to identify more general sentence.
Look the above sentences ('a'-'d'); sentences 'c' is more general than the rest 3 sentences ('a', 'b' and 'd'). Because it talks generally about 'poorness of public transportation system'; the rest 3 sentences ('a', 'b' and 'd' talk about the causes and effects of this). Sentences 'a' and 'd' talk about the causes but sentence 'b' talks about the effect 'being late for work or miss important appointment'. Based on these, eliminate all the choices that don't begin with sentences 'c'; all are eliminated except choice B.
Ans. B 
Attention Please!
Dear students, you are given "Grade 12 Entrance Exam: 1995-2015EC: Questions on Paragraph Writing with Explanation and Exam Techniques"! 
B. Identifying Main Idea/Topic Sentence/ Conclusion of Paragraph 
Identifying main idea/topic sentence/conclusion of a given paragraph is another way in which questions about paragraph writing could be asked! 
Next, you are given some sample questions and also exam techniques to answer these types of questions!

Directions: Read the next paragraph carefully and then choose the choice that contains the main idea of the given paragraph!

"The African Nations Cup started in Sudan in 1957. At the time, although many countries had lively national club competitions, there were very few international matches between African national teams and so only three countries took part: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. 

Q. (G-12: Entrance: 2013)
A. Three countries started the African Nations Cup.
B. The history of African Nations Cup goes as far back as 1957.
C. African countries were hardly involved in matches in1957.
D. In 1957, many African countries had national clubs.
Explanation-3
You could any question (paragraph writing) that asks for 'main idea' by applying 'generality' vs 'specificity' techniques. This means, take the ideas on each choice; cross-check them and see/identify a choice that contains more general idea; then eliminate the rest choices. 
For example, look the above choices; take each choice and cross-check them. Choices C and D are too specific because they talk about what happened in 1957; eliminate them. 
But the ideas on choices A and B are more general than the ideas on choices C and D. Now, compare the ideas on choices A and B; the idea on choice B is more general than the ideas on choice A because it talks about the starting point. Generally, the paragraph talks about when African Nations Cup began and the conditions at that time.
Ans. B
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