Day 7: Unity and Coherence

Part I: Topic Sentence Practice    2:00-2:35

Today we will start out with a discussion/review on the purpose of the topic sentence. You can follow along by click on this PowerPoint. Then, we will work in pairs to complete a handout where we write topic sentences based on preexisting paragraphs. The link to the handout can be found here.

Part II: Irrelevant and Misplaced Information   2:25-3:35

In this section of today, we will look at three essays that each contain an element of irrelevant or misplaced information. We will work in pairs to identify that information and then discuss as a class how/why it is irrelevant to the topic of the paragraph. To access this activity, please click here. 

Part III: Maintaining Coherence   3:35-2:55

Maintaining Coherence is an important part of writing. It enables the readers to easily follow your train of thought in a logical connected fashion. In this part of today's class, we are going to take a look at these three devices:

1) Transitional expressions 
2) Direct pronoun reference
3) Repetition of key words

First let us look to the handout I gave you today titled, Maintaining Coherence. We will briefly go over this handout before taking a look at the handout titled, The Beauty of Coherence. 


Part IV: Mini Peer Review   2:55-3:20

For the last 25 minutes of class, we will get into small groups of three or four and utilize the Diagnostic Essay Revision Rubric as a guide in giving appropriate feedback. The Rubric is located here.