College of San Mateo Computer Online Writing

Unity, Support and Coherence in Your Paragraphs

Support

Not only is it important for readers to be able to identify the main idea of each body paragraph in your essay, but they should also be convinced that the main idea is logical and intelligent. If the sentences don't provide the specific details required to prove the main point, readers may not find your idea valid and persuasive.
 

Support is when the sentences in a paragraph provide enough precise details to prove the main point, as stated in the topic sentence. 

 

Exercise 1
Model Paragraph #1

.....1My sister has given up a life of her own in order to give her family special attention. 2Not only has she given up a great deal for her immediate family, but her generosity is also evident in her relationship with relatives, friends, and co-workers. 3Responsible for much kindness in the community, my sister always volunteers when the people in her city require help. 4She also donates large sums of money to charities every year. 5My sister is the most generous woman I know.

1. In Model Paragraph #1, find the topic sentence, the sentence which states the main point of the paragraph.

Type the number of the topic sentence

reason

2. Does Model Paragraph #1 have unity?

Type yes or no

reason

Model Paragraph #2

..... 1My dad is easily angered by normal, everyday mistakes. 2One day my father told me to do the laundry and vacuum the house. 3I did not hear exactly what he said, so I asked him to repeat it. 4At this point he burst out angrily, "Are you deaf?" 5Another time he asked my mother to go the store and purchase groceries with a fifty dollar bill; he insisted that she spend no more than twenty dollars. 6She spent twenty-two dollars. 7As soon as he discovered she had exceeded his limit, he refused to speak to her for the rest of the day. 8My father even gives my older brothers a hard time with his irritable nature. 9One day he ordered them to return home from their dates by midnight. 10When they arrived back at our house ten minutes late, my father informed them that they were grounded for two weeks.

3. In Model Paragraph #2, find the topic sentence, the sentence which states the main point of the paragraph.

Type the number of the topic sentence

reason

4. Does Model Paragraph #2 have unity?

Type yes or no

reason

5. Which paragraph, Model Paragraph #1 or Model Paragraph #2, offers enough specific details to prove the topic sentence? In other words, which paragraph has adequate support?

Type 1 or 2

reason

Model Paragraph #1

.....1My sister has given up a life of her own in order to give her family special attention. 2Not only has she given up a great deal for her immediate family, but her generosity is also evident in her relationship with relatives, friends, and co-workers. 3Responsible for much kindness in the community, my sister always volunteers when the people in her city require help. 4She also donates large sums of money to charities every year. 5My sister is the most generous woman I know.

6. Where should specific support be inserted in Model Paragraph 1? For example, after sentence #1, specific evidence is missing. Adding details which explain what the sister gave up, what her family wants and what she gave them would create a more convincing and stronger paragraph. In the spaces below, type the other sentence numbers after which more specific evidence should be inserted.

reason

Exercise 2

Notes for Paragraph #3

Topic sentence:
College is an important component of later success.
1Everyone knows it is crucial.
2Studies show its importance.
3More people attend every year.
4Number of high school college prep courses increasing.
5State legislature recognize its importance with funding.

1. Do the notes for paragraph #3 offer enough specific details to support the topic sentence?

Type yes or no

reason

Notes for Paragraph #4

Topic sentence:
During spring and fall migrations, Central Park, a stopover place for rest and refueling, provides a terrific place for birdwatching.
1Millions of songbirds funnel into Central Park.
2Great variety of birds in small geographic area.
3In one day birdwatchers saw 124 species there.
4Chance to see species not regularly found in this locale.
5Birds are so tired they rest for hours on branches, so they are easy to see.

2. Do the notes for paragraph #4 offer enough specific details to support the topic sentence?

Type yes or no

reason

Notes for Paragraph #5

Topic sentence:
Dr. Jack Kevorkian or Dr. Death wanted to publicize the issue of active euthanasia.
1Provided 130 terminally-ill patients with means to kill themselves.
2Regularly gave interviews about his assistance with suicides to publications such as NY Times.
3Advertised a suicide machine for terminally-ill patients he had designed.
4Videotaped himself injecting a terminally-ill man with fatal dose of drugs and gave the tape to "60 Minutes."
5His quote:"I want to be prosecuted for euthanasia. I am going to prove this is not a crime."

3. Do the notes for paragraph #5 offer enough specific details to support the topic sentence?

Type yes or no

reason

Notes for Paragraph #6

Topic sentence:
Smoking is dangerous to human health.
1Smoking can cause serious damage to body.
2It is very hard to quit.
3Smoking can make other health problems worse.
4Second hand smoke is a danger.
5Smoking particularly bad during pregnancy

4. Do the notes for paragraph #6 offer enough specific details to support the topic sentence?

Type yes or no

reason

 

Exercise 3

Model Paragraph #7

..... 1In high school often just attending class insures that a student will pass whereas in college a student may attend all classes and still not pass if test and paper grades do not earn at least a C average. 2In college the homework is more difficult. 3High school has more structure. 4Clearly, college is much more challenging than high school.

1. In Model Paragraph #7, find the topic sentence, the sentence which states the main point of the paragraph.

Type the number of the topic sentence

reason

2. Does Model Paragraph #7 have unity?

Type yes or no

reason

3. Are there any places where additional support should be added?

In the spaces below, type the sentence numbers after which more specific evidence should be inserted.

reason

Model Paragraph #8

..... 1Ground beef and chicken are both great to have on hand in the refrigerator since there are so many convenient ways to prepare them both. 2Ground beef can be used with pinto beans, jalapeno peppers, tomato sauce and onions to make a spicy chili in a matter of minutes. 3It can also quickly be sauteed with garlic, basil, and fresh tomatoes for a delicious pasta sauce. 4Finally, ground beef can be formed into patties and placed under the broiler for five minutes on each side for juicy hamburgers served on onion rolls with sliced tomato, lettuce and onions. 5Chicken has as many possibilities as ground beef. 6For crisp fried chicken, pieces can be dipped in egg, rolled in bread crumbs, and cooked in an oiled skillet.

4. In Model Paragraph #8, find the topic sentence, the sentence which states the main point of the paragraph.

Type the number of the topic sentence

reason

5. Does Model Paragraph #8 have unity?

Type yes or no

reason

6 Are there any places where additional support should be added?

In the space below, type the sentence number after which more specific evidence should be inserted.

reason

Model Paragraph #9

..... 1Saturn is a planet which is unique and interesting because of its magnificent ring. 2None of the other planets in our solar system possess a ring. 3Even in a small telescope, with a circumference about the size of twenty Earth diameters, Saturn's ring makes the planet intriguing to observe in the sky. 4The ring actually consists of hundreds of thousands of ringlets made of individual boulders, each the size of a car. 5Interestingly, the ringlets orbit Saturn for the same reason that the Earth's oceans have tides: tidal forces. 6For any two objects at different distances from Saturn, the nearer one is attracted to Saturn with a stronger force than the farther one. 7Due to this difference in gravity, objects orbiting at different distances from Saturn do not form a moon, but instead create an exquisite, unique ring composed of separate ringlets.

7. In Model Paragraph #9, find the topic sentence, the sentence which states the main point of the paragraph.

Type the number of the topic sentence

reason

8. Does Model Paragraph #9 have unity?

Type yes or no

reason

9. Are there any places where additional support should be added?

In the space below, type the sentence number after which more specific evidence should be inserted.

reason

 

 

To Check for Support, Ask:

 

1. What is the topic sentence?

 

2. Do the sentences all offer specific details to support the topic sentence?

 

3. Are there enough specific details?

 

Now that you understand how to judge whether a paragraph has adequate support, click below to continue:

 

Coherence