Cohesion and Clarity
12- 4
Tips for Writing Linear Paragraphs
Follow these tips for writing linear paragraphs in your scientific manuscript: ▪ Begin a new paragraph for each new idea. ▪ Keep paragraphs short (that is, several to a page). ▪ Include a topic sentence, usually at the beginning, and include only those sentences that relate to or support the topic. ▪ Connect the ideas within a paragraph in a clearly understandable order, using transitional words when appropriate.
Each tip is discussed in detail below.
√
Begin a new paragraph for each new idea.
In a unified paragraph, each sentence contributes to the discussion of the main idea. If 2 main ideas are present in a single paragraph, divide the paragraph into 2 paragraphs.
Look at the following example. Is it unified? That is, does it have a single main idea and supporting sentences? If not, why not?
FNA biopsy of palpable lesions has several benefits. First, it is quick. Second, it is associated with a low morbidity rate and is tolerated well by patients, most of whom do not even require local anesthesia. Third, the cells collected by FNA biopsy can not only be evaluated morphologically but also be used to perform a detailed immunophenotypic and molecular analysis. Fourth, FNA allows the pathologist to sample more than one area of the mass. The risks associated with the procedure are minimal: slight oozing of blood and a remote risk of infection. Although the risk of seeding theoretically exists, it is typically not seen. … (From Crapanzano, 2002) The example begins with a discussion of the benefits of FNA biopsy. The topic then changes to the risks associated with the procedure. Thus, the paragraph contains 2 main ideas and is not unified.
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software