English: paragraph order, cohesion and introductions
| English | 中文 | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| antecedent/ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ | 先行词 | xiān xíng cí |
| cohesion/kəʊˈhiːʒn/ | 衔接 | xián jiē |
A decision before an answer
- “However” signals a contrast. It cannot make two supporting examples into opposing claims.
- Your goal: Order sentences according to references and logical dependence.
Read the relationship
- Create a brief passage outline before a placement decision: problem, response, evidence, limitation or another supported sequence. Paragraph order is not determined by length. A sentence beginning with this approach requires a recoverable approach before it; a reported result generally follows the procedure producing it. Check both the preceding and following sentence at each candidate position.
- Choose transitions expressing the relationship actually present.
Which sentence must precede “This arrangement let two groups test the route”?
It identifies the arrangement referred to.
Use the defining rule
- Transitions express logic. Additionally adds support, however introduces contrast, consequently signals a result and for example introduces an instance. A transition can be locally fluent but wrong for the actual connection. Remove it mentally, name the relation between the ideas, then choose the expression. Chronological sequence and causal explanation can differ.
- Write an introduction or conclusion fitting the whole passage.
“The new sign was clear. ____, a branch blocked the next sign.” Best transition?
The second sentence limits the success described in the first.
Check the conditions
- An introduction should establish the passage’s subject and direction without overclaiming or detailing a result the passage never discusses. A conclusion can draw together the passage’s evidence or return to its purpose. It should not introduce an unrelated new problem requiring a separate argument. The task may ask for a specific function, such as linking a paragraph back to the opening.
- Write an introduction or conclusion fitting the whole passage.
Original paragraph, scrambled: [A] “This arrangement let two groups test the route on the same afternoon.” [B] “Volunteers first divided into a cycling group and a walking group.” [C] “Both groups then recorded where the route signs were hard to see.” [D] “Their notes guided the placement of larger signs the following week.” Order B–A–C–D establishes the arrangement, explains its benefit, reports the observation and follows with the response. In “The larger signs were easier to notice; however, one remained hidden by a branch,” however introduces a real limitation. A conclusion promising that no visitor will ever get lost would exceed the reported evidence.
In “The teams kept notes. These notes informed revisions,” “these notes” refers to the teams’ ____.
A repeated noun phrase makes the reference clear.
Apply the task format
- For an insertion or reorder item, read the resulting whole paragraph. Pronoun reference, repeated terms and contrast pairs provide constraints, but one cue alone is not enough. Keep the passage’s unity: a sentence’s general topic may match while its function interrupts the argument. These targeted cases prepare the editing process rather than reproduce an official full-form passage.
- Write an introduction or conclusion fitting the whole passage.
Do not attach “this arrangement” before its antecedent or use a result transition merely because events occurred later.
Which answer fits this case?
Order sentences according to references and logical dependence
A conclusion should introduce an unrelated major topic.
It should fit and complete the passage’s existing purpose.
Keep the distinctions
- cohesion 衔接 — Connections that let a reader follow relationships between sentences.
- antecedent 先行词 — The earlier referent to which a pronoun or referring expression points.
- Order sentences according to references and logical dependence.
- Choose transitions expressing the relationship actually present.
- Write an introduction or conclusion fitting the whole passage.
Match each term with its precise meaning in this lesson.
Keep the distinctions stated in the teaching example.
Put this lesson’s reasoning or event sequence in order.
The order follows the stated process; check each stage before the next.