The Paragraph -- Continuity between Sentences

In this lesson, we'll look at some paragraphs to see how they link between sentences to provide continuity.

Look at the following. Here are some ways that thoughts can be linked within a paragraph. It may be a little bit like the way propositions are linked in a syllogism. Writing is a way to express thoughts, so it will tend to resemble or imitate the process of thinking. This is true with fictional writing as well as non-fiction, but the thoughts expressed will be different, of course.

I'll put the links I want you to notice in italics.

Linking by Subject:

In the second sentence, reuse the subject of the first sentence, or a pronoun or synonym that stands for the subject.

Aidan wanted to go outside. He kept asking everyone around if they would go with him.

Linking by a Different Part of the First Sentence.

Repeat a different part of the first sentence, or a pronoun or synonym for the sentence part.

Paddy spent all afternoon playing Spiderman. The game seemed to inspire him to jump wildly around.

Repeat the predicate with a different subject.

This sounds like the second one, but it is different in that it provides a parallel or contrast.

Paddy jumped up and down. Aidan started jumping up and down, too.

Parallel or contrasting sentence structure.

This is a step up from the last one in that the subject and predicate are both different, but the structure of the sentences sets up a comparison/contrast.

Paddy played a game. Aidan watched him play.

Here's another one. I can't italicize anything, but you can see the similarity in the structure.

Paddy played a game. Aidan, meanwhile, went outside.

Transitions

Things like "next", "then", "according to". See here for some examples. This is usually used in a paragraph that is about process or has an order of time.

Paddy turned on the Playstation. After that, he played. By evening, he was very tired.

Of course, as usual, writing texts simplify things for the sake of clarity. I am doing the same thing here. Any real paragraph or sentence will probably differ from this just like a photograph differs from a crayon drawing. And you may have noticed, as I did in writing this, that often several strategies overlap. For example, in the last category, the sentences are all linked by the same subject.

For practice, make up some sentences orally with me.

(For Reference (you don't have to follow the link): Linking Sentences in a Paragraph)

Go on to NEXT section: Example