Coherence in a paragraph means that all the ideas fit together in a logical flow. In a coherent paragraph, the relationship between ideas is clear, and one idea connects logically to the next. Coherence can be achieved by using transitions, logical order, pronouns, and parallel forms. Using Transitions for Coherence Transitions show how one idea... Continue Reading →
Some Common Bad Advice (In Literary Writing)
1. Tell the examiners what they want to know This advice, though sensible enough in itself, is generally taken to mean that there is a concrete body of information about the text under discussion which the examiners will expect to receive from every candidate. But so is not the case. There isn’t any particular viewpoint... Continue Reading →
Five Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them (In Research Process)
1. Deciding on the right answer to your research question before you begin Deciding on the conclusion you will draw in your research paper before you actually do the research and become aware of the scholarly conversation around your topic is a bad idea. Starting your research by looking for books and articles that confirm... Continue Reading →
Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum
A summary is a brief statement, in your own words, of the content of a passage (a group of paragraphs, a chapter, an article, or a book). This restatement should focus on the central idea of the passage. The briefest of summaries (one or two sentences) will do no more than this. A longer, more... Continue Reading →
Structure of an Academic Essay
An academic essay has three basic parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. 1. Introduction A proper introduction of an academic essay has a hook, background information, and a thesis statement. A hook is a statement that begins the introduction. It includes one or two interesting sentences that engage the reader’s attention and stimulate... Continue Reading →
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Education
[The following question is often asked in exams these days. I have always found my students struggling to write a good answer to it. Here I have written an answer in well-composed paragraphs as a model for the students to read and learn from.] What are advantages and disadvantages of online education? (The answer to... Continue Reading →
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