Micro-Level Coherence

1. Micro-Level Coherence Course: Intermediate English Writing (I) Class: FL2001702 Professor : Shu-Li Lai (Sally) Student: Vicky Lin (B9830403) Lily Xu (B9808006) Flora Ye (B9808004) Tony Huang Date: 2010/12/09

2. Contents • I . Definition of Micro Coherence …… presented by Vicky Lin • II. Examples of Parallel Structure …… presented by Tony Huang • III. Introduction into “Key Terms” …… presented by Lily Xu • IV. Purpose of Transitional Words and Phrases ” …… presented by Flora Ye

3. I. Definition • What does “micro” mean? Micro is a prefix of Greek origin that is most commonly known for its usage in the word microscopic, the prefix refers to an object as being smaller than scale of focus, in contrast with macro. • What does “coherence” mean? Coherence describes a writer’s ability to connect ideas and provide information ina fluid and comprehensible way. At the paragraph level, coherence is achievedthrough lexical and sentence structure choices. • What does “Micro-Level Coherence” refer to?

4. Three Methods of Achieving Coherence 1. Use parallel sentence structure. 2. Repeat key terms. 3. Use transitional words and phrases. • Using Parallel Sentence Structure Parallel sentence structure is effective because it… puts the reader into a rhythm of reading S-V-O. Parallelism concerns the balance of a sentence, or the similarity of words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. Sound complicated? It’s not, really. The following sentences have parallelism of words: Bethany enjoys baking cakes, cookies, and brownies. She doesn’t like washing dishes, ironing clothes, or mopping the floor. This sentences do not: Bethany enjoys baking cakes, cookies, and to make brownies. She doesn’t like washing dishes, to iron clothes or mop the floor.

5. This paragraph is coherent. But why? • Everyone at NASA is excited about Jules Verne. The satellite • Jules Verne launched into low Earth orbit atop an Ariane 5ES • carrier rocket on Friday. It lifted off from ELA-3 at the Guiana • Space Centre at 4:03:04. The spacecraft separated from the • carrier rocket 1 hour 6 minutes and 41 seconds after lift-off, • and navigation systems were subsequently activated. Two days • later, on 11 March, the four main engines of the satellite fired • for the first time, marking the beginning of several orbital • insertion boosts. By all accounts, the operation of the satellite • and its propulsion system were successful.

6. Answer: • Everyone at NASA is excited about Jules Verne. The satellite • Jules Vernelaunched into low Earth orbit atop an Ariane 5ES • carrier rocket on Friday. Itliftedoff from ELA-3 at the Guiana • Space Centre at 4:03:04. The spacecraftseparatedfrom the • carrier rocket 1 hour 6 minutes and 41 seconds after lift-off, • and navigation systems were subsequently activated. Two days • later, on 11 March, the four main engines of the satellitefired • for the first time, marking the beginning of several orbital • insertion boosts. By all accounts, the operation of the satellite • and its propulsion systemweresuccessful. Notice that most of the sentences above have a variation of ‘Jules Verne Satellite’ as the subject.

7. How about this one? Tonight will be a stomach-churning moment for Mr. Bush, and he must be puzzling over how he got snarled in this nightmare, with Old Europe making him beg, North Korea making him wince, the deficit making him cringe, the lost manufacturing jobs making him gulp; with the hawks caving in to the U.N. and to old Saddam Baath army members who want to rebuild a security force; with Representative David Obey demanding the unilateral heads of Rummy and Wolfie, so that "Uncle Sam doesn't become Uncle Sucker"; with the FBI warning that more Islamic terrorists who know how to fly planes may be burrowing into our neighborhoods.

8. Authentic Parallel Structure- Tonight will be a stomach-churning moment for Mr. Bush, and he must be puzzling over how he got snarled in this nightmare, with Old Europe making him beg, North Korea making him wince, the deficit making him cringe, the lost manufacturing jobs making him gulp; with the hawks caving in to the U.N. and to old Saddam Baath army members who want to rebuild a security force; with Representative David Obey demanding the unilateral heads of Rummy and Wolfie, so that "Uncle Sam doesn't become Uncle Sucker"; with the FBI warning that more Islamic terrorists who know how to fly planes may be burrowing into our neighborhoods.

9. II. Parallel Structure • Words and Phrases • Clauses • Lists After a Colon Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

10. Words and Phrases • With the -ing form of words: • Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling • With infinitive phrases: • Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. • Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle

11. Don’t mix forms. • Not Parallel • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. • Parallel • The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

12. Clauses • Not Parallel • The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers.(passive) • Parallel • The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him question. A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb will break the parallelism.

13. List After a Colon • Not Parallel • The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. • Parallel • The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs. Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.

14. III. Key Terms • What are key terms? A : key terms in English writing are the words related to the topic and that a paragraph or an essay are talking about now. • how to use key terms to make an good essay ?

15. Repetition • Repeat key terms again and again in your paragraph or essay. • Key terms can be interchanged with synonymous words • It can remind the reader what the topic or main ideas a paragraph or an essay are talking about now.

16. A Good Restaurant There are certain qualities that are typical of a good restaurant. Good restaurants provide fast and friendly service. The hostesses and servers are friendly and courteous at all times. In addition, the servers make sure that customers receive their food in a timely fashion. Since customers go to a restaurant to ear , obviously that quality of the food is important. A good restaurant also use fresh ingredients in its dishes, which are usually served hot. Good restaurants also have a pleasant atmosphere. They pay attention to details such as the decorations, lighting and cleanliness. Data from: Essay writing textbook P.14

17. The public typically has mixed reactions to the space program and NASA. Some people just think spaceexplorationcosts too much. Bill Starkson, a conservative taxpayer says, “14 billion dollars is what it costs to launch and maintain a manned spacecraft, which is ridiculous.” When a spacecraftis successful, the public is thought to approve of its nation’s accomplishments. This is true, but by a small margin. Only 56% of the public approved of the last successful shuttle.

18. Repetition vs. Redundancy • Repetition • It repeats key terms again and again to reminds the reader what the main ideas an essay are talking about now. It improve the coherence of an essay • Redundancy • It means you frustrated, tiredly repeating the same nouns, verbs, or adjectives, or making the same point over and over. (over use repetition) It should be avoided when writing an essay.

19. IV. What is the purpose of the transitional words and phrases？ Move the reader from one idea to the next Give reader an idea of what to expect in the sentence Provide coherence Show the relationship of the ideas in the two clauses

23. Some hints for use • Transitions become stronger when they are the first word in a sentence, milder when they are moved a few words into the sentence • When two sentences are combined into one sentence, and a semicolon is used before the transition word. A comma is used after the transition word.

24. In the United States, many young people do not like to read the newspaper. Reading the paper is very important to me. It is the best way of getting information about world events. It has a lot of entertaining sections. Knowing about world events is most important. I read the front page and the world news sections first. I also enjoy sports and comics. I read those sections next. I like to do the crossword puzzle. Sometimes I don’t have time for it. I learn a lot from reading the paper. It is a relaxing way to spend my time.

25. In the United States, many young people do not like to read the newspaper. In contrast, reading the paper is very important to me. It is the best way of getting information about world events; moreover, it has a lot of entertaining sections. Knowing about world events is most important; therefore, I read the front page and the world news sections first. I also enjoy sports and comics. As a result, I read those sections next. I like to do the crossword puzzle; however, sometimes I don’t have time for it. I learn a lot from reading the paper. Besides, it is a relaxing way to spend my time.