What is unity in a paragraph?

Unity in a paragraph means that the entire paragraph should focus on one single idea. The supporting details
should explain the main idea. The concluding sentence should end the paragraph with the same idea. Thus, a
unified paragraph presents a thought, supports it with adequate details and completes it with a conclusion.

What is coherence in a paragraph?

Coherence means establishing a relationship between the ideas presented in a paragraph. It brings about a
rationale in the arrangement of the ideas which are introduced either in the chronological order or in the order of
importance. Besides, transitions that compare, contrast, illustrate, add or show cause and effect build logical
bridges. The ideas flow smoothly from one to the other in a logical sequence. This helps the reader to
understand the paragraph.

Coherence means that with the help of transitions and clear explanation of each idea in our
writing we try to create links which help the readers move smoothly from idea to idea within
the paragraph. 

A good paragraph has the characteristics of unity, coherence and emphasis. In unity a

paragraph must be unified on its structure. In coherence a paragraph must establish continuity

within or towards the other paragraph

A good paragraph has the characteristics of unity, coherence and emphasis. In unity a
paragraph must be unified on its structure. In coherence a paragraph must establish continuity
within or towards the other paragraph. In emphasis the idea within the paragraph should be
given importance and made to stand.

Unity

A paragraph is a unit of composition that established oneness because it develops a central and

main idea on its structure. The entire paragraph must be unified on its structure and all the
sentences within the paragraph should focus on the topic sentence.

There are several violations in which the unity of the paragraph is lost. One of these is by the
inclusion of the second central idea which divides the idea of the entire paragraph. Another
violation is the inclusion of one or more sentences containing details that are not really related
to the paragraph’s main ideas. There are also cases in which there is no central idea that was
being established within the paragraph resulting to the disunity of sentences in the paragraph
composition.

Coherence

Coherence is considered as the continuity between as well as within the paragraph. It is very
important to arrange and link the sentences between the paragraphs to be able to make the
readers follow the thought or the idea that want to be implied.

There are several logical orders in which coherence can be established. These logical orders
are the spatial orders, deductive order and inductive order. Chronological order is done in such
ways like narrating experiences, summarizing the steps in the process and explaining events
and movements. Spatial order can be established through the arrangement of visual details in
some consistent sequences such as from left to right, east to west, near or distant and vice
versa. Deductive order is done by establishing a general statement moving to the more
particular details that explain the general statement itself. Inductive order is done by starting the
statement with more particular detail going to and supporting the general statement.

Coherence can also be established through the use of some special devices. These transitional
devices are the transitional keywords;the reference of pronoun, the repetition of keywords and
the use of the parallel structure. The transitional words and phrases serve as indicators of the
different relationships that need to be connected to be able to establish coherence in the
paragraph. The reference of pronoun is a device used to avoid needles repetition in the
paragraph. The repetition of keywords is used in such a way that the keywords that are related
to the central idea in order to establish coherence. The parallel structure is used to call attention
to similar idea in the paragraph.

Emphasis

Emphasis is the principle of the paragraph composition in which the important ideas are made
to stand. In here it is very important that the main points of the writer should be evident inside
the paragraph.
Having an emphasis can be achieved by using some devices such as the use of emphasis by
proportion, emphasis by pause and emphasis by position. In the emphasis by proportion, the
subordinate ideas should be given less substance while ideas which have greater importance
should be given more substance. In the emphasis by pause, the emphasis is established by
making chapter divisions, paragraph breaks as well as mark of punctuation. In the emphasis by
position, the beginning and end of the paragraph are considered as crucial points where
emphasis should be placed, emphasis are usually positioned in these places.