段落結構

第三課：Unity & Coherence

Unity 統一性

     段落中每一句均須與此段的主題相關，並提供資料來支援主題，句子間必須先後有序，合乎邏輯，否則便會欠缺統一性。當你寫下一段落時，必須檢查每句的內容是否依據主旨，如果不是的話，便要修改或移到另一段。

例如：

     Learning a foreign language has changed. Not long ago, students would sit with pen in hand, writing the basic forms of a language, learning structures they would never be able to speak. In that same classroom today, pens and notebooks have been put away. The spoken sounds of foreign tongue fill the room. Today the last skill learned --- writing a foreign language --- comes as a natural and possible part of the total language-learning process. Yet, just a few years ago, the last skill learned was the first skill mastered today --- speaking a foreign tongue. To visit some foreign countries, travelers have to apply for visas. 

Topic sentence: Learning a foreign language has changed.

*不統一句子：To visit some foreign countries, travelers have to apply for visas. 

      由以上段落可見每句均圍繞主旨而發展，主題句：「學習外國語言已經改變了」，但當中有一句：「To visit some foreign countries, travelers have to apply for visas.」則是說申請護照的，明顯地不合此段主題 learning a foreign language，所以必須移走此句，才使本段意思歸一。

Coherence 連貫性

      段落除了須要統一性及文字流暢外，還要句與句，字與字之間有連貫性，要達到此點，便須作出適當排序，如果一段落內句子不統一，則即使有連貫性也沒用，反之，若沒有連繫的句子亂成一團，就算全部與主旨有關，也是令讀者看不懂，所以，要做好構段，unity 及coherence二者缺一不可。

      要令一段落有連貫性，可使用 transitional words，現以第二課的練習題說明之：

      Times Squares is unquestionably the center of entertainment in New York City. There are nearly a hundred Broadway theaters and Off-Broadway stages. People can choose many kinds of musicals from international well-known classical to lively and unusual productions. For example, I have seen several Broadway shows like “Cats” and “Miss Saigon.” I enjoyed the emotional songs and experienced their joys and sadness. Besides Broadway theaters, there are a lot of movie theaters in which most recent Hollywood first-run films are shown. People can see different popular films and spend a whole day in these theaters. Moreover, during lunchtime, there are some street performances such as Jazz and Hard Rock. People crowd the street and listen to ethnic and experimental music with special sound effects. As a result, no one feels bored in Times Squares as it brings her or him a rich variety of entertainment like Broadway musicals, movies and street shows.

      從以上段落中，可以找到一些 transitional words，即「For example, Besides, Moreover, As a result,」用以增加句子之間的連貫性，令段落安排更有次序，而透過這些轉折詞及字，令讀者亦易於明白和找到支持主旨的理據 Supporting Details。

Exercise:

     Choose one of the following topic sentences, and write a plan for a paragraph. First, copy the topic sentence, and then list three to four points to support it. Finally, make your conclusion.

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