Coherence Practice

ENG 71 ESL Writing Coherence Practice

If someone says, “This paragraph has great coherence,” it means that the paragraph has a clear logical order. There are several ways a writer can organize a paragraph logically. We have already organized two paragraphs in chronological order. Other ways of organization you might try are spatial (inside out/outside in), order of importance (the least important details to the most important details and vice versa), and random order in which you talk about several things that are equally important, so you assign them an order that you choose.

Read the following paragraph carefully. After reading the paragraph, answer the following questions, which are multiple choice. To answer, circle either “A,” “B,” or “C.” After you have finished, check your answers with a partner, and discuss any answers for which you and your partner have differences.

(1) An effective public speaker uses nonverbal signals from the audience to adjust his or her presentation. (2) For example, an effective public speaker adds more examples or explanations when members of the audience look befuddled or confused. (3) An effective speaker tries to liven up his or her presentation or ask the audience questions when members of the audience start showing signs of boredom or lack of interest. (4) Fidgeting, doodling, reading instead of listening, shuffling papers, or leaving the room are obvious signs that the audience has lost interest. (5) The speaker can acknowledge opposing points of view when he or she sees frowns, scowls, head shaking, or gestures from the audience that show signs of disagreement or disapproval. (6) Glazed looks, lack of eye contact with the speaker, or lack of response to questions or humorous anecdotes are other signs of boredom. (7) Any public speaker will be more effective and dynamic if he or she watches for listeners' nonverbal signals and adjusts the speech accordingly.

1. Which sentence breaks the coherence of this paragraph?

A. Sentence 2 B. Sentence 4 C. Sentence 6

2. The details are arranged in

A. the random order of confused, bored, and disagreement or disapproval. B. chronological order. C. spatial order.

3. The writer of this paragraph could strengthen the coherence of the paragraph by

A. giving more details. B. adding more kinds of nonverbal responses audiences give to speakers. C. using more transition words and repeating the words nonverbal signals.

4. The topic sentence is "An effective public speaker uses nonverbal signals from the audience to adjust his or her presentation." The subject of this sentence is

A. speaker. B. nonverbal signals. C. presentation.