We have seen how you can expand your paragraph by developing the subject of your topic sentence logically. The same goes for the development of your document as a whole. It should flow logically, one topic leading on to the next. Conduct your audience through it without jumping from subject to subject. Each paragraph should have a natu- ral connection with the previous one.
There are two ways of making this connection:
G by taking an idea from the last sentence of one paragraph and using it to start the next
G by using various forms of words to signal the direction your argument or narrative is going to take
Let us look at each of these in more detail. Repeating an idea from one paragraph at the start of the next creates a very smooth flow. There is a clear link. Look at this passage:
At Sunnyside Garden Centre we pride ourselves on being able to satisfy even the most demand- ing of customers. That is why we carry the widest range of tools in the area.
We have something for every job, from powerful motor mowers to simple trowels.
Can you see how the idea of the wide range of tools is repeated in the first sentence of the second paragraph, thus creating a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next?
You can make the repetition even more direct by repeating one of the words in the previ- ous sentence, or by replacing it with a pronoun or a synonym (a word with a similar meaning). So the second paragraph could have begun with:
G We have tools for every job ...
G We have them for every job ...
G We have equipment for every job ...
Very often, however, the new paragraph cannot be introduced by simply repeating an idea from the previous one. You may be about to change direction, or look at the same topic from a different angle. But you still need to make a link with what has gone before.
You can use different expressions to make that link and indicate where you are going.
Which one you use depends on what purpose the new paragraph serves, but here are a few examples.
G Expanding on what has gone before. The following expressions will indicate that you are going to explain your previous paragraph more fully.
– The reason is ...
– You will understand that ...
– This means that ...
G Changing direction. The following will indicate that you are going to look at the subject from a different angle.
– However ...
– Even so ...
– Nevertheless ...
– On the other hand ...
G Moving forward. The following will tell your audience that you are going on to the next stage of the discussion.
– Therefore ...
– Similarly ...
– As a result ...
G Ending your document. The following indicate that this is the last paragraph, and that you are bringing your document to a neat close.
– Finally ...
– To summarise ....
Below is a letter without any linking devices. Can you see how disjointed it looks?
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN CENTRE
Oak Tree Cross, Towerbridge Road, King’s Beech, KB5 6CD Tel. 01678 901234
27 March 20XX Dear Customer
Spring is on its way, and with it the chance to get out and enjoy your garden. Whether you have a large allotment or just a patio, now is the time to start sowing and planting so as to get the most out of it later in the year.
Your garden will certainly need digging, composting and fertilising in preparation for the growing season.
Why not come down to Sunnyside Garden Centre? We have plants and seeds galore, from fruit trees to phlox seeds and from artichokes to amaryllis, together with every conceivable medium to grow them in. And if you aren’t sure of the best varieties for your needs, you only have to ask. Many of our staff are experts in various fields.
We can give you a complete service, whatever your needs. We have sprays to control pests and diseases you didn’t even know existed, a complete range of organic products and the widest selection of tools in the area.
Any new product we stock is tested by our staff before we sell it, so that we can personally recommend everything on our shelves.
We pride ourselves on being able to satisfy even the most demanding of customers. Our motto is ‘Try harder’ and we do. Our staff are friendly and helpful, but never pushy.
We haven’t forgotten the children. We have just opened a new section devoted entirely to swings, slides, climbing frames and other equipment to make your garden fun to be in, whatever your age.
Do pay us a visit. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Yours sincerely Jack Kemp Managing Director
Now look at the same letter, but with linking devices added, and see how much more smoothly it flows.
SUNNYSIDE GARDEN CENTRE
Oak Tree Cross, Towerbridge Road, King’s Beech, KB5 6CD Tel. 01678 901234
27 March 20XX Dear Customer
Spring is on its way, and with it the chance to get out and enjoy your garden. Whether you have a large allotment or just a patio, now is the time to start sowing and planting so as to get the most out of it later in the year.
It is not only sowing and planting you should be thinking of. Your garden will certainly need digging, composting and fertilising in preparation for the growing season.
So why not come down to Sunnyside Garden Centre? We have plants and seeds galore, from fruit trees to phlox seeds and from artichokes to amaryllis, together with every conceivable medium to grow them in. And if you aren’t sure of the best varieties for your needs, you only have to ask. Many of our staff are experts in various fields.
What this means is that we can give you a complete service, whatever your needs. We have sprays to control pests and diseases you didn’t even know existed, a complete range of organic products and the widest selection of tools in the area.
We have equipment for every job, from motor mowers to simple trowels. Any new product we stock is tested by our staff before we sell it, so that we can personally recommend everything on our shelves.
What is more, we pride ourselves on being able to satisfy even the most demanding of customers. Our motto is ‘Try harder’ and we do. Our staff are friendly and helpful, but never pushy.
Finally, we haven’t forgotten the children. We have just opened a new section devoted entirely to swings, slides, climbing frames and other equipment to make your garden fun to be in, whatever your age.
So do pay us a visit. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Yours sincerely
Jack Kemp Managing Director The devices used are:
G ‘It is not only sowing and planting ...’ – repetition, combined with the expression ‘not only’ to indicate that the writer is going to expand on this subject.
G ‘So why not come down ...?’ – to indicate that he is going on to the next stage.
G ‘What this means is ...’ – to indicate that he is going to explain further.
G ‘We have equipment ...’ – repetition of the idea from the last sentence of the previous paragraph.
G ‘Finally, we haven’t forgotten ...’ – to indicate that he is reaching his conclusion.
How Sentences and Paragraphs Affect the Way You Speak
The preparation necessary for a conversation, verbal report or presentation will be different from that for a written document, for three reasons:
G Spoken business English does not have to be quite as formal and grammatical.
G You are unlikely to planexactlywhat you are going to say, down to the last word, so at least some of your sentence composition will be done as you speak.
G It is easier to get away with the occasional ‘non-sentence’ in spoken English.
Nevertheless, even in spoken English, it is necessary to takesomecare over your sentence and paragraph construction if you want to make yourself quite clear to your audience.