Sunday, February 9, 2025

Coherence and Emphasis

Coherence and emphasis are two of the main tools to write effectively. There are many devices that are used to bring coherence and emphasis in writing. These devices are also called tools to paragraph writing. They are used to create a smooth flow of ideas and highlight important points within a text. They also help readers to follow the logic and understand the key messages easily. Here are a few key categories of coherence and emphasis devices:

Coherence Devices:

1.     Transitional Words and Phrases:

These words or phrases explicitly connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs, indicating relationships like addition, contrast , cause and effect, time sequence.

Examples: ‘Moreover’, ‘in addition’, ‘clarify’, ‘as a result’, ‘despite this’, etc.

2.     Pronouns and Reference Words:

Using pronouns like ‘he’, ‘them’, ‘this’, ‘that’, these, etc to refer-back to previously mentioned nouns helps maintain continuity and avoids repetition.

Example: I saw a monkey. He was furious.

3.     Related Words:

Using synonyms, related words, and repeated key terms throughout a text to create a the topic.

Example: I like colourful paper hence I bough bright red blue and dark green covers.

4.     Parallelism:

Structuring sentences with similar grammatical patterns to create rhythm and emphasis.

Example: This student gets up early, does yoga and visits temple everyday.

5.     Correct sequencing:

Presenting ideas in a logical sequence, such as chronological order, cause-and-effect, or problem-solution, to facilitate understanding.

Emphasis Devices:

1.     Strong Verbs and Specific Nouns:

Choosing verbs and concrete nouns helps convey ideas clearly and forcefully.

Example: My teacher proudly announced the victory. (strong verb). My teacher told about the victory.

2.     Short Sentences:

Short sentences draw attention to important points. Short sentences can be a strong phase pause or punchline effect.

3.     Active Voice:

Constructing sentences with the subject performing the action emphasizes clarity.

Example: The Principal has adopted a new policy.

4.     Rhetorical Questions:

Rhetorical questions does not require a direct answer and can engage the reader. Such questions highlight a crucial point.

5.     Climax:

A strong climax with important information brings emphasis in a paragraph. Explore various devices of coherence and emphasis in writing.


COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE WRITING

Components of Effective Writing

 

As far as organization is concerned, a meaningful paragraph has of three major components: a topic sentence which introduces the main idea, supporting sentences that provide details and explain the topic sentence, and a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point and ends the paragraph.

1.        Topic Sentence:

The sentence clearly stating the theme of a text is a topic sentence. A paragraph is developed around the topic sentence. It helps a writer to bring unity, coherence, and development.

  • · States the central idea of the paragraph clearly and concisely.
  • · Usually appears at the beginning of the paragraph.
  • · Acts as a base for the rest of the paragraph's content.

2.       Supporting Sentences:

  • · Provide specific examples, facts, or explanations to support the topic sentence.
  • · Logically organized and flow smoothly from one to the next.
  • · Include quotes, statistics, anecdotes, or expert opinions to strengthen the argument.

3.       Concluding Sentence:

  • · Restates the main idea of the paragraph in a different way.
  • · May summarize the key points or offer a final thought related to the topic.
  • · Provides a sense of completion and transitions smoothly to the next paragraph.

In terms of effectiveness, a paragraph has unity and coherence as its components-

4.       Unity:

Unity means oneness of thought. One idea is dealt with throughout the paragraph. All the sentences point towards the same idea. When the writer changes to a new idea, the writer should begin a new paragraph. Unity can be achieved by relevant illustrations and examples. This tool helps a writer to stick to a single idea in a paragraph.

5.       Coherence:

Coherence refers to the smooth flow of ideas in a paragraph so that readers can understand the paragraph. This tool helps a writer to develop an effective paragraph.

How to Achieve Coherence

  • · By repeating a Key Term/Phrase related to the central idea.
  • · By using Synonyms
  • · Pronouns/relative pronouns
  • · Transitional Words- (moreover, besides this, etc.)

Based on the fundamentals, a paragraph has appropriate words and correct sentence structure as its components.

6.       Appropriate Words:

A good and impressive paragraph has appropriate words according to the context and receiver’s mindset.

  • · Creates good impression
  • · Helps to understand clearly
  • · Improves credibility

7.       Correct sentence structure:

Correct sentence structures are the back bone of any paragraph. There are various sentence structures like affirmative negative, interrogative, imperative and exclamatory. Sentences must be written as per the situation and emotions of the topic.

  • · Enhances effectiveness
  • · Increases coherence and clarity
  • · Develops understanding of the message


  

HOMOPHONES-HOMOGRAPHS-HOMONYMS

HOMOPHONES-HOMOGRAPHS-HOMONYMS


HOMOPHONES

Homophones are two or more words pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and spelling. Such as new and new or meat and meet, etc.

 1

accept - take in

except - other than

2

ad - advertisement

add - join, combine

3

advice - guidance

advise - recommend

4

aid - assist, assistance

aide - one who gives assistance

5  

ail - to suffer poor health

ale - a beverage

6          

air - atmosphere

ere – before

heir - one who inherits property

7

aisle - a passage

I'll - contraction of I will

isle - island

8

allusion - an indirect reference

illusion - false appearance

9

altar - table in a church

alter - to change

10

ate - past tense of eat

eight - the number 8

11

bail - to clear water

bail - release of a prisoner

bale - a large bundle

12

band - a ring, something that binds

band - a group

banned - prohibited

13

bare - uncovered

bear - large animal

bear - support, yield

14

bases - starting points

bases - four stations on a baseball field

basis - a basic principle

15

beat - to strike, overcome

beat – exhausted

beet - a plant with red roots

16

blew - past tense of blow

blue - the color

17

bread - baked food item

bred - produced

18

buy - purchase

by - near, through

bye - goodbye

19

capital - punishable by death

capital - chief city

capitol - building where legislature meets

20

ceiling - top of a room

sealing - setting, fastening

21

cell - compartment

sell - vend

22

cent - penny coin

scent - an odor

sent - past tense of send

23

cereal - breakfast food

serial - sequential

24

chews - gnaws with teeth

choose - to select

25

Chile- country in South America

chili - bean stew

chilly - frosty

26

chord - musical tone

cord - rope

27

cite - quote

site – location

sight - view

28

close - opposite of open

clothes - clothing

29

coarse - rough

course - path, procedure

30

complement – enhance; go together

compliment - praise

31

conduct - behavior

conduct - to lead

32

council - committee

counsel - guidance

33

creak - squeak

creek - stream of water

34

crews - gangs

cruise - ride on a boat

35

days - plural of day

daze - stun

36

dear - darling

deer- woodland animal

37

desert - to abandon

desert - dry land

dessert - after-dinner treat

38

dew - morning mist

do – operate

due - payable

39

die - cease to exist

dye - color

40

discreet - tactful

discrete - distinct

41

doe - female deer

dough - uncooked bread

42

dual - double

duel - battle

43

elicit - draw out

illicit - illegal

44

eminent - distinguished

imminent - soon

45

ewe - female sheep

you - second-person personal pronoun

46

eye - sight organ

I - first-person personal pronoun

47

facts - true things

fax - a document transmitted via telephone

48

fair - equal

fare - price

49

fairy - elflike creature with wings

ferry - boat

50

faze - impact

phase - stage

51

feat - achievement

feet - plural of foot

52

find - to discover

fined - charged a penalty

53

fir - type of tree

fur - animal hair

54

flea - small biting insect

flee - run

55

flew - did fly

flu - illness

56

flour - powdery, ground up grain

flower - blooming plant

57

for - on behalf of

fore – front

four - three plus one

58

forth - onward

fourth - number four

59

foreword - introduction to a book

forward - advancing

60

gene - a chromosome

jean - fabric; pants

61

gorilla - big ape

guerrilla - warrior

62

grease - fat

Greece - country in Europe

63

groan - moan

grown - form of grow

64

hair - head covering

hare - rabbit-like animal

65

hall - passageway

haul - tow

66

halve - cut in two parts

have - possess

67

hay - animal food

hey - interjection to get attention

68

heal - mend

heel - back of foot

69

hear - to listen

here - at this place

70

hi - hello

high - up far

71

hoarse - croaky

horse - riding animal

72

hole - opening

whole - entire

73

holey - full of holes

holy – divine

wholly - entirely

74

hoarse - rough voice

horse - animal

75

hour - sixty minutes

our - belonging to us

76

knead - massage

need - desire

77

knew - did know

new - not old

78

knight - feudal horseman

night - evening

79

knot - tied rope

not - negative

80

know - have knowledge

no - opposite of yes

81

lead - metal

led - was the leader

82

leased - past tense of lease

least - the minimum

83

lessen - make smaller

lesson - class

84

loan - lend

lone - solitary

85

made - did make

maid - servant

86

mail - postage

male - opposite of female

87

material - matter

materiel - supplies for an organization, particularly the military

88

marry - to wed

merry - very happy

89

meat - animal protein

meet - encounter

90

mince - to chop finely

mints - type of sweet

91

morning - a.m.

mourning - remember the dead

92

none - not any

nun - woman who takes special vows

93

oar - boat paddle

or – otherwise

ore - mineral

94

oh - expression of surprise or awe

owe - be obligated

95

one - single

won - did win

96

overdo - do too much

overdue - past due date

97

pail - bucket

pale - not bright

98

pain - hurt

pane - window glass

99

peace - calm

piece - segment

100

peak – highest point

peek - glance

101

patience - being willing to wait

patients - person treated in a hospital or by a doctor

102

pear - a type of fruit

pair - two (usually matching)

103

plain - ordinary

plane - flight machine plane; flat surface

104

pole - post

poll - survey

105

poor - not rich

pour - make flow

106

pray - implore God

prey - quarry

107

principal - most important

principle - belief

108

rain – water from sky

rein - bridle

109

rap - tap

wrap - drape around

110

read - past tense of the verb to read

red - color

111

real - factual

reel - roll

112

right - correct; not left

write - scribble

113

ring - encircle

wring - squeeze

114

road - street

rode - past tense of ride

115

role - function

roll - rotate

116

rose - flower

rows - lines

117

sail - move by wind power

sale - bargain price

118

scene - landscape

seen - viewed

119

sea - ocean segment

see - observe with eyes

120

seam - joining edge

seem - appear

121

sew - connect with thread

so - as a result

sow - plant

122

soar - ascend

sore - hurt place

123

sole - single

soul - essence

124

son - male child

sun - the star that lights the solar system

125

some - a few

sum - amount

126

stair - step

stare - to look at steadily

127

steal - swipe

steel - alloy

128

suite - large room in a hotel

sweet - the opposite of sour

129

tail - animal’s appendage

tale - story

130

their - belonging to them

there - at that place

they’re - they are

131

threw - past tense of throw

through - passing from one place to another

132

to - toward

too – also

two - the number 2

133

toe - foot appendage

tow - pull along

134

vary - differ

very - wail - howl

35

wail - howl

whale - huge sea mammal

136

waist - area below ribs

waste - squander

137

wait – kill time

weight - measurable load

138

war - battle

wore - did wear

139

warn - caution

worn - used

140

way - path

weigh - measure mass

141

we - us

wee - tiny

142

weak - not strong

week - seven days

143

wear - to don attire

where - question word

144

weather - climate

whether - if

145

which - that

witch - sorcerer

146

wood – material

 coming from trees

would - conditional auxiliary

147

your - belonging to you

you’re - you are


Some more examples with sentences-

1.        Fort – Fought

o   Just the three of you going to be holding the fort tonight.

o   He fought many battles.

2.       Foul – Fowl

o   There was a foul smell all around.

o   Fowl was also mentioned in the menu card.

3.       Groan – Grown

o   His jokes make all groan rather than laugh.

o   He had been a grown man now.

4.       Holy – Wholly

o   We pray to our holy books and rivers too.

o   The disaster was wholly unavoidable.

5.       Hour – Our

o   The interview lasted half an hour.

o   We showed them some of our photographs.

6.      I – Eye

o   I moved to Delhi for my Ph.D.

o   Ow! I’ve got something in my eye!

7.       Know – No

o   The teacher wants to know the reason for getting fewer marks.

o   You have no chic, now.

8.      Links – Lynx

o   We have no links with robbers.

o   They may watch like lynx.

9.      Mail – Male

o   The principal received hundreds of mail after receiving an award.

o   Many women earn less than their male colleagues.

10.    Meet – Meat

o   She wanted to meet you only once.

o   I gave up eating meat a few months ago.

11.     Peace – Piece

o   I wish for peace in my life.

o   I need a piece of chalk to write on the board.

12.     Right – Write

o   Keep on the right side of the road.

o   She had to write the minutes of the meeting.

13.    Scene – Seen

o   The police soon arrived at the scene of the crime.

o   Stars could not be seen in daylight due to the brightness of the sun.

14.    Than – Then

o   Teddy looks cuter than any other toy.

o   I wish I had known then what I know now.

15.    Weak – Week

o   She is still weak after her illness.

o   He comes to see us once a week.


HOMOGRAPHS

Homographs are words that have the same spelling but differ in origin, meaning, and sometimes pronunciation.

1.        Bass (fish) /bæs/

bass (drum)/beɪs/

2.       Bow (weapon) / bo/

bow (down)/ b-ow/

3.       Close (near)  /ˈkloʊs/

close (to shut)/ˈkloʊzd/

4.       Content (satisfied) con-TENT

content (various media) CON-tent.

5.       Lead (front)

lead (mineral)

6.      Minute (small) /maɪˈnuːt/

minute (measurement of time) /ˈmɪn.ɪt/

7.       Object (thing) /ɒbdʒɪkt/

object (argue) /əbdʒekt/

8.      Present (gift)/ˈprɛzənt/

present (to bring forth) prɪˈzents/

9.      Produce (create)

produce (fruits and veggies)

10.    Subject (thing)

subject (to something)

11.     Tear (rip) /teər/

tear (crying) /tɪər/

12.     Wind (blows) /wɪnd/

wind (to turn) /waɪnd/

13.    Wound (injury)

wound (past tense of wind)

 

HOMONYMS

Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and pronunciation.

1.        Address – Address

I can give you the address of my Principal.

I cannot address such a big audience.

2.       Band – Band

The band was playing classical songs.

She always ties her hair back in a band.

3.       Bat – Bat

The bats usually hang inverted from the roof.

I gifted a new costly cricket bat to my young brother.

4.       Match – Match

Do not strike a match at the petrol pump..

Her fingerprints match those found at the scene of the crime.

5.       Mean – Mean

What does this sentence mean?

He needed to find a mean between frankness and rudeness.

6.      Right – Right

You must turn right to reach the University.

I’m sure I’m right.

Freedom of speech is my right.

7.       Ring – Ring

I will wear my new ring in my right hand.

The children sat on the floor in a ring.

8.      Rock – Rock

My sister became a part of a rock band while in college.

The path was blocked by a 500 feet of solid rock.

9.      Rose – Rose

She has a rose garden.

Sales rose by 20% over the Christmas period.

10.    Spring – Spring

I’m sorry to spring it on you, but I’ve been offered another job.

He was born in the spring of 1944.

11.     Stalk – Stalk

He ate the apple, stalk and all.

Snatching up my bag, I stalk out of the hotel room.

12.     Well – Well

The party was very well organized.

My pet cat fell down into a well.

13.    Clip – Clip

I need few clips from your documentary.

The clothes are held on with a metal clip.

14.    Date – Date

The date on the letter should be mentioned clearly.

I don’t like to date with him.

15.    Drop – Drop

The apples are beginning to drop from the trees.

A single drop of water is precious.

16.    Fly – Fly

A fly was buzzing against the window.

Let’s fly a kite.

17.    Letter – Letter

I finished the letter to PM.

One letter is wrong in the word written on the paper.

18.    Palm – Palm

He held the bird gently in the palm of his hand.

The coconut palm is a native of Malaysia.

19.    Park – Park

We went for a walk in the park.

Our colony has a big ground to park the cars.

20.   Point – Point

My Point is very clear in this matter..

Everything seemed to point in one direction.

21.     Ruler – Ruler

I have a 12-inch ruler.

Raja Vikramaditya was a great ruler.

22.    Saw – Saw

I demanded a saw to cut the log.

Last night, I saw a lovely girl.

23.    Ship – Ship

There are two restaurants on board ship.

The company refused to ship the consignment.

24.   Sink – Sink

The ships sink to the bottom of the sea.

I felt chained to the kitchen sink.

25.   Tie – Tie

She tied her hair into a ponytail.

I wear a shirt and tie at work.

26.   Trip – Trip

We went on a trip to the mountains.

Someone will trip over that cable.

27.    Wave – Wave

Huge waves were breaking on the shore.

I wave back to my little daughter with a smile.

28.   Cool – Cool

She swam out into the cool water.

She is really a cool bosss.

29.   Duck – Duck

Every afternoon they went to the park to feed the duck.

He had to duck as he came through the door.

30.   Fall – Fall

The leaves were starting to fall during winter.

The area is beautiful in the fall.

31.    File – File

Every file  must have a subject on it.

We began to file out into the car park.

32.    Foot – Foot

My foot hurts.

Finally after three hours, we reached to the foot of the hill.

33.   Left – Left

Look left and right before you cross the road.

The plane left for Mumbai last night.

34.   Nail – Nail

The key was hanging on a nail.

I’ve long nail.

35.   Watch – Watch

I cannot watch TV every night.

I glanced at my watch.

36.   Can – Can

I can speak Hindi fluently.

I drank a can of Country derink.