DOCUMENT ANALYSIS ACTIVITY

Identifying the Elements of a Coherent Paragraph

The following paragraph is taken from a report published by a water company. In this paragraph, the writer is describing how he decided on a method for increasing the company's business within his particular branch. (The sentences are numbered.)

The questions on the left ask you to think about the qualities of coherent paragraphs.
(1) We found that the best way to improve the Montana branch would be to add a storage facility to our existing supply sources. (2) Currently, we can handle the average demand on a maximum day; the storage facility will enable us to meet peaking requirements and fire-protection needs. (3) In conducting our investigation, we considered developing new supply sources with sufficient capacity to meet current and future needs. (4) This alternative was rejected, however, when our consultants (Smith and Jones) did groundwater studies that revealed that insufficient groundwater is available and that the new wells would have to be located too far apart if they were not to interfere with each other.

1. In what ways does the topic sentence function as it
should?
2. Identify the transitional words or phrases. How are they used effectively?
3. Identify the repeated key words. How effective does the writer use keywords?
4. Identify the demonstrative pronouns followed by nouns. How effectively does the writer use them?