How to Make Your Writing Flow Better
TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of coherence in writing, particularly in academic settings in the United States. It highlights that the onus is on the writer to make their ideas easily followable for the reader. The presenter introduces the 'known-new' principle, which involves discussing known information before introducing new points. The script provides an example of a paragraph on the advantages of running, illustrating how to enhance coherence by linking known and new information with pronouns, demonstrative adjectives or pronouns, the word 'such,' and transition words. By employing these techniques, the writer can ensure a smooth flow of ideas, making the text more accessible and engaging for the reader.
Takeaways
- 📝 Writing should be coherent and easy to follow for readers, especially in academic settings in the United States.
- 🌐 Every language has its own discourse patterns, and American English academic writing expects the writer to guide the reader through their ideas.
- 👉 The 'known-new' principle is crucial for adding flow to writing, where known information is presented before introducing new information.
- 🔄 It's important to not just jump from one new piece of information to another without connecting them to what has already been discussed.
- 📚 The title of a paper provides known information and sets the context for what the reader is about to learn.
- 🔵 Use color-coding to differentiate between known (yellow) and new (blue) information to visualize coherence issues in a text.
- 🛠️ Employ pronouns and demonstrative words like 'this,' 'that,' 'these,' and 'such' to create a bridge between known and new information.
- 🔄 Repeating known information with words like 'this' and 'that' helps reinforce the reader's understanding before delving into new details.
- ➡️ Use transition words and phrases like 'for example,' 'in addition,' and 'in conclusion' to guide the reader through the flow of ideas.
- 🌿 Providing examples and personal experiences can connect new information to known information, enhancing the reader's engagement and understanding.
- 📈 Coherence in writing helps to reduce stress for the reader, making it easier to follow complex ideas and arguments.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the transcript?
-The transcript focuses on how to add flow and coherence to writing, particularly in an academic setting in the United States, and provides tips on improving writing for non-native English speakers.
What is the 'known-new' principle mentioned in the transcript?
-The 'known-new' principle is a writing technique where the writer discusses known information before introducing new information, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the flow of ideas.
Why is it important to make writing easy for the reader to follow in an academic setting?
-In an academic setting, the expectation is that the writer should make it easy for the reader to follow their ideas. This is because the responsibility lies with the writer to convey their thoughts clearly, not the reader to decipher them.
How does the transcript suggest improving coherence in writing?
-The transcript suggests using pronouns, demonstrative adjectives or pronouns, the word 'such', and transition words to connect ideas and maintain coherence in writing.
What is the significance of repeating known information in writing?
-Repeating known information helps to remind the reader of what has already been discussed before introducing new concepts. This aids in maintaining coherence and making the writing smoother and easier to follow.
How can using pronouns help in writing?
-Using pronouns in writing can act as a glue that connects new ideas to old ones, reminding the reader of previously mentioned information and thus improving the flow of the text.
What is the role of transition words in enhancing the flow of writing?
-Transition words help to guide the reader from one idea to the next, creating a smooth transition between concepts and enhancing the overall flow and coherence of the writing.
What does the transcript suggest when introducing new information?
-The transcript suggests not to jump directly from one new piece of information to another without connecting them. Instead, it recommends using elements of coherence to link these ideas and help the reader follow the writer's thoughts.
Why is it recommended to avoid 'new new new new' in writing?
-Avoiding a series of new information without connection makes it difficult for the reader to follow the writer's ideas and can result in a lack of coherence in the writing.
How can the use of demonstrative adjectives or pronouns like 'this', 'that', and 'those' improve writing?
-Demonstrative adjectives or pronouns help to reference previously mentioned information, providing a clear link between known and new information and improving the reader's understanding and the text's coherence.
What is the purpose of the example given in the transcript?
-The example in the transcript is used to illustrate how a paragraph lacking coherence can be improved by applying the 'known-new' principle and using coherence-enhancing techniques such as pronouns, demonstrative words, and transition words.
What is the final advice given in the transcript for improving the coherence of academic writing?
-The final advice is to use the discussed techniques—pronouns, demonstrative adjectives or pronouns, the word 'such', and transition words—in the next paper to improve its coherence and make it easier for readers to follow.
Outlines
📚 Enhancing Writing Coherence in Academic English
The speaker introduces the concept of improving the flow and coherence of writing, particularly in an academic context within the United States. They emphasize the importance of making writing accessible to readers by adhering to the known-new principle, which involves presenting known information before introducing new ideas. The speaker uses the example of a paper titled 'The Advantages of Running' to illustrate how coherence can be improved by linking known and new information effectively. They highlight the use of color-coding to distinguish between known (yellow) and new (blue) information, and areas (green) that need coherence improvement. The goal is to make the reader's journey through the text smooth, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the writing.
🔗 Techniques for Cohesive Writing
This paragraph delves into specific techniques for creating a coherent writing structure. The speaker suggests using pronouns and demonstrative pronouns like 'it', 'they', 'them', 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' to connect new information with what the reader already knows. They also recommend using words like 'such' for an academic tone and transition words like 'in addition', 'also', 'for example', and 'for instance' to enhance the flow of ideas. The paragraph includes a revised version of the 'Advantages of Running' text, demonstrating how these techniques can be applied to create a more coherent and fluid piece of writing.
🏃♂️ The Benefits of Running and Coherent Conclusion
The speaker concludes the discussion by summarizing the benefits of running and how they can be presented coherently in writing. They reiterate the advantages of running, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and attention to detail, and allowing for a connection with nature. The paragraph demonstrates the use of repetition and transition words to reinforce known information before introducing new insights. The speaker's personal testimony about not letting anything interfere with their weekly runs serves as a memorable conclusion, tying back to the known benefits of running and providing a new personal perspective.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Flow
💡Coherence
💡Academic Setting
💡Discourse Pattern
💡Known-New Principle
💡Pronouns
💡Demonstrative Adjectives/Pronouns
💡Transition Words
💡Cohesive Elements
💡Vitamin D
💡Forest Bathing
Highlights
The importance of adding flow and coherence to writing, especially in academic settings in the United States
The expectation in American English academic writing is for the writer to make it easy for the reader to follow their ideas
The known-new principle: discussing known information before introducing new information to improve coherence
Using pronouns to connect new ideas to old ideas and improve flow
Repeating known information using words like 'this', 'that', 'these', 'those' to maintain coherence
Using words like 'such' to add academic tone and improve coherence
Using transition words like 'also', 'in addition' to connect ideas and improve flow
Providing an example of a paragraph that lacks coherence and how to improve it using the known-new principle
Highlighting the importance of connecting ideas and making it easy for the reader to follow the writer's argument
Using the title to provide known information and set the context for the writing
Using examples to support and illustrate the main points and connect them to known information
Using the conclusion to remind the reader of the key points and reinforce the coherence of the writing
The benefits of running, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and attention to detail, and connecting with nature
The importance of coherence and flow in making writing engaging and easy to follow for readers
Practical tips for improving coherence in academic writing, such as using pronouns, repetition, and transition words
The value of providing clear examples and explanations to illustrate how to apply these writing strategies effectively
The goal of making writing smooth and easy for readers to follow, rather than leaving them confused about the writer's ideas
The emphasis on the writer's responsibility to ensure their writing is coherent and flows well for the reader
Transcripts
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