How do I clarify the connections between ideas in my writing?

Answer 1

Hello, which part of your essay are you referring to? (Introduction, Body Paragraphs, Conclusion)? I'm assuming you are talking about body paragraphs since that is the part of your essay where your reasons are explained. I'm also assuming you are discussing the connection between your ideas (reasons) and your thesis. To clarify the connections between your ideas in your body paragraphs, you must explain your evidence. This explanation lies in the elaboration and significance portions of your body paragraphs. In your elaboration, you clarify how and why the quote (evidence) you chose supports your topic sentence. In your significance (last sentence(s) of your body paragraph), you must clarify why the evidence is the highlight of your thesis and why it supports your claim made in your thesis. For example, when a student quotes a scientific study that shows that the sky is blue due to the scattering of blue light, the student cannot write their elaboration like this: "The sky is blue because the sky is blue." Instead, the student should write, "This scientific study shows that the sky is blue because gas molecules in Earth's atmosphere scatter blue light due to its shorter wavelength." If the student is claiming that Rayleigh scattering plays a role in making the sky look blue, then the significance should be written like this: "Rayleigh scattering plays a role in making the sky look blue because when the sun emits its white light, which is made up of a variety of colors, the blue light is scattered by air molecules."

Answer 2

In addition to the suggestions above, consider adding "COUNTERCLAIMS." These help clarify meaning by providing opposing ideas, examples, etc.

Answer 3

Starting a new paragraph with a transition sentence is a great way to show how ideas connect. Using a transitional phrase, such as "in addition", "also", and "by contrast" (just to name a few- there are much more!) is an easy way to start a new paragraph while making it feel like it's part of an ongoing essay. Instead of jumping right into the next topic, refer to an idea in the previous one and explicitly state how they're linked. For example, if I had written a paragraph about how apples are better than oranges and wanted to discuss why they were better than bananas, too, I could say, "Not only are apples more nutritious than oranges, they also have health benefits that rival those of a banana."