1. “The Given-New Principle”
Connecting Old Ideas to New Ideas in Your Writing
Old Ideas
New Ideas
© 2001 by Ruth Luman
References

2. Introduction What is coherence?
Look at the paragraphs below. Which one is easier to read? Click on the answer.
My father’s house had four bedrooms and two sitting
rooms. My father had planted a lot of flowers in the
garden. There was a large oak tree in the front yard.
My father’s house had four bedrooms and two sitting
rooms. In front of the house was a large garden. In the
garden my father had planted a lot of flowers. Most of
these flowers were roses and tulips.

3. The Given-New Principle
One of the ways that you can make sure that your sentences and
paragraphs have coherence is to use the “Given-New Principle.”
With the Given-New Principle, you use something “given” (an old piece
of information) from a previous sentence, and add something “new.”
Using something “given” from the previous sentence is the connecting
idea between the old and new ideas.
given idea
given idea  new idea

4. Example
In the second of the following two sentences, find the “given”
information that is being picked up from the first sentence, as
well as the “new” information that has been added. Click on
“See Answer” when you are finished. (Bates, 1997, p. 123).
“One important value in Brazilian culture is hospitality. Hospitality to a Brazilian means essentially that your ‘door’ is always open to friends, relatives, and guests.”
See Answer

5. Surface Signals Idea Idea
To help connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs,
We can use “surface signals.” Surface signals are words
that help tell the reader the logical connection between
ideas. Look at some examples of surface signals on the
following pages. (Bates, 1997, p. 124).
Surface
Signals
Idea
Idea

6. Surface Signals Repetition of Key Words Example #1:
main ideas
Example #1:
One of the values of Saudi Arabian culture is modesty in women. Women show their modesty by covering themselves with a veil.
surface signals
(key words repeated)

7. Surface Signals Repetition of Key Words Example #2:
main idea
Example #2:
Our next task was to look for those elusive particles. Such particles are difficult to detect without a microscope.
surface signal
(key word repeated)

8. Surface Signals Repetition of Key Words Example #3:
main idea
Example #3:
Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion.
surface signal
(key word repeated)

9. (demonstrative adjective)
Surface Signals
Demonstrative Adjectives
(this, that, these, those)
Example #1:
Women show their modesty by covering themselves with a veil. This covers the woman’s head and often much of her face.
surface signal
(demonstrative adjective)
main idea

10. (demonstrative adjective)
Surface Signals
Demonstrative Adjectives
(this, that, these, those)
main idea
Example #2:
An important custom in Ethiopian culture is the coffee ceremony. This ceremony is often practiced every Sunday.
surface signal
(demonstrative adjective)

11. (demonstrative adjective)
Surface Signals
Demonstrative Adjectives
(this, that, these, those)
main ideas
Example #3:
Cambodian parents try to raise their children to have respect for elders, patience in trying situations, and gentleness toward others. These values are highly prized in Cambodian culture.
surface signal
(demonstrative adjective)

12. Surface Signals Pronouns (he, she, it, they, you) Example #1:
main idea
This veil covers the woman’s head and often much of her face. She may also choose to wear a mask that shows only her eyes.
surface signal
(pronoun)

13. Surface Signals Pronouns (he, she, it, they, you) Example #2:
main idea
Many Japanese believe in the importance of teamwork. They teach their children to think of the group first.
surface signal
(pronoun)

14. Surface Signals Pronouns (he, she, it, they, you) Example #3:
main idea
When a father is very sick, he knows that his family will take care of him.
surface signal
(pronoun)

15. Practice Exercise
Now, you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click on
the button below to go back to Unit D. Print and complete the
worksheet for Practice Exercise One.

16. Revision Checklist
Look at your essay. Circle all the main ideas in your sentences. Check to make sure that all your sentences and paragraphs logically follow each other. If you notice some problems:
Use the “Given-New Principle.”
Use surface signals to link your ideas.
After you have checked your essay for coherence problems, read your essay draft aloud to your tutor. As you read it, ask your tutor to listen to make sure there are no breaks in coherence.

17. Answer
old ideas
“One important value in Brazilian culture is hospitality. Hospitality to a Brazilian means essentially that your ‘door’ is always open to friends, relatives, and guests.”
new ideas
Back
Next

18. I’m Sorry ? ? idea different idea different idea house garden tree
This paragraph is not very easy to read. It doesn’t have
coherence. Coherence means that one idea follows from a
previous idea and connects smoothly to the next idea.
My father’s house had four bedrooms and two sitting rooms. My
father had planted a lot of flowers in the garden. There was a
large oak tree in the front yard.
idea No
connecting
ideas. ?
different idea No
connecting
ideas. ?
different idea
house
garden
tree
Click Back

19. Correct! idea idea idea idea house garden flowers
This paragraph shows coherence because the ideas follow
logically from one sentence to another.
My father’s house had four bedrooms and two sitting rooms. In front of the house was a large garden. In the garden my father had planted a lot of flowers. Most of these flowers were roses and tulips.
idea
Connecting
Idea
House
idea
Connecting
Idea
Garden
idea
Connecting
Idea
Flowers
idea
house
garden
flowers
roses and tulips
Back
Next

20. References
Bates, L. (1997). Transitions: An interactive reading, writing, and grammar text. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Rutherford, W.E. (1987). Second Language Grammar: Learning and teaching. London: Longman.
Presentation by Ruth Luman: Modesto Junior College.
This project incorporates portions of copyrighted works. These items are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the educational fair use guidelines. They are restricted from further use.

21. Coherence: Definition
Logical connections between ideas in writing.