Paragraph Flow

This has to do not only with writing in a clear, informative way, but also with the whole idea of integration and holism in writing.

Prose writing is usually much easier to read if the mind is eased along from one topic to the next without having to jump suddenly. (There are important exceptions to this, but they generally have to do with stream-of-consciousness writing or creative writing where the discontinuity has an artistic or expressive purpose.) Generally, this involves relating one topic to the next with a sort of "hinge" sentence at the end of the first topic or the beginning of the second. Here is an example from the potted history of Friends World in the Student Handbook, in which the relation between the two topics is shown as a cause-and-effect relation:

[paragraph about accomplishments of Friends World in the 1980's]
....In 1984 Middle States granted FWC "Candidate for Accreditation" 
status.

	Lack of Full Accreditation nevertheless kept student 
enrollment to less than 200, leading to a downward spiral of financial 
and administrative problems....
[paragraph about financial problems of Friends World in the 1980's]

Not only do verbal "bridges" like this help the reader follow and enjoy a piece of writing, they reinforce the idea of holism and integration that is important to every aspect of Friends World and the Portfolio. By keeping topics and paragraphs connected with each other, we are keeping ideas connected with each other (which is the way they are in the real world).

Workshop Discussion Sparks

Connection of topics in a paragraph, between paragraphs, between journal segments.

Inspired and Creative

Remember that these "bridge" or "hinge" lines are not the only tool for making a well-integrated, flowing Portfolio-- try other kinds of thematic integration, as where a set of ideas pops up again and again in one form or another.

Rigorous Training

Practice with different types of links between topics:
- causational
- parallel examples (i.e.-- starting a paragraph with "Another type of...")
- opposites
- time-related or personal connections
- other types of similarities.

AAAAAGGGHHHH!

Try looking at your outline to figure out why you put these two ideas in the same large category.
Or try making a bubble network to find relationships between two topics.
Or maybe a connecting sentence isn't enough for what you need; try a small connecting paragraph.
Or allow yourself to let it go if you have to; not all connections are easily or immediately expressible.

See Also

Contribute to the Portfolio Resource Guide!!!

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