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English: skills for learning
English: skills for learning

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2.2 Linking sentences

Familiar information can be used to introduce new information within paragraphs too. For example, the information introduced at the end of the first sentence below (carers’ behaviour) is treated as familiar information at the beginning of the second sentence, which focuses on a specific type of carers’ behaviour: carers’ sensitivity to their clients.

It would seem that those who receive care at home should be in a stronger position to maintain their autonomy, but even here carers must be aware that their behaviour can change this situation considerably. Carers’ sensitivity to their clients’ private space and needs can therefore make an enormous difference.

Activity 5

Timing: Allow approximately 10 minutes

Reread the following paragraph taken from Fred’s essay [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . In what way does new information build on information the reader is already familiar with? Identify all the words or phrases that are linked in this way.

For example, at Liberty of Earley House, the residents all have their own rooms and are able to keep many personal possessions (Peace, 2005, p. 71). This enables them to retain their sense of identity and gives them a degree of control over at least part of their lives. They are happy to allow the staff access to their ‘territory’ and are grateful for the sense of security which they get from knowing that help is always on hand if required. The residents have all had to come to terms with the fact that, for reasons such as age or infirmity, they can no longer lead fully independent lives, but can happily accept this compromise.

Once again you can do this activity in any way you wish: by highlighting, underlining or otherwise annotating a paper copy of the essay or by making notes in the box provided below. When you have finished compare your answer with mine.

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Answer

As can be seen below, the first sentence introduces the new theme ‘residents’. This becomes familiar information, which is used to introduce each of the following sentences through the use of the words ‘the residents’, ‘them’ and ‘they’.

Another link is established by using the word ‘this’ in the second sentence to summarise the information at the end of the first sentence. Therefore, ‘this’ is treated as familiar information in the second sentence.

For example, at Liberty of Earley House, the residents all have their own rooms and are able to keep many personal possessions (Peace, 2005, p. 71). This enables them to retain their sense of identity and gives them a degree of control over at least part of their lives. They are happy to allow the staff access to their ‘territory’ and are grateful for the sense of security which they get from knowing that help is always on hand if required. The residents have all had to come to terms with the fact that, for reasons such as age or infirmity, they can no longer lead fully independent lives, but can happily accept this compromise.

If you chose to use colour to visualise this activity you can see the same information in this PDF: Week 5 Activity 5 answer.