OWL, Paragraph Unity Quiz

1. What are the features of a unified paragraph?


2. How does one check a paragraph to ensure that it is unified.


Decide if each of the student-written paragraphs below is unified or not unified.

3. In Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean has a private beach. It’s separated from the rest of the island by a tall black iron fence that is neatly tucked away just beyond the tree line. One wonders if it’s meant to keep the tourists in or the locals out. Nevertheless, while at the private beach, tourists can relax in hammocks between two palm trees and look out over crystal clear, blue ocean water or swim with the colorful tropical fish, like in the postcards and travel advertisements.
Yes, this paragraph is unified
No, this paragraph is not unified

4. The beach at Labadee is exactly what one would picture when thinking of spending a lazy day on a tropical island. It conforms to the picture shown in advertisements and television commercials rather than to the reality of life for most people of Haiti. As Walker says in “The Loss of the Creature," rather than experiencing something real, the tourist is satisfied by the degree to which the place conforms to a preformed idea (Percy). In other words, the Royal Caribbean tourists are happy simply because Haiti fits their preconceived idea of a tropical island. They happily consume the sandy beech and palm trees like they would consume a bag of Doritos.
Yes, this paragraph is unified
No, this paragraph is not unified

5. My parents are a good example of people who saw great cultural change. Both of my parents had been raised during the Depression era. They met and married while they were both in their mid-twenties, an age considered "late" for betrothal in the early 1950’s. They chose to live in a modest suburban house in a small development in New Jersey. Each house had its own unique look, unlike the tract houses becoming common at this time. My family’s house was quite modern at the time, compared to the farmhouse my mother grew up in. The rear entrance was the more commonly used. Along with my father’s reclining chair, the L-shaped couch made the den an inviting place. Electricity was wired throughout the home, and overhead lights adorned each room. The dining room was used for special occasions such as birthdays or holidays. The kitchen was compact with all its modern conveniences. Indoor plumbing made a dishwasher possible, and a gas stove proved to be far more efficient that the wood burning stove.
Yes, this paragraph is unified
No, this paragraph is not unified

Choose the sentence in each student-written paragraph that does not belong (that breaks the unity of the paragraph)

6. The language my Hispanic co-workers speak is more than the Spanish language. When I walk into their offices, I see flavors of their culture sprinkled everywhere. One flavor is the small, round purple, pink, red Mexican toy sitting on the desk beckoning to be played with. Another flavor is a purple, pink, red and white colored shawl with white fringe dangling from its edges that is draped over a chair. And yet another is a pencil drawn picture of a small Mexican village hanging on the wall. I love these things and treasure them as much as my co-workers do. At office potlucks, I love eating and learning how to cook tortillas filled with meat, refried beans, and melted cheeses. No matter how I try to cook the same meal, it just doesn’t taste the same. I love that Latin flavor
And yet another is a pencil drawn picture of a small Mexican village hanging on the wall
No matter how I try to cook the same meal, it just doesn’t taste the same.

7. Among the residents of Coalinga are different generations from infants to elderly citizens. Because this community is so small there is a low crime rate. This makes Coalinga a safe place to raise children or to retire. Perhaps the largest portion of the population is young families with children in the local schools. Children are seen playing while parents work hard in the yard, and the retired can be found enjoying a day at the senior center.
Because this community is so small there is a low crime rate.
Children are seen playing while parents work hard in the yard, and the retired can be found enjoying a day at the senior center.

8. Pulling together the residents of Coalinga, no matter what their race, religion, or age, are the community events. Every year during Memorial Day weekend, the Chamber of Commerce holds the Coalinga Annual Horned Toad Derby. (A horned toad is a lizard with horns, or some call them spikes, across it’s back. It is also the high school mascot.) The Derby lasts 5 days, Thursday through Monday, and is set up at Olsen Park. Each day is assigned a theme or designated for a cultural group; for example; Sunday is Hispanic culture day and Spanish bands sing and play. The reason it is called a Derby (like horse racing) is because every day they hold horned toad races. Even though the horned toad is an endangered species, some residents of Coalinga raise them to race at the Derby each year. It’s quite amusing actually! The Derby is basically a carnival with rides, booths, and a place for everyone to have a good time. Every night there is live music and dancing.
Each day is assigned a theme or designated for a cultural group. . .
Even though the horned toad is an endangered species, some residents of Coalinga raise them to race at the Derby each year.