Introduction to AI 2

by Albert Major

Strong Presentation of Arguments

• Why presentation matters:
  • Example: Two images of chocolate chip cookies.
    • People judge appearance first and assume one tastes better than the other.
    • Similarly, readers judge a text’s presentation before engaging with the content.
• How to make a text presentable:
  • Formatting (title page, font, spacing, margins).
  • Structure is crucial in making arguments clear and persuasive.

Coherence vs. Cohesion

• Coherence: The logical structure of a text.
  • The entire text, sections, and paragraphs must be organized properly.
  • A well-structured text is easy to skim (finding main ideas) and scan (finding specific info).
• Cohesion: The connections between ideas within a text.
  • Helps sentences flow smoothly.
  • Uses linking words (e.g., “however,” “therefore”), repeated key terms, and pronouns.

Coherence: Organizing a Text Logically

1. Whole Text Structure
   • The argumentative essay must follow the required structure.
   • Present information in the correct order.
2. Sections & Subsections
   • Sections can be labeled (e.g., Introduction, Rebuttal).
   • If labels are redundant, they should be left out to save space.
   • Example: A text with section labels vs. without them—labels help if they add clarity.
3. Paragraph Structure (Hamburger Paragraphs)
   • A good paragraph has three parts:
     • Topic sentence (introduces the paragraph’s main idea).
     • Supporting sentences (develop the idea with examples and reasoning).
     • Concluding sentence (wraps up the paragraph and connects it to the next).
   • Analogy: A hamburger
     • The topic and concluding sentences are the bread (hold the paragraph together).
     • The middle sentences are the filling (add supporting details).
   • Topic sentences should clearly state the main idea.
     • If a reader only reads topic sentences, they should understand the main points.
   • Concluding sentences reinforce the paragraph’s main idea.
     • Should not just repeat the topic sentence but add a final thought.
4. Evaluating Topic & Concluding Sentences
   • Example: Two versions of a text on AI Winter.
   • Better version has:
     • Clear topic sentences.
     • Strong concluding sentences that connect ideas.
   • Weaker version lacks structure, making it harder to follow.
5. Testing Coherence
   • Skim only the topic and concluding sentences of your text.
   • If the main ideas aren’t clear, the structure needs improvement.

Cohesion: Making Sentences Flow

1. What is Cohesion?
   • The glue that holds sentences together.
   • If a connection isn’t written explicitly, it exists only in the author’s head.
   • Readers need clear links between sentences.