Thinking between sentences
A significant amount of the time we spend
writing we actually spend re-reading what
we have already written and thinking about
what to write next…
(I want to directly answer the question.
The first sentence will be my topic
sentence.)
Carbon dioxide affects the physiology of
organisms; in humans carbon dioxide can
affect pulmonary ventilation and the
mechanism of breathing. (20)
Carbon dioxide affects the physiology of
organisms; in humans carbon dioxide can
affect pulmonary ventilation and the
mechanism of breathing.
(I need to be more detailed with a specific
description of what carbon dioxide does to
human respiration.)
Carbon dioxide is a waste product of
respiration; it enters the blood when a
respiratory organism is exercising or is
anxious. (20)
Carbon dioxide is a waste product of
respiration; it enters the blood when a
respiratory organism is exercising or is
anxious.
(Now I need to develop the point, linking
this to chemoreceptors in the blood.)
A build up of carbon dioxide in the blood
will be detected by chemoreceptors which
will trigger the brain to make the heart beat
faster. (25)
A build up of carbon dioxide in the blood will
be detected by chemoreceptors which will
trigger the brain to make the heart beat
faster.
(I need to finish this paragraph with a bit
about the effect of the pulse rate increase.)
The quickening pulse rate increases the
rate of oxygen in-take and carbon dioxide
expiration, ensuring the blood remains
oxygenated. (20)
The quickening pulse rate increases the
rate of oxygen in-take and carbon dioxide
expiration, ensuring the blood remains
oxygenated.
(Next paragraph – I need to look back to
the last paragraph and forward to the
next.)
Carbon dioxide warns the brain that the
respiratory organism is exerting itself and
requires more oxygen; in plants it is a key
ingredient for photosynthesis. (25)
Carbon dioxide affects the physiology of
organisms; in humans carbon dioxide can affect
pulmonary ventilation and the mechanism of
breathing. Carbon dioxide is a waste product of
respiration; it enters the blood when a
respiratory organism is exercising or is anxious.
A build up of carbon dioxide in the blood will be
detected by chemoreceptors which will trigger
the brain to make the heart rate beat faster. The
quickening pulse rate increases the rate of
oxygen in-take and carbon dioxide expiration,
ensuring the blood remains oxygenated. (85)
Carbon dioxide warns the brain that the
respiratory organism is exerting itself and
requires more oxygen; in plants it is a key
ingredient for photosynthesis. (25)
Other thoughts…
• We think about the next sentence whilst we
are writing, especially under time pressure;
• Write in singles not doubles;
• Write in positives;
• Use the right word, not a high-sounding one;
• Write in shorter rather than longer sentences;
• Twentyish words per sentence maximum;
• Four sentences per paragraph;
• Eight to ten paragraphs (or thirty-forty
sentences) make an essay.