Unit 1: Logic

Unit 1: Logic

Writing and oral expression share a similar mission: communication between people. However, writing has the unique advantage of preserving information through the documentation of language, which allows it to convey more complex ideas and makes it less prone to fading over time. In writing, the person conveying the message is the author, whereas the person receiving the message is the reader. The key to the successfully communicating the message mainly relies on the author’s “writing logic”. This “writing logic” can be best understood as the author’s thinking process and the connections between the conveyed ideas presented in the article. An essay with clear writing logic enables readers to easily grasp its main idea, while unclear writing logic can lead to misunderstanding or confusion. In this unit, we will first explain the structure of logical thinking and then introduce strategies to strengthen the writing logic. Please note that since our target readers are primarily instructors and students engaged in academic writing, explanations and examples will mainly center around argumentative texts.

First of all, it is important to note that the basic component of an argumentative essay is the “claim”, which draws a conclusion based on reasoning and evidence. Essentially, argumentative writing is to demonstrate the argumentation process. Therefore, systematic presentation of the reasoning and evidence is crucial in the writing logic of such an essay. Let’s take the following GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) prompt as an example, which asks to what extent the examinee agrees or disagrees with the following statement:

Governments should not fund any scientific research whose results are unclear.

If we argue for “total disagreement,” supported by reasons A, B, and C, the thesis of our essay would be: Due to reasons A, B, and C, we disagree with the claim.

Next, we must consider which reasons and evidence can precisely support this argument. We could take into account that significant scientific research often cannot accurately predict results, and without government funding, there might be missed opportunities for successful breakthroughs. Moreover, even if the research fails to yield significant results, existing scientific technologies could be improved during the research process because of government funding. We could also question the ambiguity in the prompt, such as what “results” refer to and the meaning of “unclear”. All these lines of reasoning could directly support the conclusion, making them the “main arguments”. However, despite their soundness, these main arguments are not yet properly organized and thus lack coherence, leaving us unable to determine the best order in which to present them. To address this issue, we should evaluate how they relate to one another and then arrange them in a logical sequence. We must first clarify the meaning of the prompt and then ensure that the arguments made are relevant and can substantiate the conclusion. This process may begin with defining the questions arising from the prompt. Once the prompt has been clarified, we can then validate the primary argument by prsenting valid reasons or evidence to demonstrate the potential benefits of “research with unclear results”, reframing the premise from presumed failure to recognition of possible positive outcomes generated from the research process. Following this logic, we can arrange the main arguments in sequence from left to right:

After presenting the main arguments, we should carefully consider whether these arguments are strong enough to fully support the conclusion, or whether they require additional “sub-arguments”. Consider the idea of “unclear definition in the prompt”. We must clearly define what “results” and “unclear” actually mean. Valid scientific research results often involve 3-5 years of longitudinal study, whereas short-term outcomes over a few months may not be reliable indicators for assessment. Hence, we can redefine the word “results” in the prompt as “the data results based on 3-5 years of continuous observation”. Similarly, the term of “unclear” can specifically refer to situations in which the research team is unable to publish their findings in academic journals or make their products available to the public. By offering these more precise explanations, we can better convince readers that the prompt’s explanation is insufficient. Using the same approach, we continue to examine each main argument in the essay and organize relevant sub-arguments in order to construct a more comprehensive and logically coherent response, as shown below:

 

Once we understand the foundation of logical thinking structure, we can further explore three strategies to enhance the writing logic. First, if our main arguments and sub-arguments adhere to the MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) principle, effectiveness of the argumentation will significantly increase. “Mutually exclusive” means that each argument is distinct, and they do not overlap with each other, which allows readers to more accurately understand the author’s reasoning. “Collectively exhaustive” indicates that all the presented arguments are comprehensive and thorough, making it less likely that readers will raise additional points to challenge the author’s conclusion.

Second, when the topic is clearly defined (unlike the aforementioned example) and the arguments adhere to the MECE principle, experienced writers often choose to prioritize the most compelling arguments that best support the conclusion. This is because both the writer and the reader can benefit from adddressing the most crucial information early in the essay. For the writer, presenting the strongest argument early increases the chance of convincing the reader. For the readers, they are most likely to stop reading if they do not find the essay convincing early on. It is worth noting that the stronger the argument, the longer the paragraph tends to be, because stronger arguments convey more information to better support the conclusion. Thus, in an argumentative essay, the arguments presented earlier typically have greater impact and are followed by longer paragraphs.

Finally, adhering to the rule of “first introduced, first explained” also helps strengthen the logical flow of writing. This rule relates to how the thesis statement and topic sentences serve to guide the sequence of arguments: those mentioned first in the thesis statement or topic sentences should be explained first. For example, if  the thesis statement reads: “Taiwan’s beauty lies in its serene mountains, refreshing hot springs, and delicious cuisines”, it is important to ensure that (1) “mountains” should be the most significant argument with the longest paragraph; and (2) the body paragraphs should follow the order of “mountains, hot springs, and cuisines,” allowing readers to easily follow the narrative. Changing the order to “hot springs, cuisines, mountains,” would confuse the reader and disrupt the writer’s logical flow.

To sum up, the “writing logic” reflects the author’s thinking process. Well-reasoned writing logic not only strengthens arguments, but also helps readers understand the connections between the various lines of  reasoning presented in an essay. Developing strong writing logic cannot be achieved overnight; it requires deliberate thinking and continuous practice. To write a compelling and impactful essay, authors should thoughtfully organize the arguments in a logical and effective manner, and apply the writing logic principles peresented in this unit.

I. Chinese Writing Websites and Reference Books

  1. “From Words to Structure: A Guide to Academic Writing”
    • Chapter 5: Sentences, Paragraphs, and Texts
    • This book is designed to guide academic research writing, with each chapter divided into three parts: main content, discussions and exercises, and writing practice. Chapter 5 describes the principles of sentence structures, logical sentence structures, and appropriate use of punctuation, among other topics. It includes numerous exercises that allow readers to practice sentence transitions and logical coherence.
  2. “Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Arguement” [2nd Edition]
    • Unit 5: How well do they do it? Clarity, consistency and structure
    • This book aims to equip readers with essential critical thinking skills. It offers a selection of sample essays, various kinds of rubrics, and practice exercises. Unit 5 introduces several methods for identifying the strengths and weaknesses in argumentation, starting with the author’s stance. This is followed by a discussion of consistent logical flow and the connection between the conclusions and logical reasoning. The unit emphasizes well-crafted organization, structure and coherent logic, with all sentences tied to the conclusion. Readers will benefit from learning and practicing organization of their writing logic.
  3. “Concise Writing: Writing is Thinking! 20 Lessons for Refined Thinking”
    • [Lesson 7] Structural Power (1): Cultivating the Golden Triangle of Logic
    • This chapter focuses on “structural thinking”, using a fishbone as an analogy for logical structure in writing. The fish spine represents the main theme, the fish head symbolizes the claim, and the ribs extending to both sides stand for the logical structure of an essay. The flesh attached to the ribs serves as the supporting evidence, and finally, the tail is the conclusion. Readers are encouraged to start practicing structural thinking and applying it to their writing.
  4. “Every Little Helps: Logic, Critical Thinking, and Writing Skills in the Micro-Writing Era”
    • Chapter 2: Writing Fundamentals
    • Unit 5 covers the basic concepts of writing, focusing on the essential elements that comprise a well-crafted piece of writing.
    • This unit discusses how we can examine the unity of an essay through logic, syntax and Part 1 briefly introduces logical classification, facts versus opinions, and how to unify imagery and logic throughout the whole text. Part 2 introduces relative clauses, and lastly explains how to develop a feedback mechanism. Readers can use this guide to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their own writing to refine or reinforce their writing logic and flow.
  5. “150 Years of Harvard Writing Skills”
    • Chapter 3: The Writing Formula That Keeps Readers Hooked
    • This chapter shows that logical reasoning is key to convincing readers and how to best apply the “O.R.E.O. MAP” (Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion/Offer) to strengthen writing logic and make essays more persuasive and readable.
  1. “McKinsey Writing Techniques and Logical Thinking”
    • Chapter 2: Writing coherent and impactful prose
    • This selection emphasizes the importance of logic in writing and shows readers how to make their writing more logical through effectively using subjects, specific word choices and transitional signals. The chapter concludes with practice activities, answers, and explanations that help readers enhance their ability to maintain logical coherence in their writing.

 

II. English Writing Websites and Reference Books

  1. Athabasca University Write Site
  • Test Yourself: Make It Coherent
    https://www.athabascau.ca/write-site/the-paragraph/make-it-coherent/test-yourself.html
    The Athabasca University Write Site offers hands-on lessons and resources that prepare students to become proficient writers. Sample resources are provided for practicing writing logic, including the tutorial video of “Make it Coherent”, which explains how to ensure a cohesive and fluent text, followed by a self-check Coherent Test.
  1. The Writing Center at George Mason University
  • Cohesion and Coherence
    https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/cohesion-and-coherence
    The Writing Center at George Mason University website supports readers by providing useful guides and practical lessons on a wide range of writing skills. This selection guides readers in creating cohesion and coherence between and within paragraphs and  emphasizes the importance of using various techniques to establish clear connection between ideas and to craft well-reasoned arguments with supporting details.
  1. Monash University Language and Learning Online
  • Write Clearly
    https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success/excel-at-writing/improve-your-writing/write-clearly
    Learners can explore a variety of academic writing resources and exercises across different fields through the Monash University Language and Learning Online website. The “Critical Thinking” unit explains how cultivating a critical thinking mindset can help reinforce the strength and logical flow of our arguments, while the “Write Clearly” unit provides tips on how to enhance the clarity with which we articulate our viewpoints.
  1. Writing Commons
  • Edit for Flow, Coherence, Unity
    https://writingcommons.org/section/editing/edit-for-flow- coherence-unity/
    Writing Commons, created by Professor Joe Moxley, is a peer-reviewed educational resource designed to meet the writing needs of teachers and students in academia. The selected unit focuses on “flow”, a term that describes logical coherence and organization in writing. This resource discusses the importance of writing flow and the different types of “flow” that contribute to different writing ideas or styles. Some useful tips are provided on how to integrate this concept into the writing process.

 

  1. NTUAWEC E-Paper
  • Critical Factors in English Academic Writing: Logical Organization and Coherence
    https://epaper.ntu.edu.tw/view.php?listid=245&id=22809
    The resources linked above are excerpted from the Spotlight Column in Issues 5 and 8 of the AWEC monthly e-Paper. Issue 5 describes how mystery writers engage readers with the logical structure of their narratives and how they omit unnecessary details to maintain a consistent flow. Readers can extend this approach to academic writing, which may help to create a sense of clarity and unity. Issue 8 identifies six common pitfalls in academic writing, related to topic sentences, unity and coherence, the strength of supportive evidence, transitional connectors, cause-effect relationships and conclusions. Sample passages are provided to illustrate how to construct a well-reasoned and logically coherent text.
  1. 臺灣大學寫作教學中心(寫作資源) NTUAWEC (Writing Resources)
  • Unity and Coherence
    https://reurl.cc/W3aDKO
    Our Writing Resources webpage provides guidance and suggestions on common writing problems. The resources covers a wide range of materials, including tutorial videoes and links to additional related websites, both domestic and international. The “Unity and Coherence” unit presents a 20-minute mini-lesson, which uses a sample paragraph about Gold to guide readers through a logical progression of writing flow, allowing readers to develop a better understanding of writing logic.
  1. The Elements of Style
  • Elementary Principles of Composition
    This book provides a comprehensive guide to English grammar rules, writing principles, formatting style considerations, and common errors. It aims to help learners recognize and address their frequent writing mistakes and thereby refine their writing skills. Chapter 2 explores the key elements of paragraph structures and linguistic details, including voice, word choice, and sentence structures. Through practice, learners can significantly enhance the logical flow of their writing.