Section 02 — Structure & Flow (LBS 105)

Section 02 — Structure & Flow

Course: LBS 105 – Writing & Communication I

Learning Session

Explore These Materials: 1. Read (45 min) — Zinsser, On Writing Well (chapters on structure); The Pyramid Principle (short excerpt).
2. Watch (45 min) — Organizing Arguments: Openings, Signposts, and Transitions (workshop clip).
3. Listen (30 min) — Non‑Linear to Linear: Outlining from Notes (craft conversation).
4. Reflect While Engaging — Reverse‑outline a favorite essay: write the claim for each paragraph and circle the transitions.

Key Quote Box

“_____________”

Practice

  1. Reverse Outline — Take a 600–800 word piece you’ve written. Create a one‑line claim for each paragraph, reorder for the strongest flow, and produce a new version.
  2. Signpost Pass — Add topic sentences, transitions, and “because/therefore” links. Highlight where flow improved.
  3. Visual Map — Draw a flow diagram of your argument (claims, reasons, evidence, counter). Use arrows and labels to show movement.
  4. Reflection — Where does pacing (sentence/paragraph length) increase clarity or energy?

Hard Problem (Optional)

Write a 300‑word argument with perfect local clarity (each sentence makes sense) that nevertheless fails globally (the whole doesn’t persuade). Annotate why local clarity is not enough.