Question

Conduct a document analysis to identify and explain how parts of language are used. The following paragraph is taken from a report published by a water company. In this paragraph, the writer is describing how he decided on a method for increasing the company’s business within his branch. Read the paragraph and then answer the following questions. (1) We found the best way to improve the Montana branch would be to add a storage facility to our existing supply sources. (2) Currently, we can handle the average demand on a maximum day; the storage capacity will allow us to meet peaking requirements and fire protection needs. (3) In conducting our investigation, we considered developing new supply sources with sufficient capacity to meet current and future needs. (4) This alternative was rejected, however, when our consultants (Smith and Jones) did groundwater studies that revealed insufficient groundwater is available and that the new wells would have to be located too far apart if they were not to interfere with each other.

In what ways does the topic sentence function as it should?

Identify the transitional words or phrases.

How are they used effectively? Identify the repeated key words.

How effectively does the writer use key words?

Identify the demonstrative pronouns followed by nouns.

How effectively does the writer use them?

Answer 1

(1) We found the best way to improve the Montana branch “would be” (transitional word) to add a “storage” facility to our existing “supply sources” (repeated keyword).

(2) “Currently”, (transitional word) we can handle the average demand on a maximum day; the “storage capacity” will allow us to meet peaking requirements “and” (transitional word) fire protection needs.

(3) “In conducting our investigation”, we considered developing new “supply sources” (repeated keyword) with sufficient “capacity” to meet current “and” (transitional word) future needs.

(4) “This” alternative was rejected, “however” (transitional word), when our consultants (Smith and Jones) did groundwater studies “that” revealed insufficient groundwater is available “and” (transitional word) “that” (demonstrative pronouns) “the new wells” (nouns) would have to be located too far apart “if” (transitional word) they were not to interfere with each other.

In what ways does the topic sentence function as it should?

A topic sentence sets the theme and subject of the paragraph. It organizes the entire paragraph. Here the first sentence focuses on how the company plans to increase the business “We found the best way to improve the Montana branch would be to add a storage facility to our existing supply sources”.

Identify the transitional words or phrases. How are they used effectively? (red font used)

Transitional words are used to link words, phrases, and sentences. It helps the author to move from one idea to another. The transitional words have been used effectively to discuss the business idea and to share that the idea is not effective and was rejected. The sentences are comprehensible and flow smoothly because of transitional words and phrases.

Identify repeated keywords. How effectively does the writer use keywords?

The repeated keyword is “supply sources”, “storage” and “capacity”. Each word has been used twice in the entire discussion. It has been used minimally and emphasizes the need to increase the business where required.

Identify the demonstrative pronouns followed by nouns. How effectively does the writer use them? (green font used)

Demonstrative pronouns are “this”, “that”, “these”, “Those”. The author is using the demonstrative pronouns only in the last sentence where the author is discussing that the alternative was not successful and the author makes use of only “this” and “that” predominantly. The author has made minimal use of the demonstrative pronouns as has not made much use of them.