Structuring a Coherent Essay Flashcards
7 cards from real LNAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Structuring a Coherent Essay flashcards as text
In essay writing, 'coherence' primarily refers to:
Answer: The logical flow and connectedness of ideas across the essay
Coherence is the quality of the essay's ideas connecting smoothly and logically, so the reader can follow the argument without confusion.
A student writes a body paragraph without a topic sentence. The likely consequence is:
Answer: The reader will struggle to identify what point the paragraph is making
Without a topic sentence, the paragraph's purpose is unclear, forcing the reader to infer the argument rather than follow it.
Which of the following best illustrates the 'umbrella' approach to thesis construction?
Answer: Writing a broad thesis that each body paragraph narrows and supports
An umbrella thesis is broad enough to encompass all body paragraph arguments, giving the essay a unified direction.
An essay arguing that mandatory sentencing laws should be repealed is most structurally sound if its body paragraphs address:
Answer: The effect on judicial discretion, disproportionate impact on minorities, and lack of deterrence evidence—each in a distinct paragraph
Distinct paragraphs covering separate dimensions of the argument build a cumulative, multi-faceted case that is both logical and thorough.
What is the risk of using a 'stream of consciousness' writing style in an LNAT essay?
Answer: Ideas will flow in an unstructured way, making the argument difficult to evaluate
Stream of consciousness writing lacks deliberate structure, producing essays where the argument is buried or absent rather than clearly advanced.
When should a writer use a rhetorical question in an LNAT essay?
Answer: Sparingly, to draw the reader's attention to a key tension or implication
Rhetorical questions are a useful device when used deliberately to highlight a key issue, but overuse weakens argumentative precision.
A student argues that 'euthanasia should be legal' and uses three paragraphs to discuss the history of medicine, ancient Greek views, and the etymology of the word 'euthanasia.' What structural problem exists?
Answer: The body paragraphs do not advance the central argumentative claim
None of the body paragraphs argue for or against legalization; they provide context without contributing to the thesis.