REPAIRING PROBLEMS STRATEGY 3: Topicalising phrases First-aid for: 'given-new' and organising flow Use a topicalising phrase to create connections between sentences if the existing links are unclear. A 'topicalising phrase' is an introductory prepositional phrase placed in topic position (at the start of a sentence) which links what is to follow with what has already been mentioned. The addition of a topicalising phrase may help to repair text chunks with poor topical progression and weak links between sentences. When a topicalising phrase is used, a “given” idea is acknowledged and the topic moves on. Here are some examples of frequently used topicalising phrases which can be adapted for use in different text contexts: LOCATION As discussed in the previous section, ... In an earlier study, ... In this procedure, ... COMPARISON-CONTRAST In comparison with [GIVEN], ... Similar to [GIVEN], ... Unlike [GIVEN], ... MEANS Using these methods, ... Adopting the framework described, we... PURPOSE To overcome / solve this difficulty / problem, ... To address these problems, ... To analyse this problem, ... LOGICAL CONNECTION Because of this problem, ... Despite this problem, ... In addition to [GIVEN], ... TIME After the solution was treated, ... For / In each case, ...

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