Improving Coherence In Paragraph Writing Among ESL Learners: A Case Study

This study sets out to examine the problems faced by ESL learners of the Faculty of Education, UTM in relation to coherence in writing. The objectives of this study are to assess the coherence of ESL learners’ writing as well as to present ideas and suggestions to help students to improve coherence in their writing. Ten first year TESL students of UTM were involved in this study. The instrument used to assess and analyze coherence in writing was topic-based analysis adapted from Todd (2004). Scores of coherence and coherence breaks as well as interviews were used for data analysis. Finally, this study hopes to be a valuable resource for not only the learners to overcome incoherence in their writing, but also to both content and English language instructors of these learners. It would provide insights to the language teachers on how to help students become more aware of elements of coherence in writing and what can be done to improve coherence in writing

Correction: Polymorphic Alu Insertion/Deletion in Different Caste and Tribal Populations from South India.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157468.]

Polymorphic Alu Insertion/Deletion in Different Caste and Tribal Populations from South India.

Seven human-specific Alu markers were studied in 574 unrelated individuals from 10 endogamous groups and 2 hill tribes of Tamil Nadu and Kerala states. DNA was isolated, amplified by PCR-SSP, and subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, and genotypes were assigned for various Alu loci. Average heterozygosity among caste populations was in the range of 0.292-0.468. Among tribes, the average heterozygosity was higher for Paliyan (0.3759) than for Kani (0.2915). Frequency differences were prominent in all loci studied except Alu CD4. For Alu CD4, the frequency was 0.0363 in Yadavas, a traditional pastoral and herd maintaining population, and 0.2439 in Narikuravars, a nomadic gypsy population. The overall genetic difference (Gst) of 12 populations (castes and tribes) studied was 3.6%, which corresponds to the Gst values of 3.6% recorded earlier for Western Asian populations. Thus, our study confirms the genetic similarities between West Asian populations and South Indian castes and tribes and supported the large scale coastal migrations from Africa into India through West Asia. However, the average genetic difference (Gst) of Kani and Paliyan tribes with other South Indian tribes studied earlier was 8.3%. The average Gst of combined South and North Indian Tribes (CSNIT) was 9.5%. Neighbor joining tree constructed showed close proximity of Kani and Paliyan tribal groups to the other two South Indian tribes, Toda and Irula of Nilgiri hills studied earlier. Further, the analysis revealed the affinities among populations and confirmed the presence of North and South India specific lineages. Our findings have documented the highly diverse (micro differentiated) nature of South Indian tribes, predominantly due to isolation, than the endogamous population groups of South India. Thus, our study firmly established the genetic relationship of South Indian castes and tribes and supported the proposed large scale ancestral migrations from Africa, particularly into South India through West Asian corridor

Average hetrozygosities based on 7 <i>Alu</i> loci in caste/tribal populations from South India.

<p>Average hetrozygosities based on 7 <i>Alu</i> loci in caste/tribal populations from South India.</p

Analysis of gene diversity for individual loci considered jointly between populations.

<p>Analysis of gene diversity for individual loci considered jointly between populations.</p

Principal component analysis of 48 caste populations of India based on allele frequency data (Red color indicates present study populations).

<p>Principal component analysis of 48 caste populations of India based on allele frequency data (Red color indicates present study populations).</p

Neighbor joining tree of 10 caste and 2 tribal populations of Tamil Nadu based on <i>Alu</i> polymorphisms.

<p>Neighbor joining tree of 10 caste and 2 tribal populations of Tamil Nadu based on <i>Alu</i> polymorphisms.</p

Gene diversity analysis of individual loci, and all loci considered jointly in tribal populations.

<p>Gene diversity analysis of individual loci, and all loci considered jointly in tribal populations.</p

Map showing study areas of caste and tribal populations.

<p>(1) Vanniyar (n = 51); (2) Pallar (n = 50); (3) Vettuva Gounder (n = 44); (4) Kallar (n = 53); (5) Iyer (n = 44); (6) Sourashtra (n = 39); (7) Narikuravar (n = 58); (8) Paliyar (n = 58); (9) Namboothiri (n = 35); (10) Nair (n = 56); (11) Kani (n = 49); (12) Yadava (n = 54).</p