Coherence

When sentences, ideas, and details fit together clearly, readers can follow along easily, and the writing is coherent. The ideas tie together smoothly and clearly. To establish the links that readers need, you can use the methods listed here. Note that good writers use a combination of these methods. Do not rely on and overuse any single method – especially transitional words.

Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase

This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track.


Example:

The problem with contemporary art is that it is not easily understood by most people. Contemporary art is deliberately abstract, and that means it leaves the viewer wondering what she is looking at.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning, and they provide some variety in your word choices, helping the reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed.

Example:
Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred origins. These traditional narratives are, in short, a set of beliefs that are a very real force in the lives of the people who tell them.

Pronouns

This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned. Be sure, however, that what you are referring to is clear.

Example:
When scientific experiments do not work out as expected, they are often considered failures until some other scientist tries them again. Those that work out better the second time around are the ones that promise the most rewards.

Transitional Words

There are many words in English that cue our readers to relationships between sentences, joining sentences together. See below for a table of transitional words.  There you'll find lists of words such as however, therefore, in addition, also, but, moreover, etc.

Example:
I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of the year, too. The leaves turn bright shades of red and the weather is mild, but I can't help thinking ahead to the winter and the ice storms that will surely blow through here. In addition, that will be the season of chapped faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days when I'll have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's windshield.


Note that transitional words have meaning and are not just used at beginnings of sentences. They can also be used to show relationships between different parts of the same sentence. As mentioned above they cue readers to relationships between sentences/clauses. If you use the wrong transitional word then you confuse your reader. It would be better if you didn’t use any transitional word rather than the wrong one. Furthermore you do not need a transitional word at the beginning of each sentence. Good writers rarely use them as they achieve coherence by using other techniques. Many students overuse transitional words. Your instructor will guide you as to what problems you may have with transitions.

Sentence Patterns

Sometimes, repeated or parallel sentence patterns can help the reader follow along and keep ideas tied together.

Example:
(from a speech by President John F. Kennedy)

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

Much of the above information was obtained from Purdue University. Details below.
This page is located at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_cohere.html
Copyright ©1995-2002 by OWL at Purdue University and Purdue University. All rights reserved.

Transitional Words

Addition

again
also
and
and then
besides
equally
further(more)
in addition (to...)
indeed
next
in fact
moreover
too
what is more
finally
Comparison
compared with
in comparison with
in the same way/manner
similarly
likewise
again
also
Contrast
besides
but
however
in contrast
instead
conversely
it may be the case that
certainly
also
likewise
naturally
nevertheless
of course
on the contrary
on the other hand
regardless
granted
like
different from
Alternatively
still
whereas
while
yet
although
despite
it is true that
notwithstanding
Enumeration
first(ly) secondly etc.
finally
in the (first) place
last
to (begin) with
more important
on top of (that)
next
then
Concession
although it is true that
it may appear
regardless
certainly
granted that
naturally
it is true  that
I admit that
of course
it may be the case that

Exemplification
as (evidence of...)
for example
for instance
thus
to illustrate

such as
to show what (I mean)
specifically
let us (take the case of...)

Inference
if not, ...
in (that) case
otherwise
that implies
then
Summary/Conclusion
in all
in brief
to summarise
in summary
in short
in conclusion
therefore
In a nutshell
on the whole
to sum up
basically


Time and Sequence
after (a while)
afterwards
at first
at last
at (the same time)
while
first , second, third...
thereafter
concurrently
soon
as soon as
before (that time)
finally
in the end
meanwhile
next
immediately
next
firstly , secondly, thirdly...
in the future
subsequently
at that time
since (then)
so far
then
(up to) (then)
later
somewhat earlier
shortly
over the next (2 days)
as long as
last
Result
accordingly
as a result
consequently
since
as a consequence of...
caused
accordingly
for that reason
hence
thus
if...then...
...result(s) in ...
contribute to
In consequence
then
therefore
the ( consequence ) of that is...
...is due to...
brought about by/because...
lead to...

Reformulation
in other words
rather
Briefly
put simply
that is (to say)
to put it
more (simply)
basically
Replacement
again
alternatively
(better) still
on the other hand
the alternative is...
Transition
as far as ... is concerned
as for ...
incidentally
now
to turn to...
with ( reference) to
with regard to...
Concerning...
Place/Position
above
beyond
in the back
nearby
elsewhere
opposite to
behind
adjacent
here
near
there
far
to the left
below
in front
there
closer to
farther on
to the right

Miscellaneous - Adverbs may be used at the beginning of sentences to show how the sentence which follows relates to the rest of the text. Many of them reveal the writers attitude to the idea they are expressing and so can be used as an important tool in evaluative writing.
Admittedly
All things considered
As a general rule
As far as we know
Astonishingly
Broadly
By and large
Characteristically
Clearly
Coincidentally
Conveniently
Curiously
Disappointingly
Equally
Essentially
Explicitly
Even so
Eventually
Fortunately

Fundamentally
Generally speaking
Interestingly
Ironically
In essence
In general
In particular
In practice
In reality
In retrospect/hindsight
In theory
In view of this
More interestingly
More seriously
More specifically
Naturally
On balance
Obviously
On reflection
Overall
Paradoxically
Potentially
Predictably
Presumably
Primarily
Probably
Remarkably
Seemingly
Significantly
Surprisingly
Theoretically
To all intents and purposes
Typically
Ultimately
Understandably
Undoubtedly
Unfortunately
With hindsight




Copyright - © 2002 David O'Regan - All rights reserved.