Coherence

Here are some musts which will help writers enable their readers to understand and easily follow what is written.

1. Transitional Words and Expressions

By using transitional words and expressions, a writer gains coherence. Some of the most frequently used words and expressions for coherence are the following:

To Indicate . . .

  • Addition: again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, indeed, in fact, likewise, next, too, other
  • Comparison: at the same time, in the same way, in like manner, likewise, similarly
  • Concession: although, this may be true, at the same time, after all, granted that, I admit, I concede, naturally, no doubt, surely
  • Consequences or result: all in all, accordingly, after all, and so, as a consequence, as a result, at last, consequently, hence, finally, in conclusion, so, therefore, then, thus
  • Condition: as if, as though, even if
  • Contrast: and yet, although true, at the same time, but, conversely, however, in contrast, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the one hand, rather, still, whereas, yet
  • Examples: especially, for example, for instance, for one thing, frequently, in general, in particular, in this way, namely, occasionally, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, usually
  • Reason: because, since, for
  • Repetition: and so again, as has been said, in fact, indeed, in other words, to recapitulate, to repeat, I repeat
  • Summary: in brief, in short, to sum up, to summarize, in conclusion, to conclude
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    2. Pronoun Reference

    Use pronouns as substitutes for their noun antecedent. These pronouns provide a natural connecting link by carrying the reader back to the thought in the previous sentence.

    3. Repetition of key Words and Phrases (Ideas and images)

    Keeps the dominant subject in the reader’s mind.

    4. Parallel Structure

    Placing similar or logically related ideas in the same kinds of grammatical constructions.

  • Example: The white knight rode his trusty steed over the hill, through the forest, and beyond the river to find his love.

  • Not: The white knight rode his trusty steed over the hill, through the dense forest, and crossed to the other side of the river to find his love.
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    5. Consistent Point of View

    A writer gains coherence by maintaining a consistent point of view. Unnecessary, sudden, and illogical shifts in point-of-view, in subject, person, number, tense, voice, and mood, affect sentence and paragraph relationships, thus obscuring meaning. Avoid shifts in the following:

  • Shifts in subject or voice
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  • Shift: The store was robbed by the two wanted criminals as we entered it.

    [Shift in subjects from store to we; shift in voice from passive to active]

    Improved: We saw the two wanted criminals robbing the store as we entered it.

    •

                                    [Both verbs in active voice]

  • Shift: Jane disliked Paris, but London was enjoyed by her.
    •

                                    [Shift in subject and voice]

                                   Improved: Jane disliked Paris, but she enjoyed London.

                                    [One subject only, Jane; both verbs in active voice]

  • Shifts in tense

  • Shift: Milly opened the door and rushes into the yard after Jack.
    •

                                    [Shift from past tense to present tense]

                                    Improved: Milly opens the door and rushes into the yard after Jack.

                                    [Both present tense]

                                    Improved: Milly opened the door and rushed into the yard after Jack.

                                    [Both past tense]

  • Shifts in mood
    •

  • Shift: Carry the puck on the heel of your stick, and then you should roll it forcefully to the tip and toward the net.
    •

                                    [Shift from the imperative to the indicative mood]

    Improved: Carry the puck on the heel of your stick, and then roll it forcefully to the tip and toward the net.

                [Both verbs in the imperative mood]

  • Shift: A student needs to study long hours for Mr. Fitzgerald’s class. You will find the lectures filled with facts and the examinations difficult.

    •                                 [A shift from third person to second]

                                    Improved: A student needs to study long hours for Mr. Fitzgerald’s class. He or she will find the lectures filled with facts and the examinations difficult.

                                    [Both in third person]

  • Shifts in number
    •
  • Shift: If a person follows those suggestions, they will get into difficulty.
    •

                                    [A shift from singular to plural number.]

                                Improved: If a person follows those suggestions, he (she or he or she) will get into difficulty.

     

    NOTE: Be careful: "everyone" and "everybody" are singular nouns not plural