Coherence in Writing

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Coherence is product of many different factors, which combine to make every paragraph, every sentence, and every phrase contribute to the meaning of the whole piece. Coherence in writing is much more difficult to sustain than coherent speech simply because writers have no nonverbal clues to inform them if their message is clear or not. Therefore, writers must make their patterns of coherence much more explicit and much more carefully planned. Coherence itself is the product of two factors — paragraph unity and sentence cohesion.

Paragraph Unity
To achieve paragraph unity, a writer must ensure two things only. First, the paragraph must have a single generalization that serves as the focus of attention, that is, a topic sentence. Secondly, a writer must control the content of every other sentence in the paragraph's body such that (a) it contains more specific information than the topic sentence and (b) it maintains the same focus of attention as the topic sentence.
This generalization about paragraph structure holds true for the essay in particular. The two major exceptions to this formula for paragraph unity are found in fiction (where paragraph boundaries serve other functions, such as indicating when a new speaker is talking in a story) and in journalism (where paragraphs are especially short to promote 'visual' ease by creating white space).
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Sentence Cohesion

To achieve cohesion, the link of one sentence to the next, consider the following techniques:

1. Repetition. In sentence B (the second of any two sentences), repeat a word from sentence A.

2. Synonymy. If direct repetition is too obvious, use a synonym of the word you wish to repeat. This strategy is call 'elegant variation.'

3. Antonymy. Using the 'opposite' word, an antonym, can also create sentence cohesion, since in language antonyms actually share more elements of meaning than you might imagine.

4. Pro-forms. Use a pronoun, pro-verb, or another pro-form to make explicit reference back to a form mentioned earlier.

5. Collocation. Use a commonly paired or expected or highly probable word to connect one sentence to another.

6. Enumeration. Use overt markers of sequence to highlight the connection between ideas. This system has many advantages: (a) it can link ideas that are otherwise completely unconnected, (b) it looks formal and distinctive, and (c) it promotes a second method of sentence cohesion, discussed in (7) below.

7. Parallelism. Repeat a sentence structure. This technique is the oldest, most overlooked, but probably the most elegant method of creating cohesion.

8. Transitions. Use a conjunction or conjunctive adverb to link sentences with particular logical relationships.

a. Identity. Indicates sameness.
that is, that is to say, in other words, ...

b. Opposition. Indicates a contrast.
but, yet, however, nevertheless, still, though, although, whereas, in contrast, rather, ...

c. Addition. Indicates continuation.
and, too, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, besides, in the same way, again, another, similarly, a similar, the same, ...
d. Cause and effect.

therefore, so, consequently, as a consequence, thus, as a result, hence, it follows that, because, since, for, ...

e. Indefinites. Indicates a logical connection of an unspecified type.
in fact, indeed, now, ...

f. Concession. Indicates a willingness to consider the other side.
admittedly, I admit, true, I grant, of course, naturally, some believe, some people believe, it has been claimed that, once it was believed, there are those who would say, ...

g. Exemplification. Indicates a shift from a more general or abstract idea to a more specific or concrete idea.

for example, for instance, after all, an illustration of, even, indeed, in fact, it is true, of course, specifically, to be specific, that is, to illustrate, truly, ...




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