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. Repetitionof a Key Termor Phrase This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track.

Example:
The problem with contemporaryart is that it is not easily understood by most people. Contemporaryart 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 traditionalnarrativesare, 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 scientificexperimentsdo 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.

TransitionalWords 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 didnt 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.

SentencePatterns 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. last on top of (that)

finally in the (first) place

to (begin) with more important

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

TimeandSequence
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 with regard to... to turn to... Concerning... with ( reference) to

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 Fundamentally Paradoxically All things considered Generally speaking Potentially

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

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

Predictably Presumably Primarily Probably Remarkably Seemingly Significantly Surprisingly Theoretically To all intents and purposes Typically Ultimately Understandably Undoubtedly Unfortunately With hindsight

1.33 Cohesion: linking words and phrases

You can use words or short phrases which help to guide your reader through your writing, and to link sentences, paragraphs and sections both forwards and backwards. Good use will make what you have written easy to follow; bad use might mean your style is disjointed, probably with too many short sentences, and consequently difficult to follow. Your mark could be affected either way. The best way to "get a feel" for these words is through your reading. Most textbooks and articles are well-written and will probably include a lot of these cohesive devices. Note how they are used and try to emulate what you have read. Do make sure though that you fully understand their meaning: incorrect use could change completely what you're trying to say. Try to use a variety of expressions, particularly in longer pieces of writing. Don't forget "AND"! Two short sentences are often best connected together with this little word. There follows a list of words and phrases that can be used. The list is not exhaustive, and BE CAREFUL: although grouped together, none is totally synonymous. Their position in the sentence can also vary; this is where your reading and dictionary come in.

Listing

Giving examples

Generalising

first, second, third first, furthermore, finally to begin, to conclude next Reinforcement also furthermore moreover what is more in addition besides above all as well (as) in the same way not only ... but also Similarity equally likewise similarly correspondingly in the same way Transition to new point now, as far as x is concerned with regard/reference to as for ... it follows that turning to Summary in conclusion to conclude in brief to summarise overall therefore

for example for instance as follows: that is in this case namely in other words Result/consequence so therefore as a result/consequence accordingly consequently because of this/that thus hence for this/that reason so that in that case under these circumstances Deduction then in other words in that case otherwise this implies that ... if so/not Stating the obvious obviously clearly naturally of course as can be expected surely after all

in general generally on the whole as a rule for the most part in most cases usually Highlighting in particular particularly especially mainly Reformulation in other words rather to put it more simply Expressing an alternative alternatively rather on the other hand the alternative is another possibility would be Contrast instead conversely on the contrary in contrast in comparison Concession (sth unexpected) however even though however much nevertheless still yet

Here are just a few examples of some of the words in action: REINFORCEMENT

Desktop computers are cheaper and more reliable than laptops; furthermore, they are more flexible. RESULT/CONSEQUENCE Prices fell by more than 20% last year. As a result, sales increased by 15%. GENERALISING On the whole, his speech was well received, despite some complaints from new members. CONTRAST The South East of the UK often has the coldest weather in the winter. Conversely, the North West of Scotland frequently has the mildest temperatures. CONCESSION It was a very expensive holiday, the weather was bad and the people werent very friendly. Nevertheless, we would probably go back to the same place. Top of page Transition word exercise Always ask yourself what the exact relationship is between the sentences or parts of sentences. Are you leading to the result of something? Are you making a deduction? Are you introducing some contradictory evidence or ideas? Your choice of word or phrase obviously depends on this. And always check in a good dictionary if you're not quite sure about a word's use or its position in a sentence. Remember that punctuation will affect what you use. Insert the best alternative 1 Polls show that Tony Blair is the most popular Prime Minister this century. ______________ , there are even members of his own party who are uneasy with his approach. In particular However For instance

2 There are some slight variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27C should be expected. consequently otherwise as a rule

3 The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France than to England. for example namely in particular

4 It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ , even fewer trainee nurses are expected to join the profession. As a result So that Likewise

5 Sales of CDs have experienced a small but steady fall over the past 12 months. _____________ , vinyl records have seen an increase in their share of the market, up to 1.7%. Above all Correspondingly In contrast

6 The Vice Chancellor explained that in light of the current financial climate and because of unexpected bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all grades of staff. ______________ , no-one was getting a pay rise. Nevertheless In other words Similarly

7 It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. ______________ the economic problems being experienced in Japan, the outlook is slightly more optimistic. Furthermore In comparison With reference to

8 In order to try to reduce car use in the inner cities, the government has announced new restrictions on company parking spaces and ______________ , a new tax on individual car use. as well as in addition in the same way

9 Essays must be handed in by the deadline, ______________ they will not be marked. obviously otherwise as a result

10 ______________ it has been shown that fractures can occur at even relatively low pressures, the use of the material should not be completely discounted. Nevertheless Because Even though