A paragraph is coherent if all of its sentences are connected in an easy-to-follow and logical order. An essay is coherent if its paragraphs are connected logically. Two ways to create connections in and between sentences and between paragraphs are by

1. Using transitions.
2. Making reference to material mentioned earlier.

Transitions, also called "connectives," are words, phrases, and sentences that make a clear connection between one idea, one sentence, or one paragraph and another.

My sister began college by enrolling in remedial math courses. She graduated at the top of her class in engineering.

My sister began college by enrolling in remedial math courses. However, she graduated at the top of her class in engineering.

The students rushed into the classroom chattering. After a few minutes, they became silent and began to work.

USING TRANSITIONS TO SHOW SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Jason takes after his grandmother in some ways. Like her, he appreciates fine antiques. However, he doesn't have the money to buy them.

USING TRANSITIONS TO ADD INFORMATION

Phoenix was a natural woman. She lived off the land, growing her own potatoes and collard greens. What'smore, she hunted rabbit and woodchuck.

USING TRANSITIONS TO INTRODUCE INFORMATION THAT CONTRADICTS, CHANGES, OR QUALIFIES WHAT YOU HAVE SAID

The thief claimed he had nothing to do with the break-in. But Columbo knew better!

Rich knows little about computers. Still, he tried his best to help us.

USING TRANSITIONS TO INTRODUCE EXAMPLES, REPEAT INFORMATION, OR EMPHASIZE A POINT

Example:

My father often worked extra jobs to provide for his family. Forexample, he spent many of his days off selling dry goods to pay for my college tuition.

Repetition:

Dad had little time for hobbies. As I mentioned, he worked an extra job to put me through college.

Emphasis:

Hard work was nothing new to Dad. Infact, he had to quit school when he was 16 to get a job in a barber shop.

Back to Top

USING TRANSITIONS TO SHOW CAUSE AND EFFECT

Abe Lincoln had a habit of sitting on the ground, grabbing his legs and rocking back and forth as he told funny stories. Consequently, his trousers got baggy at the knees.

USING TRANSITIONS TO SHOW CONDITION

I had better pay the bill soon. If I don't, the power company will shut off my electricity.

Back to Top

MAINTAIN COHERENCE BY MAKING REFERENCE TO MATERIAL MENTIONED EARLIER

1. Using pronouns to link details and ideas.
2. Restating important details and ideas.

Pronouns point to details mentioned earlier; they direct the reader's attention to nouns called antecedents. Linking pronouns connect ideas and help you avoid repeating nouns. Patricia Irons uses them in this introduction to "Heaven":

Several months ago, my son came home from school with an unusual drawing. What made this picture different from his others was its brilliant array of colors. Ordinarily, Christopher's drawings consist of a fast dash of pencil or marker with the scribble of a single color to fill in the outline. They are unusual, to say the least. But even more amazing, Christopher had been careful with lines and borders. Each was clear and distinct. Obviously, something had intrigued him to sit still longer than his normal 30 seconds; I wanted to know what it was. "What is this?" I asked. He answered matter-of-factly, and suddenly I was listening to a six-year-old lecture me on "heaven," which he discussed slowly, seriously, and confidently.

Here are some personal pronouns you can use to link details and ideas:

you (your, yours)
he, she, it (him/his, her/hers, its)
we (us, our, ours)
they (them, their, theirs)

Relative pronouns describe nouns by connecting them with clauses, groups of words that contain nouns and verbs:

who (whom, whose)
that
which

There are four demonstrative pronouns you can use to link details and ideas. Demonstrative pronouns usually come before or stand for nouns they refer to.

this		these
that		those

Sentences like Those are the best seats in the house or That is my worst subject use demonstrative pronouns.

Indefinite pronouns make general, not specific, reference. Use indefinite pronouns only if you are sure readers can spot their antecedents easily:

Both Sue and Andy were in an accident. Neither was hurt.

[The antecedents of Neither are Sue and Andy.]

MAINTAINING COHERENCE BY RESTATING IMPORTANT DETAILS AND IDEAS

Somepeoplewriteby day, others by night. Some people need silence, others turn on the radio. Somewriteby hand, someby typewriter or word processor, someby talking into a tape recorder. Somepeoplewrite their first draft in one long burst and then revise; others can't write the second paragraph until they have fiddled endlessly with the first.

The dirt road by the cottage leads me almost daily into the bushes. I seem unable to pass the raspberries that hang like bright ornaments, final gifts from branches that have turned brown.

I reach out for one small handful, easing the fragile fruit from its core. And then I am caught, following the crop, migrating from one bush to another, deep again in the middle of the field.

Back to Top