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Academic English: COM 107-M11267 COM107-M11335 COM 107-M11278
Academic English: COM 107-M11267 COM107-M11335 COM 107-M11278
English
COM 107-M11267
COM107-M11335
COM 107-M11278
What is Coherence?
– Coherence is achieved when sentences and ideas are connected and flow
together smoothly. An essay without coherence can inhibit a reader’s ability to
understand the ideas and main points of the essay.
– Coherence allows the reader to move smoothly from one bit of supporting
information to next, from one idea to the next, from one sentence to the next,
and from one paragraph to the next.
– There are several methods that can be used to achieve coherence in writing.
Methods To Achieve Coherence In A
Text
Use Repetition to Link Ideas, Sentences, Use Transitional Expressions to Link
and Paragraphs Ideas, Sentences, and Paragraphs
Repeating key words or phrases helps Transitional expressions, such as however, because,
connect and focus idea(s) throughout the therefore, and in addition, are used to establish
relationships between ideas, sentences, and
essay. Repetition also helps the reader paragraphs. They serve as signals to let the reader
remain focused and headed in the right know the previous idea, sentence, or paragraph is
direction. connected to what follows. . Transitional devices are
Example: Most students are intimidated by like signposts that tell the reader what is coming up
ahead and where the discussion is going.
the works of William Shakespeare. They Example: Many students believe they cannot write a good essay
believe Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays because they are not writers. However, as they practice writing and
work on developing their writing skills, most students are able to gain
are too complicated to read and the needed confidence to start thinking of themselves writers.
understand.
Transition Words
Purpose/function Connective words (linking words)
addition and, also, moreover, in addition, furthermore, besides
contrast but, however, in contrast, on the one hand - on the other hand,
the former - the latter, actually, nevertheless, while
Use Pronouns to Link Sentences Use Synonyms to Link Ideas and Create
Pronouns are used to link or connect Variety
sentences by referring to preceding nouns Synonyms are words that have the same or
and pronouns. Pronouns can also help create nearly the same meaning as another word.
paragraphs that are easy to read by They provide alternative word choices that
eliminating wordiness and unnecessary can add variety to an essay and can help
repetition. eliminate unnecessary repetition.
Example: Mr. Thompson agreed to meet Example: Teenagers face an enormous
with members of the worker’s union before amount of peer pressure from friends and
he signed the contract. He was interested in schoolmates. As a result, many young adults
hearing their concerns about the new are exhibiting signs of severe stress or
insurance plan. depression at an early age.
– Use Parallel Structures to Link Ideas, Sentences, and
Paragraphs
Parallelism is the use of matching words, phrases, clauses,
3.And so, my fellow
or sentence structures to express similar ideas. Parallel
structures allow the reader to flow smoothly from one idea,
Americans: ask not what
sentence, or paragraph to the next and to understand the
relationships and connections between ideas. your country can do for
Example:
1.Usually, the children spend the summer weekends
playing ball in park, swimming in the neighbor’s pool,
you--ask what you can do
eating ice cream under the tree, or camping in the
backyard. for your country.
2.At the museum, the class attended a lecture where the
speaker demonstrated how the Native Americans made
bows and arrows. They also attended a lecture where a
sword smith demonstrated how the Vikings crafted swords.
Coherence Between Words