COHERENCE, USE OF TRANSITIONS

            Coherence literally means “sticking together.”  When applied to writing, it refers to how well the writing “sticks together,” how well it “flows” from one idea to the next.  Writing that is coherent is easy to read; each idea flows logically into the next one.  The reader doesn’t have trouble following the argument or having to back up and reread a passage to figure out what it means.

            For example, look at the following paragraphs and notice how the second one is more effective because of its use of transitional devices.

Paragraph 1:  I have several good reasons for not going to work today.  I was stung several times in the foot by bees while I was walking in my yard last night.  I cannot get my shoe on.  My son is staying home from school.  He has a bad cold.  The computer is being repaired at work.  I won’t be able to get much done anyway.

Paragraph 2:  I have several good reasons for not going to work.  First, I was stung several times in the foot by bees while I was walking in my yard last night.  As a result, I cannot get my shoe on.  Secondly, my son is staying home from school because he has a bad cold.  Finally, the computer is being repaired at work, so I won’t be able to get much done anyhow.

COMMON TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS

Words to express addition:

Cause and effect transitions

Contrast

Example

for example

for instance

to illustrate

as an example

Time

Spatial transitions