WRITING COHERENTLY
By: Ridwan Sa'at
What is coherence in writing?
Coherence is one of requirement of a good writing. It refers to the smoothness of your writing from the beginning to the end; in other words, all ideas are linked logically.
To make our writing coherent, what should we do? First thing first is knowing the coherence devices. What are the coherence devices and what are their functions? Here are seven coherence device that help your writing coherent.
1. Pronouns
Pronouns refer to the word names. It is used to replace the word names. Using pronouns prevents your writing from being repetitive. Some of the pronouns are he, she, it, they, we, his, mine etc. See the following example of the use of pronoun that helps your writing coherent.
Mike is from the Netherlands. Mike studied at Oxford University. Mike lives now in New York. (the word Mike is repetitive, so this is not coherent)
Mike is from the Netherlands. He studied at Oxford University. He lives now in New York (this use of pronoun helps readers to see the ideas more clearly)
2. Appositive
An appositive is a noun phrase. Examples of appositives are: a man from Tokyo, a book about splendid journey, a system applied in production department, etc. The function of an appositive serves as a modifier. It modifies a noun. Here is an example.
Example: John, a student of Oxford Business School, is now working for Petronas.
Explanation: A student of Oxford Business School is an appositive and it gives further information about the noun John.
3. This/These + summary word
Other form of modifier to give more information about a noun in our writing is using This/These + summary word. This is used when the summary word is singular and These is used when the summary word is plural. So basically it summarizes the information presented the previous sentence or sentences. Have a look at this example.
4. Coordinating conjunction
The next device we need to know is coordinating conjunction. The word we use to connect two independent sentences. Some of the coordinating conjunction are and, but, so, or, yet, nor, for. Study the following example.
5. Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunction also serves a connector. However, their function is connecting one independent sentence and a dependent sentence/clause. This often appears when an adverb clause is joined together with an independent sentence. Observe the following example.
5. Relative Pronoun
Relative pronoun is an adjective modifier. It connects one independent sentence and an adjective clause. See the following example.
6. Sentence Linker
Sentence linker is basically an adverb that tells what comes next following an idea in a sentence. If you want to present more ideas you could use in addition, also, too, moreover. If you want present an opposite idea, you can use in contrast, however, etc. Study the following example..
Something we need to note here is that when connecting using a sentence linker, pay attention to the punctuation. Here a semicolon (;) is used.
Sentence linker adverbs that describe contrast; however, in contrast, however, are useful when writing a response to the writing task 1 that requires you to write a report based on the visual presented in the question.
What is coherence in writing?
Coherence is one of requirement of a good writing. It refers to the smoothness of your writing from the beginning to the end; in other words, all ideas are linked logically.
To make our writing coherent, what should we do? First thing first is knowing the coherence devices. What are the coherence devices and what are their functions? Here are seven coherence device that help your writing coherent.
1. Pronouns
Pronouns refer to the word names. It is used to replace the word names. Using pronouns prevents your writing from being repetitive. Some of the pronouns are he, she, it, they, we, his, mine etc. See the following example of the use of pronoun that helps your writing coherent.
Mike is from the Netherlands. Mike studied at Oxford University. Mike lives now in New York. (the word Mike is repetitive, so this is not coherent)
Mike is from the Netherlands. He studied at Oxford University. He lives now in New York (this use of pronoun helps readers to see the ideas more clearly)
2. Appositive
An appositive is a noun phrase. Examples of appositives are: a man from Tokyo, a book about splendid journey, a system applied in production department, etc. The function of an appositive serves as a modifier. It modifies a noun. Here is an example.
Example: John, a student of Oxford Business School, is now working for Petronas.
Explanation: A student of Oxford Business School is an appositive and it gives further information about the noun John.
3. This/These + summary word
Other form of modifier to give more information about a noun in our writing is using This/These + summary word. This is used when the summary word is singular and These is used when the summary word is plural. So basically it summarizes the information presented the previous sentence or sentences. Have a look at this example.
- The population inn urban areas has grown particularly quickly
- The population growth in urban areas has put pressure on local services.
4. Coordinating conjunction
The next device we need to know is coordinating conjunction. The word we use to connect two independent sentences. Some of the coordinating conjunction are and, but, so, or, yet, nor, for. Study the following example.
- There are more job opportunities in cities.
- People migrate to cities from rural areas.
5. Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunction also serves a connector. However, their function is connecting one independent sentence and a dependent sentence/clause. This often appears when an adverb clause is joined together with an independent sentence. Observe the following example.
- Because couples are under pressure to work.
- Couples often delay starting a family.
5. Relative Pronoun
Relative pronoun is an adjective modifier. It connects one independent sentence and an adjective clause. See the following example.
- Lower mortality is due to increased longevity.
- Increased longevity results from improved health care.
6. Sentence Linker
Sentence linker is basically an adverb that tells what comes next following an idea in a sentence. If you want to present more ideas you could use in addition, also, too, moreover. If you want present an opposite idea, you can use in contrast, however, etc. Study the following example..
- People want to enjoy retirement.
- People do not always save enough for a comfortable retirement.
Something we need to note here is that when connecting using a sentence linker, pay attention to the punctuation. Here a semicolon (;) is used.
Sentence linker adverbs that describe contrast; however, in contrast, however, are useful when writing a response to the writing task 1 that requires you to write a report based on the visual presented in the question.
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