COHERENCE & TRANSITIONS

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coachfgacho@usc.edu | http://cmgtwriting.uscannenberg.org

Webinar Goals

Identify strategies to create flow and coherence in writing.

Use these strategies to increase flow, coherence and readability in academic writing.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Coherence & Transitions

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

What are they? What’s the difference?

•Coherence: In writing, this generally refers to the entire text’s ability to give the reader a sense of a smooth flow of information (sentences or ideas).

•Transitions: This refers to words or phrases that help establish logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your texts.

Why do we need them?

•Particularly in academic writing, the reader expects the text to build on a central idea that shows consistent relationships between ideas. As a writer, then, you’ll need to make sure that the reader understands why every piece of information you’ve given them is relevant to your thesis or main argument.

Three Key Strategies to Create Coherence

Repeat key words and forms of words.

1Use the old-to-new information flow or pattern.

2Use signal words and transitions strategically.

3

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Strategy 1: Repeat key words and forms of words■ Also called “lexical transitions”■ They provide thematic connections between units.

Research has shown that caffeine reduces sleepiness and can lead to better academic performance. Despite its effectiveness in counteracting sleepiness, caffeine can have a negative impact on subsequent sleep, which for many students may already be compromised. Specifically, caffeinated beverages consumed near bedtime … can prolong sleep onset and reduce sleep efficiency and depth, thus affecting both sleep quality and duration. Most of the research on how caffeine affects sleepiness and alertness has focused on coffee or nodoze pills. However, a new kind of caffeinateddrink has become increasingly popular, namely functional energy drinks.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Strategy 1: Repeat key words and forms of words between paragraphs

[end of previous paragraph] I will therefore provisionally define the aesthetic of this new (and hypothetical) cultural form as an aesthetic of cognitive mapping.

[next paragraph] In a classic work, The Image of the City, Kevin Lynch taught us that the alienated city is above all a space in which people are unable to map (in their minds) either their own positions or the urban totality in which they find themselves.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Student Sample of Strategy 1

In order to better create and implement a successful marketing plan for the restaurant industry, researchers have also examined the increasing impact of social network sites on consumer behavior (Miles 2014; Richards & Tiwari, 2014). In recent years, the use of online media, particularly social networking sites, has produced significant changes in consumer behavior, and restaurateurs have increasingly turned to social media for their marketing strategy (Gunden, 2017). These online platforms such as Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram—whether connecting with peers or unknown users—provide customers with tools that allow them to share their dining experiences and, in turn, have revolutionized the restaurant industry (Richards & Tiwari, 2014; Hosie, 2017). For example, before customers select a place to dine out, they check not only a restaurant’s web page, but also its Instagram, both to ascertain what a certain dish looks like and to ensure that it is aesthetic and “Instagrammable” (Hosie, 2017).

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

QUESTIONS?

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Strategy 2: Use the Old-to-New Information Pattern

■ The old-new information pattern is a method for organizing sentences, paragraphs and papers.

■ This method involves placing old information(information that the reader already has some familiarity with) at the beginning of the sentence (before the verb) and placing new information after the verb.

■ Using this method, the flow of ideas resembles links in a chain.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Strategy #2: Example of the Old-to-New Information Pattern

The Operation of a Nuclear Power Plant

A nuclear power plant (OLD) contains a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fission to produce electricity (NEW). The reactor (OLD) consists of fuel rods alternating with control rods inside a large container called a reactor core (NEW). The fuel rods (OLD) contain radioactive fuel (NEW) and the control rods (OLD) contain neutron-absorbing substances (NEW)…

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Student Sample of Strategy 2

Online platforms are growing in popularity in the corporate communication sector due to the rising demand for companies to engage their stakeholders. European regulators are pushing for more active shareholder engagement to improve corporate governance (Hoffmann & Aeschlimann, 2017). As a consequence of this push, online platforms in IR are gaining momentum in the European market. Unlike social media, these platforms are proprietary, closed and solely for the interaction between a corporation and its shareholders. Through the platform, shareholders can access data, information, converse with the corporation, post in forums, and vote online.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Student Sample of Strategy 2

Online platforms (OLD) are growing in popularity in the corporate communication sector due to the rising demand for companies to engage their stakeholders (NEW). European regulators are pushing for more active shareholder engagement (OLD) to improve corporate governance (Hoffmann & Aeschlimann, 2017) (NEW). As a consequence of this push (OLD), online platforms in IR are gaining momentum in the European market (NEW). Unlike social media, these platforms (OLD) are proprietary, closed and solely for the interaction between a corporation and its shareholders (NEW). Through the platform (OLD), shareholders can access data, information, converse with the corporation, post in forums, and vote online (NEW).

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Is the Old-to-New Pattern Used?Research has shown that caffeine reduces sleepiness and can lead to better academic performance. Despite its effectiveness in counteracting sleepiness, caffeine can have a negative impact on subsequent sleep, which for many students may already be compromised. Specifically, caffeinated beverages consumed near bedtime … can prolong sleep onset and reduce sleep efficiency and depth, thus affecting both sleep quality and duration. Most of the research on how caffeine affects sleepiness and alertness has focused on coffee or nodoze pills. However, a new kind of caffeinated drink has become increasingly popular, namely functional energy drinks.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Is the Old-to-New Pattern Used?Research (OLD) has shown that caffeine reduces sleepiness and can lead to better academic performance (NEW). Despite its effectiveness in counteracting sleepiness, (OLD) caffeine can have a negative impact on subsequent sleep, which for many students may already be compromised (NEW). Specifically, caffeinated beverages consumed near bedtime … can prolong sleep onset and reduce sleep efficiency and depth, (OLD) thus affecting both sleep quality and duration (NEW). Most of the research on how caffeine affects sleepiness and alertness (OLD) has focused on coffee or nodoze pills (NEW). However, a new kind of caffeinated drink (OLD) has become increasingly popular, namely functional energy drinks. (NEW)

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Which Version is Easier to Read? Why? Version One Some astonishing questions about the nature of the universe have been raised by scientists exploring the nature of black holes in space. The collapse of a dead star into a point perhaps no larger than a marble creates a black hole.

Version Two Some astonishing questions about the nature of the universe have been raised by scientists exploring the nature of black holes in space. A black hole is created by the collapse of a dead star into a point perhaps no larger than a marble.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Two Options for Old-to-New Structure

Old information comes from the previous

sentenceBioremediation refers to the use of microorganisms to remove contaminants from the environment. This process is widely considered as an effective remediation technology …

Old information comes from the topic sentence

The literature on compensation is based on three theories: reinforcement theory, expectancy theory and equity theory. Reinforcement theory (Skinner, 1938) suggests that individuals perform well if they receive an award today. Expectancy theory (Vroom, 1964) states that individuals perform well today if they are expecting a future reward. Equity theory …

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

QUESTIONS?

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Strategy 3: Use Signal Words and Transitions

Strategically

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Transitions aim to move the reader between units of argument.

They happen at every level of text: inside paragraphs and sentences, as well as between paragraphs and sections in any larger unit.

Transitions, therefore, are pieces of text (including punctuation) that communicate relationships between units.

Use transitions to indicate continuity

■ Time sequence

■ Place/location

■ Addition

■ Emphasis

■ Concession to another point

■ Return to a point

■ Give an example

■ Provide a reason

■ Contrast

■ Conclusion

For a quick list, visit University of Wisconsin-Madison’s The Writer’s Handbook “Using Transitions” page: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html

Transitions

■ Most transition words communicate quite clearly the relationship between what’s coming and what came before

– Extend, same level: similarly, likewise, moreover– Extend, summative: then, thus, therefore, accordingly– Exemplify/explain: for instance, because, that is why– Contradict: but, however, that said, while– Restatement: in other words, that is, in short– Conclude: given these claims, finally, ultimately, so– Temporal/narrative: after, meanwhile, eventually– Deictic/Logical: here, now, then, at this time

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

A Series of Paragraph Openers from Manuel G. Velasquez’s Business Ethics (2011)1. How well does a free monopoly market succeed in achieving the

moral values that characterize competitive free markets? Not well.

2. The most obvious failure of monopoly markets lies in the high prices.

3. A monopoly market also results in a decline in the efficiency with which it allocates and distributes goods.

4. First, the monopoly allows resources to be used in ways that will produce shortages…

5. Second, monopoly markets do not encourage suppliers…6. Third, a monopoly market allows the seller to introduce price

differentials…7. Monopoly markets also embody restrictions…8. A monopoly market, then, is the one that deviates from the

ideals of capitalist justice…

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

From The HBR Guide to Better Business Writing by Bryan A. Garner (2012).

Signal Phrases & Signposting

Signposting helps readers locate parts of the text.■ Summary reminder phrases tell your reader you’re about to

summarize something from a source– The author claims that…– Stolitz (2012) argues…■ Evidence markers such as “for example,” or “in the case of…”

signals to your reader that you will introduce evidence.■ Subheadings are great opportunities to establish transitions or

continuity.– Be consistent. Follow parallel structures.– Some genres of writing work well with subheadings; others do

not.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Conjunctions

■ Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): connect ideas of equal structure or function

■ Correlative conjunctions (either…or, neither … nor, not only …but also): connect equal elements

■ Subordinating conjunctions (if, when, where, because, although, since, whether, while, in order to): introduce a dependent clause that is usually attached to an independent clause and signal the relationship between the clauses.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Examples of SignpostingIn order to better create and implement a successful marketing plan for the restaurant industry, researchers have also examined the increasing impact of social network sites on consumer behavior (Miles 2014; Richards & Tiwari, 2014). In recent years, the use of online media, particularly social networking sites, has produced significant changes in consumer behavior, andrestaurateurs have increasingly turned to social media for their marketing strategy (Gunden, 2017). These online platforms such as Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram—whether connecting with peers or unknown users—provide customers with tools that allow them to share their dining experiences and, in turn, have revolutionized the restaurant industry (Richards & Tiwari, 2014; Hosie, 2017). For example, before customers select a place to dine out, they check not only a restaurant’s web page, but also its Instagram, both to ascertain what a certain dish looks like and to ensure that it is aesthetic and “Instagrammable” (Hosie, 2017).

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Combine Signal Words with the Old-to-New Pattern■ For this reason … ■ For (all) these reasons …

■ As a result of this/these + noun … (As a result of this ruling …)

■ Because of this/these + noun ... (Because of these recent developments)

■ Due to this/these + noun … (Due to this change)

■ Despite/in spite of this/these + noun (Despite this upward trend in the average income of Canadians, …)

■ Rather than/instead of + noun/gerund … (Rather than allowing water to escape from the posterior valves, Minelli’s model … )

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Practice:Use a signal word or phrase with “this/these + noun”

✗ The eye is ideally suited for laser surgery because most of the eye tissue is transparent. The frequency and focus of the beam can be adjusted according to the absorption of the tissue.

✓ The eye is ideally suited for laser surgery since most of the eye tissue is transparent. Because of this transparency, the frequency and focus of the beam can be adjusted according to the absorption of the tissue

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

Additional Strategies: Achieving Coherence■ Use pronouns to link sentences.

– Link or connect sentences by referring to preceding nouns and pronouns. They also help eliminate wordiness and repetition.■ Mr. Thompson agreed to meet with the members of the

worker’s union before he signed the contract. He was interested in hearing their concerns about the new insurance plan.

■ Use synonyms to link ideas and create variety.*– Provide alternative word choices

■ Teenagers face an enormous amount of peer pressure from friends and schoolmates. As a result, many of these young individuals are exhibiting signs of severe stress at an early age.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

* Use appropriate synonyms. Always check the connotative meaning of synonyms. From “Coherence” by Southeastern Writing Center (July 2011).

Additional Strategies

■ Use Parallel Structure– Parallelism refers to the use of matching words, phrases,

clauses, or sentence structures to express similar ideas.■ Usually, the children spend the summer weekends

playing ball in the park, swimming in the neighbor’s pool, eating ice cream under the tree, or camping in the backyard.

■ At the museum, the class attended a lecture where the speaker demonstrated how the Native Americans made bows and arrows. They also attended a workshop where a sword smith demonstrated how the Vikings crafted swords.

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

From “Coherence” by Southeastern Writing Center (July 2011).

Sample Introduction Activity

■ Read the sample introduction (4 pages, double-spaced) handout and highlight/underline/mark where you see transitions, signal phrases, and conjunctions as well as other coherence “moves” in the text.

■ How do these rhetorical moves affect your understanding of how the different parts (or ideas) in the introduction are related to each other?

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

References

Bailey, S. (2015). Academic Writing for International Graduate Students. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.Garner, B. A. (2012). HBR Guide to Better Business Writing. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press.

Hunter College Writing Center. Using Conjunctions. http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/repository/files/grammar-and-mechanics/sentence-structure/using-conjunctions.pdf

McWhinney, H. (2017). “Weaving Ideas Together: Flow and Coherence in Your Writing.” University of Saskatchewan Graduate Writing Help. http://library.usask.ca/studentlearning

Southeastern Writing Center. (2011). “Coherence.” https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/writing_center/handouts/pdf_handouts/coherence.pdf

Swales, J.M. & Feak, C.B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students. 3rd ed. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.

University of Wisconsin-Madison. (2017). “Using Transitions.” The Writer’s Handbook. http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coach, fgacho@usc.edu

COHERENCE & TRANSITIONS

Francesca Gacho, Graduate Writing Coachfgacho@usc.edu | http://cmgtwriting.uscannenberg.org