Levels of Coherence

Importance of Coherence in Writing

You might have the best idea in the world, but what is that idea worth if no one can understand it? Coherence creates understanding, which is why coherence is critical in your writing.

Readers must understand your thesis, arguments, evidence, and conclusion. If you cannot link your ideas together in a readable, logical fashion, you cannot make your point to your reader.

Coherence and Persuasive Ability

If you want to persuade somebody, they should understand your argument from start to finish. If that someone doesn't understand each point along the way, then your argument may not persuade them.

Coherence and Explaining an Idea

If you are trying to explain a topic to somebody, you want them to understand it. Take your thesis, for example. If your thesis is unusual or detailed, you need to explain it well so that the reader can follow along. Otherwise, any time you spend on coming up with your thesis is wasted, because it won't have the desired effect.

Coherence and Showing Your Understanding

Finally, you may want your reader to know that you understand a passage or a problem. The more clear and concise your answer is, the better you demonstrate your level of understanding.

With all that said, what does it take to achieve coherence at all three levels?

Levels of Coherence Types

As you know, there are three levels of coherence. Here is an overview of each level, from the micro to the macro. If you can put together all the pieces, you have what it takes to achieve coherence in your essays and short answers.

Coherence within Sentences

The most micro level of coherence in writing is coherence within sentences.

Coherence within sentences deals with spelling, word use, word efficiency, and punctuation. Mastering these categories will help individual sentences read coherently.

Coherence Between Sentences

The next step up in coherence is coherence between sentences.

Coherence between sentences helps to connect your reader to your argument. To achieve coherence between sentences, you want strong transitions that explain, support, and start new ideas. Additionally, you can use sentence structure and word placement to achieve coherence between sentences.

Coherence within Paragraphs

Finally, the most macro level of coherence in writing is coherence within paragraphs.

For the sake of levels of coherence, the paragraph is the largest chunk of prose writing you must focus on. A body paragraph is a collection of sentences that support your thesis or claim.

Coherence within paragraphs focuses on connecting the claim to your argument and evidence. To write a coherent paragraph, keep your thesis, the total paragraph length, and your outline in mind.

A good paragraph contains evidence that comes from a trustworthy source.

Examples of Levels of Coherence

Interestingly, the best way to arrange the levels of coherence in the writing process is not macro to micro or micro to macro. It's a mixture of the two.

Here is the best order to follow to achieve coherence in your essay or short answer.

1. Coherence within paragraphs

2. Coherence within sentences

3. Coherence between sentences

You start with coherence within a paragraph because this is the outlining phase. It's here you plan out your logic, your argument, and your evidence.

You continue with coherence within a sentence because you begin your paragraph with a single, coherent sentence. Additionally, each sentence you add should be coherent.

Finally, you achieve coherence by mastering coherence between sentences. With the knowledge of your paragraph in one hand and great writing skills in the other, you piece together your paragraph sentence by sentence until you reach the desired result.

Coherence Within a Paragraph Example

The following is an example of achieving coherence using all the levels of coherence. It exemplifies how you grow an idea into a great short answer.

To start your paragraph, you first must consider your claim (or thesis) and your argument. Say this is your claim.

Now you need to create an argument to support this thesis. This argument is the core of your body paragraph. Here's an argument you might use.

Finally, you need to provide at least one piece of evidence to support your argument. Here are three pieces of evidence to support the above argument.

This paragraph will present your argument in a coherent manner that your audience should be able to follow. Now that you understand how your paragraph will be cohesive at the macro level, it's time to start writing an individual paragraph.

Coherence Within a Sentence Example

It's time to take your argument and make it into a great opening sentence.

Here's a great opening sentence that captures the argument of your body paragraph. It obeys all the rules needed for a coherent sentence.

As you build your paragraph or short answer, you will continue to use these four skills to craft coherent sentences.

Coherence between Sentences Example

You need to blend your evidence into your argument now. To do that, use transitions to explain how your evidence supports your argument. You want to be smooth and logical. Don't be too fancy!

To succeed in making their argument, the writer needs to establish the protagonist's "growth." Thus, following the argument with a description of the protagonist early on is logical. By establishing the boy's original attitude, the writer creates a starting point to demonstrate his change over time.

You are almost there in achieving coherence!

Final Product Example

Following the outline, the rules for coherent sentences, and the logic between sentences, here is how a coherent short answer might turn out.

This example is a single-paragraph essay that provides an argument for a claim. Bear in mind, though, that not all paragraphs are like this. Many will be body paragraphs in longer essays, and you can even achieve paragraph coherence in creative stories! This is just one example of coherence within a paragraph. You must apply the rules of coherence to your situation.