WRITING TIPS
Coherence

Coherence means that all the parts of your paragraph connect to form a whole. For this to happen, you need a clear plan of arrangement, and you need transitions to connect your ideas. The ideas and sentences should be in an order that makes sense to the audience. This is how you get your audience to follow your thinking and reach the impression or conclusion that you want it to reach.

Example

First Draft

This paragraph does not use transitions and is not written in a logical order.

When you take a course you need to organize your time so you will be able to get your assignments in on time. See how much time is available for studying. Make a weekly schedule where you write down everything you do on a regular basis, like eating, housekeeping, shopping, travelling to and from work or school, talking to your friends and family, and relaxing. The key to creating a successful study schedule is a combination of flexibility and discipline. Take a calendar and mark in the dates when assignments are due. Record any dates when you will not be able to get any school work done because of other plans. If you don’t have enough time, you will need to use some of your relaxation time or time with friends in order to successfully complete your course. A good schedule should allow room for unexpected events, but discipline is the key. Follow your schedule as closely as you can. Reschedule, as soon as possible, those things that don’t get done as you have planned.

Revised Draft

This paragraph uses transitions and is written in a logical order.

Time Management

When you take a course you need to organize your time so you will be able to get your assignments in on time. The key to creating a successful study schedule is a combination of flexibility and discipline. First, take a calendar and mark in the dates when assignments are due. Also, record any dates when you will not be able to get any school work done because of other plans. Then, make a weekly schedule where you write down everything you do on a regular basis, like eating, housekeeping, shopping, travelling to and from work or school, talking to your friends and family, and relaxing. You should now be able to see how much time is available for studying. If you don’t have enough time, you will need to use some of your relaxation time or time with friends in order to successfully complete your course.

Follow your schedule as closely as you can and reschedule, as soon as possible, those things that don’t get done as you have planned. A good schedule should allow room for unexpected events, but discipline is the key.