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How to Write Academic English

Skills for Success / Academic Skills / How to Write Academic English

Coherence and Cohesion

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It is important to make your academic writing easy to follow and understand. There are two ways to think about this, the micro level and the macro level. These two have specific technical terms, which are:

  • Coherence, for the macro level - the overall organisation, your argument
  • Cohesion, for the micro level - the links between words and sentences

Here are some tips for achieving coherence and cohesion in your writing:

  • Logical Flow: Arrange your ideas in a logical order. Each paragraph should build on the previous one, leading the reader through your argument in a clear and step-by-step way.
  • Clear Structure: Use clear and consistent structures for your paragraphs. Start with an introduction, followed by the main body, and conclude with a summary or conclusion. Within paragraphs, use topic sentences to introduce the main idea, and supporting sentences to give evidence for it and to develop it.
  • Transition Words and Phrases: Use transition words and phrases to link sentences and paragraphs. Words like “however,” “therefore,” “moreover,” and “in addition” help to show the relationship between ideas and guide the reader through your text.
  • Repetition of Key Terms: Repeating key terms and phrases can help to reinforce important concepts and maintain focus. However, avoid overusing the same words; instead, use synonyms where appropriate to keep your writing varied. For example
    "The Earth orbits around the Sun. This rotation lasts 365 days."
  • Pronouns and Substitution: Use pronouns and other substitution methods to avoid repetition and create links between sentences. For example, instead of repeating a noun, you can use a pronoun like “it” or “this.”
  • Consistent Point of View: Maintain a consistent point of view throughout your writing. Switching between first, second, and third person can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of your text.
  • Signposting: Use signposting to guide the reader through your argument. This includes phrases like “firstly,” “in conclusion,” and “on the other hand,” which help to indicate the structure and direction of your writing.

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