Coherence

When sentences, ideas, and details fit together clearly, readers can
follow along easily, and the writing is coherent. The ideas tie together
smoothly and clearly. To establish the links that readers need, you can
use the methods listed here. Note that good writers use a combination of
these methods. Do not rely on and overuse any single method –
especially transitional words.

Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase

This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track.

Example:
The problem with contemporary art is that it is not
easily understood by most people. Contemporary art is
deliberately abstract, and that means it leaves the viewer
wondering what she is looking at.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning, and they
provide some variety in your word choices, helping the reader to stay
focused on the idea being discussed.

Example:
Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred
origins. These traditional narratives are, in short, a set
of beliefs that are a very real force in the lives of the
people who tell them.

Pronouns

This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful pronouns for
referring back to something previously mentioned. Be sure, however, that
what you are referring to is clear.

Example:
When scientific experiments do not work out as
expected, they are often considered failures until some
other scientist tries them again. Those that work out
better the second time around are the ones that promise
the most rewards.
Transitional Words

There are many words in English that cue our readers to relationships
between sentences, joining sentences together. See below for a table of
transitional words. There you'll find lists of words such as however,
therefore, in addition, also, but, moreover, etc.

Example:
I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of the year,
too. The leaves turn bright shades of red and the
weather is mild, but I can't help thinking ahead to the
winter and the ice storms that will surely blow through
here. In addition, that will be the season of chapped
faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days
when I'll have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's
windshield.

Note that transitional words have meaning and are not

just used at beginnings of sentences. They can also be
used to show relationships between different parts of the
same sentence. As mentioned above they cue readers
to relationships between sentences/clauses. If you use
the wrong transitional word then you confuse your
reader. It would be better if you didn’t use any
transitional word rather than the wrong one. Furthermore
you do not need a transitional word at the beginning of
each sentence. Good writers rarely use them as they
achieve coherence by using other techniques. Many
students overuse transitional words. Your instructor will
guide you as to what problems you may have with
transitions.

Sentence Patterns

Sometimes, repeated or parallel sentence patterns can help the reader

follow along and keep ideas tied together.

Example: (from a speech by President John F. Kennedy)

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country

can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

Much of the above information was obtained from Purdue University. Details below.
This page is located at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_cohere.html
Copyright ©1995-2002 by OWL at Purdue University and Purdue University. All rights reserved.

Transitional Words
Addition
again equally in fact
also further(more) moreover
and in addition (to...) too
and then indeed what is more
besides next finally
Comparison
compared with similarly again
in comparison with likewise also
in the same
way/manner
Contrast
besides naturally still
but nevertheless whereas
however of course while
in contrast on the contrary yet
instead on the other hand although
conversely regardless despite
it may be the case granted it is true that
that like notwithstanding
certainly different from
also Alternatively
likewise
Enumeration
first(ly) secondly etc. last on top of (that)
finally to (begin) with next
in the (first) place more important then
Concession
although it is true granted that of course
that naturally it may be the case
it may appear it is true that that
regardless I admit that
certainly
Exemplification
as (evidence of...) such as
for example to show what (I mean)
for instance specifically
thus let us (take the case of...)
to illustrate

Inference
if not, ... otherwise then
in (that) case that implies
Summary/Conclusion
in all in short on the whole
in brief in conclusion to sum up
to summarise therefore basically
in summary In a nutshell
Time and Sequence
after (a while) before (that time) since (then)
afterwards finally so far
at first in the end then
at last meanwhile (up to) (then)
at (the same time) next later
while immediately somewhat earlier
first , second, third... next shortly
thereafter firstly , secondly, over the next (2
concurrently thirdly... days)
soon in the future as long as
as soon as subsequently last
at that time
Result
accordingly for that reason then
as a result hence therefore
consequently thus the
since if...then... ( consequence )
as ...result(s) in ... of that is...
a consequence of... contribute to ...is due to...
caused In consequence brought about
accordingly by/because...
lead to...

Reformulation
in other words that is (to say)
rather to put it more (simply)
Briefly basically
put simply
Replacement
 again (better) still the alternative is...
alternatively on the other hand
Transition
as far as ... is now with regard to...
concerned to turn to... Concerning...
as for ... with ( reference) to
incidentally
Place/Position
above adjacent below
beyond here in front
in the back near there
nearby there closer to
elsewhere far farther on
opposite to to the left to the right
behind
Miscellaneous - Adverbs may be used at the beginning of
sentences to show how the sentence which follows relates to the rest of
the text. Many of them reveal the writers attitude to the idea they are
expressing and so can be used as an important tool in evaluative writing.

Admittedly Fundamentally Paradoxically

All things Generally speaking Potentially
considered Interestingly Predictably
As a general rule Ironically Presumably
As far as we know In essence Primarily
Astonishingly In general Probably
Broadly In particular Remarkably
By and large In practice Seemingly
Characteristically In reality Significantly
Clearly In Surprisingly
Coincidentally retrospect/hindsight Theoretically
Conveniently In theory To all intents and
Curiously In view of this purposes
Disappointingly More interestingly Typically
Equally More seriously Ultimately
Essentially More specifically Understandably
Explicitly Naturally Undoubtedly
Even so On balance Unfortunately
Eventually Obviously With hindsight
Fortunately On reflection
Overall

Quelle: David O’Regan, Koc University.