Writing Tips

 

Coherence

 

在一個段落中，如果所有的idea都依據邏輯恰當地連接起來就是coherence。在一段具有coherence的段落中，所有idea的關係必須要很清楚，然後idea與idea之間的關聯也必須有邏輯性。好的coherence可以藉由以下幾點來達成：Transition expressions (連接詞)、logical order (邏輯順序)、pronoun (代名詞) 以及 parallel forms (一致性的詞性變化及詞類變化)。

 

壹、Transition Expressions： Transition expressions (連接詞)帶出句子與句子之間的邏輯連貫。以however為例：I studied so hard on the exam. However, I still failed it. 其中就可以看出however用以連接相反的句子。

Transition expressions 通常也以逗號與其他句子分隔。例如：

I like to read comic books. However, I don't like to read novels. 

I like to read comic books. I don't like to read novels, however. 

Transition expressions 也可以以分號以及逗號來構成compound sentence(對等並列句)。

I fell in love with a girl once; however, she didn't like me at all.

以下是一些常用的transition expressions:

1. 提供例子：for instance, for example, to demonstrate

2. 補充：moreover, furthermore, in addition, what's more

3. 相反：however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast

4. 表示因果：as a result, thus, therefore

5. 強調：indeed, in fact, obviously

 

貳、Logical Order：另外一個完成coherence的方式就是以logical order(邏輯順序)編排文章中的idea，例如依照時間安排或是依據重要性安排。

1. 以時間安排時，可以使用：at the beginning, first of all, then, in the end, finally等字眼。

    例如： At the beginning I went to the store to get some foods. Then, I headed back home to prepare my dinner.

2. 以重要性安排時，你可以從最重要的安排到最不重要的，反之亦然。而你可以使用：the most/least important thing, the next important thing, the last/final thing等字眼。

    例如：The most important thing for me as a college student is to find my future.

 

參、Pronoun：Pronoun (代名詞)同時也是達成coherence的其中一個方法。常見的pronoun (代名詞)則有：I, you, he, she, they, that, this, those, these等。

例如：What is an essay and how to write it?

Pronoun (代名詞)也可以用來取代整句短語。

例如：I lost five hundred dollars on the MRT, I have no idea how I did that.

 

肆、Parallel Forms：Parallel forms (一致性的詞性變化及詞類變化) 也可以用來作為達成coherence的一種方式。

例如：Jerry likes taking photos, creating arts and dancing.

例如：Eric cleaned the house, prepared the food and lit up the candal.