Academic writing · Study
coherent
clear and connected
Writing is coherent when its ideas connect clearly and make sense as a whole.
This vs that
The argument is coherent.
The argument is confused.
Hear it in real life
What did the tutor say about my draft?
She said the argument was coherent but needed more evidence.
The essay contains some strong ideas, but the conclusion isn't coherent.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
The native version uses the common adjective directly and sounds like normal feedback.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: My essay is coherence, but the grammar is bad.
Say: My essay is coherent, but the grammar is bad.
Use the adjective 'coherent' after 'is'.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
a coherent argument
The report presents a coherent argument from beginning to end.
She developed a coherent argument instead of listing unrelated points.
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about academic writing.
this suggests that ___
This suggests that the policy needs reviewing.
Academic writing words
Study · Academic writing: the words around “coherent”.
More connectionsSame word, different world · More academic writing words8
Same word, different world
More academic writing words
Your turn: say it out loud
The argument is coherent and easy to follow.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
coherent
clear and connected
“The essay contains some strong ideas, but the conclusion isn't coherent.”
heytardy