English
Guidelines for Maintaining Unity, Coherence, and Tone

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As you write your paragraphs, keep in mind that you want to make it as easy as possible for your readers to follow you through your document.  Unity, coherence, and tone can make the difference between a paper that confuses or annoys your reader and one that enlightens and pleases them.

1. Unity means “oneness”; the contents of a paragraph must relate to a single main idea.  All supporting sentences in the paragraph must clearly and directly relate to the topic sentence of that paragraph.  A paragraph is said to be unified when it contains nothing that does not contribute to its main idea. 

2. Coherence means “sticking together.”   The sentences within each paragraph need to stick together, or cohere, as do the paragraphs within an essay.  Coherence is achieved in two ways:
   

   1. Arrange the sentences in each paragraph in an appropriate (to your topic and purpose) organizational order:  chronological, climactic, logical, or (infrequently) random; and

   2. Use transitions or connections between one idea and the next within a paragraph, and between one paragraph and the next within an essay.  Following are some of the most common transitional words and phrases:
      

      To Show Addition

      moreover, furthermore, in addition, additionally, similarly, as well, in the same fashion, besides, likewise
      

      To Provide an Example/Illustration

      for instance, namely, to illustrate, in summary, for example, that is, specifically
      

      To Compare (show similarity)

      similarly, respectively, in the same way, likewise, just as . . . so too
      

      To Contrast (show differences/distinctions)

      on the contrary, however, on the other hand, nevertheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, nonetheless
      

      To indicate Sequence/Show Time

      first, second, third, later, next, then, last, firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally, meanwhile, recently, thereafter
      

      To Emphasize a Point

      of course, in fact, indeed
      

      To Indicate Place

      in front, behind, in the distance, nearby, here, there
      

      To Show Cause and Effect

      for these reasons, hence, thus, accordingly, consequently, therefore, as a result, evidently
      

      To Conclude or Summarize

      finally, in conclusion, to conclude, in brief, thus, to summarize, on the whole, as a result, therefore
      

3. Tone is a word to describe a writer’s attitude towards the subject and readers. The words you use, the examples, the quotations, and any other supporting materials you choose to help explain your main points—all these contribute to your tone. Thus, your piece may have a serious tone, persuasive tone, humorous tone, sarcastic tone, angry tone, flippant tone, dramatic tone, and so on, depending on your message, readers, and purpose in writing.