Editing tips to achieve coherent paragraphs

1. Make sure each paragraph has a clear ordering principle, and use words associated with
that principle to create coherence.
2. Use pronouns judiciously to create coherence and make sure each one has a clear
antecedent.
3. Use transitional words and phrases that clearly convey the meaning you intend. Avoid the
temptation to stick them in without considering their meaning.
4. Underline the key words in your topic sentence, and then, look for synonyms for each of
the concepts in the remaining sentences. In a coherent paragraph each sentence should
contain the concept itself, a synonym or a pronoun that refers to the concept.
5. Use repetition judiciously to create coherence, but do use it. A good rule of thumb is to
use no more than two separate terms or phrases per paragraph.