Have you ever started reading something—a report, a proposal, a research study—and found yourself rereading the same paragraph over and over again, unsure of what the point even was?
It’s not that the words were unfamiliar. It’s not even that the sentences were grammatically incorrect.
Rather, it’s something deeper—something almost invisible—at the level of structure and logic.
That subtle “something” is coherence… and according to writing experts Joseph Bizup and Joseph M. Williams, coherence isn’t just a nice-to-have for polished prose; it’s a MUST for clarity, impact, and understanding.
In their acclaimed guide, “Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace,” Bizup and Williams reveal that even the most grammatically correct sentences can feel confusing if readers can’t make two critical connections: WHY each sentence is relevant and HOW the whole piece is organized.
Let’s unpack these two coherence essentials and explore how you can master them.
Relevance: Why Should I Care About That Sentence?
Imagine reading a paragraph about sixth graders learning to distinguish facts from opinions…
The first few lines report their progress. Then suddenly, you’re reading about their spelling errors and essay length.
You find yourself wondering, “Wait, how is this connected?”
Bizup and Williams would say this is a textbook case of lost relevance.
Even though every sentence might be “true,” readers need more than just information—they need connections.
If a piece of writing fails to show how each sentence supports the main point, it begins to unravel.
The result?
Frustration, confusion, and likely abandonment of the page altogether.
So, how do you fix this?
Bizup and Williams identify six common ways a sentence can be relevant to the main point:
- Background or context
- A clear statement of a section’s or the whole piece’s point
- Reasons that support that point
- Evidence or data that support the reasons
- Explanation of methods or reasoning
- Consideration of opposing or alternative views
If a sentence doesn’t fall into one of these categories or if it does but the connection isn’t obvious to the reader, it risks derailing the clarity of your work.
Besides, relevance isn’t just about including the right facts but also about positioning them to support your point.
Now, once you’ve ensured each part is relevant, you face your next coherence challenge: Structure.
Readers don’t just want the right content; they want it in an order that makes sense.
… and no, your brainstorming process isn’t always the right blueprint. As Bizup and Williams caution:
“Most readers aren’t interested in how you thought through an issue; they want to see the results of your having done it.”
That means you need to choose an organizing principle. According to the authors, there are three foundational types:
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Chronological Order
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Coordinate Order
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Logical Order
This is the most familiar structure: From beginning to end, past to present, cause to effect.
This is great for narratives, case studies, and progressions over time. Signal words like first, then, next, and as a result help guide the reader.
This involves parallel points supporting a larger claim—like three reasons why a program succeeded.
The sequence isn’t dictated by time, but by logic: importance, frequency, or impact.
Transitional phrases like first, second, and more importantly become essential here.
The key is that these sections should feel like equally weighted “pillars” under the same roof.
This one’s trickier but powerful: Organizing by argument and counterargument, generalization and example, or problem and solution.
Think of essays, persuasive reports, and analytical writing. Phrases like for example, it follows that, on the other hand, and therefore are the signposts here.
In this order, Bizup and Williams urge writers not to fall into the default trap of simply recounting their thought process.
Instead, they challenge writers to reverse-engineer their writing:
“What structure serves the reader best?”
A Simple Rule of Thumb
While there’s no universal formula for relevance and order, the Bizup and Williams leave us with a golden rule. After writing your draft, ask yourself:
“Can my reader clearly see why each sentence is here and how this whole piece is built?”
If the answer is fuzzy, that means it’s time to revise.
—
You see, in an age flooded with content, attention spans are shrinking but expectations for clarity are soaring.
Whether you’re a student, manager, researcher, or business owner, your ability to make your writing make sense can make the difference between being understood and being ignored.
… and in today’s topic, Bizup and Williams don’t offer gimmicks or shortcuts!
Instead, they provide something far more valuable: Timeless strategies to make writing work the way it’s supposed to.
When readers can see both relevance and structure, the result is a kind of reading magic—what once felt dense or dull suddenly becomes accessible, engaging, and even elegant.
In short, coherence isn’t just about connecting ideas; it’s also about connecting with people.
… and honestly, that’s a skill worth mastering.
Consider these tips in your next writing session!
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Wednesdays: Write with the Pen of the Masters”
Who doesn’t find content writing to be a skill that requires a lot of practice and effort?
In fact, many people may even find copywriting very intimidating.
However, you can be a good writer as long as you have the right tools. You won’t always get things right the first time, but with enough time and practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
When you write copy for any brand or for your company, your aim is to make an impact and…
… to get people to remember.
Getting people to remember means getting consumers to buy your product or avail of your service.
… and when you get your content to deliver the results you want, THAT is great copy!
Every Wednesday, we publish content based on tips and insights from the masters of content writing, copywriting, and storytelling.
Become more familiar with ways to write great copy that helps you gain ROI from your efforts, drive profitability, and achieve your business goals.
Learn time-tested tactics that better capture the attention of your target audience, and maximize the benefits of great copywriting.
Hope you find this week’s insights interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s “Write with the Pen of the Masters!”
Cheers,
Dyane Diasanta
Senior Content Writer
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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