Clarity And Grace Chapter 1 Summary

WILLIAMS SUMMARY CHAPTERS 5 AND 9
COHESION, COHERENCE AND CONCISION
Joseph William’s book Style: Lesson’s in Clarity and Grace gives guidance to make sentences and paragraphs flow and read better (Williams p 65, p 123). In chapters 5 and 9, Williams shows how having cohesion, coherence and concision give the reader a smoother and inviting experience.

Cohesion refers to how well a sentence ends as it relates to how the next sentence begins (Williams p 65). Williams says coherency refers to how well an entire passage of sentences begins (p 65). Concision is the art of elimination excess words but not being terse (Williams p 132). Together these work with other Williams tools to improve a writer’s flow.
COHESION
Sentences flow better when the last few words set up the information of the first few words of the next (Williams p 67). Williams believes readers want things they are familiar with or simpler things at the beginning of the sentence saving new ideas and complex things for the end (p 67). In short put old information before new information (Williams p 68). Cohesion is two sentences fitting together like two puzzle pieces (Williams p 69).
Cohesive sentences that fit together poorly are not coherent (Williams p 70). Williams says coherency results from a passage with related sentences, common themes and ideas, and a sentence that summarizes the entire passage (p 70). Readers see coherency when they see the topics of sentences and clauses easily and see the topics connecting into one related concept (Williams p