1. Narrative Coherence:
* Chronological Order: Events are presented in the order they happened, providing a clear timeline.
* Flashback: The story jumps back in time to reveal past events, often to explain a character's motivation or a plot point.
* Flashforward: The story jumps ahead in time, often to reveal a future event or foreshadowing.
* Non-linear Narrative: The story is presented in a non-chronological order, often using techniques like fragmented memories or multiple perspectives.
2. Character Coherence:
* Consistency: Characters behave and react in a way that is consistent with their personality, motivations, and past experiences.
* Development: Characters undergo believable changes as the story progresses, often due to events or encounters they experience.
* Motivation: Characters have clear and understandable reasons for their actions.
3. Setting Coherence:
* Consistency: The setting remains consistent throughout the story, with details and descriptions that create a believable and immersive environment.
* Impact on Characters: The setting influences characters' actions, relationships, and overall experiences.
* Symbolism: The setting can be used to convey symbolic meaning, enhancing the story's themes and deeper messages.
4. Thematic Coherence:
* Clear Theme: The story explores a central idea or theme that is communicated throughout the narrative.
* Supporting Details: All elements of the story, including characters, plot, and setting, contribute to the development and exploration of the theme.
* Unified Message: The story leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the theme and its implications.
5. Stylistic Coherence:
* Consistent Tone and Voice: The author maintains a consistent tone and voice throughout the story, which contributes to the overall atmosphere and reader experience.
* Appropriate Language: The language used in the story is appropriate to the setting, characters, and theme, creating a consistent and believable world.
* Figurative Language: The author uses figurative language (metaphors, similes, etc.) in a consistent and effective manner, enhancing the story's imagery and impact.
Note: Not all short stories will exhibit all these forms of coherence. However, the effective use of coherence techniques helps to create a compelling and satisfying reading experience for the reader.