Coherence can have different meanings depending on the context. In linguistics, coherence refers to what makes a text semantically meaningful and is achieved through syntactical features such as the use of deictic, anaphoric and cataphoric elements or a logical tense structure, as well as presuppositions and implications connected to general world knowledge). In general, coherence refers to the quality or state of cohering, which can mean:
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Logical connection or consistency: The situation when the parts of something fit together in a natural or reasonable way. For example, an essay that lacks coherence jumps from idea to idea with no clear transitions or consistency.
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Integration of diverse elements: The combination of diverse elements, relationships, or values into a unified whole.
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Congruity: The quality of being logically integrated, consistent, and intelligible.
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Continuity of senses: The mutual access and relevance within a configuration of concepts and relations, creating a textual world that does not have to comply with the real world).
In summary, coherence refers to the quality of being logically connected, consistent, and intelligible, whether in a text, an argument, or a system of ideas.