Cohesion and coherence are two important concepts in writing that help to ensure that a text is well-structured and easy to understand. Cohesion refers to how parts of a text are connected together, while coherence refers to the quality of being logical, consistent, and able to be understood. Cohesion is concerned with the micro-level of a text, such as words, phrases, and sentences, and how they are connected to form a whole. Coherence, on the other hand, is related to the macro-level features of a text that enable it to have a sense as a whole.
Examples of cohesive devices that can be used to achieve good cohesion in a text include:
- Repeated words
- Reference words
- Transition signals
- Substitution
- Ellipsis
Examples of lexical links that can create cohesion include repetition, synonymy, antonymy, meronymy, substitutions, and anaphoric or cataphoric relations between words.
However, it is important to note that cohesion alone is not enough to create a coherent text. A text can be internally cohesive but incoherent if it does not make sense. To achieve coherence, writers use grammatical and lexical cohesive techniques so that ideas can flow meaningfully and logically. Examples of techniques that can be used to achieve coherence include:
- Logical ordering of ideas
- Consistent use of verb tense
- Clear and concise sentences
- Use of topic sentences and signposting language
In summary, cohesion and coherence are essential for aiding readability and idea communication in writing. Cohesion refers to how the elements of a text are linked together, while coherence refers to how the ideas of the text flow logically and make a text semantically meaningful. Examples of cohesive devices and techniques that can be used to achieve good cohesion and coherence include repeated words, reference words, transition signals, substitution, ellipsis, logical ordering of ideas, consistent use of verb tense, clear and concise sentences, use of topic sentences, and signposting language.
