Coherence and Cohesion

What is Coherence?

Coherence in writing refers to whether your text is comprehensible to the reader. It means that your text can be understood by the reader, so good grammatical structure is important. When your writing is coherent, each sentence is clear, making your argument easy to understand.

Imagine reading an email from a colleague containing sentences without any clear structure. It would be confusing and frustrating, right? Coherent writing prevents this by ensuring that each sentence makes sense, and each paragraph begins and ends logically and clearly. To achieve coherence, you should:

• Think about your sentence structure. How easy is it to understand what you want to say in that sentence. 
• Think about the idea in your paragraph, by using a clear topic sentence. The paragraph is a unit that should contain one idea. Is that idea clearly stated in a topic sentence at the start of the paragraph? 
• What kind of language are you using? Are you using the correct language for your audience and are you using the correct vocabulary and expressions specific to your subject? 

• Importantly, you should think about your audience. Who are they and do they get what you are saying? Are there any cultural references or issues which might cause misunderstanding to your target reader?
• You need to think about grammar, vocabulary and phrases, and the tone and register of your message. Register is formality, informality or a mixture of the two, and in business writing, this would be more formal than informal. Tone could be friendly or affirmative for instance, so make sure to address the reader in an appropriate manner. Essentially, your reader should never have to struggle to understand.

10 Essential Points About Coherence

1. Clear Purpose and Focus: Every paragraph should contribute directly to the overall purpose of the document, avoiding unnecessary digressions.
2. Logical Flow of Ideas: Ensure that your ideas follow a logical sequence, making it easy for readers to follow the progression of your argument or explanation.
3. Correct Genre Conventions:   Whatever you are writing, whether it be an e-mail, report or proposal, you need to follow the conventions of that piece of writing. Beginning a report with 'Dear Sir' would be an example of mixing up genres. 
4. Topic Sentences: Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph, explaining and guiding the reader through your argument.
5. Consistent Point of View: Maintain a consistent point of view throughout your text to avoid confusing the reader.
6. Appropriate Structure: Follow a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring that each part supports the others.
7. Thematic Unity: Stick to a central theme or topic within each paragraph and throughout the document. This leads to less confusion for the reader and leaves them in no doubt as to your message
8. Relevance of Information: Only include information that is directly relevant to your main points, ensuring all content serves a purpose.
   
9. Consistent Tone and Style: Maintain a consistent tone and style appropriate to the context, which helps to keep the writing unified.
10. Reader-Centric Approach: Always keep the reader in mind, ensuring that your ideas are easy to follow and your arguments are clear.

What is Cohesion?

Cohesion refers to the logical flow of ideas and how different parts of your text fit together. It’s about the connections between sentences and paragraphs, ensuring that your writing is not just a collection of random statements but is presented as a unified whole.

Cohesion is achieved through the use of linking words and phrases, pronouns, and repetition of key terms. These are grouped into paragraphs, generally with one single idea per paragraph, and that the paragraphs follow a logical order. Here are some tips for creating cohesive and well-ordered pieces of writing:

• Plan your writing: Before you start writing, outline your main points and the order in which you will discuss them. This helps you maintain a logical flow.
• Use clear topic sentences to signpost your information: Each paragraph should start with a sentence that summarizes the main idea of that paragraph. This guides the reader and sets the stage for the details that follow.
• Stick to one idea per paragraph: Avoid mixing multiple ideas in a single paragraph. This can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of your writing.
• Use linking words: Words like "however," "therefore," "in addition," and "for example" help connect your ideas and show the relationship between them.
• Refer back to previous ideas: Use pronouns (he, she, it, they) and synonyms to refer back to previously mentioned concepts, which helps the reader follow your argument.
• Repetition of key terms: Repeating important words or phrases can reinforce your message and help tie your ideas together. Leave the reader in no doubt. 

10 Essential Points About Cohesion

1. Logically-connected and well-organised ideas: A cohesive text needs to follow a sequence for ideas to be presented logically. Grammatical and discursive elements such as linkers are required to acheive this.
2. Use of Transition Words: Employ transition words and phrases (e.g., however, therefore, in addition) to link ideas between sentences and paragraphs.
3. Pronoun Reference: Use pronouns (e.g., this, these, it) to refer back to previously mentioned ideas, avoiding unnecessary repetition.
4. Consistent Use of Terms: Avoid using too many synonyms for the same concept; consistency in terminology aids clarity.
5. Parallel Structures: Use parallelism in sentences to create balance and rhythm, which helps to link ideas more effectively.
6. Repetition for Emphasis: Strategically repeat key words or phrases to reinforce important ideas and create links between sentences.
7. Use of Conjunctions: Connect clauses within sentences using conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or) to ensure sentences are well-linked.
8. Smooth Transitions Between Sections: Transition smoothly between sections and paragraphs, making sure that each one leads naturally to the next.
9. Referential Links: Create referential links by using nouns or noun phrases that clearly refer to earlier parts of the text. This is a form of back referencing.
10. Lexical Cohesion: Use related words or phrases to connect ideas, such as synonyms, antonyms, and words from the same semantic field.