Cohesion and coherence
Make your writing flow: coherence (logical order of ideas) and cohesion (reference, substitution, lexical chains, linkers and given-new order).
In this lesson you will
- Distinguish coherence from cohesion
- Use reference, lexical chains and linkers
- Apply given-before-new information order
Learn
Coherence = the ideas make sense in a logical order. Cohesion = the language links sentences together. A text needs both.
Cohesive devices: reference (this, these, such, the former, it), substitution/ellipsis, lexical chains (car → vehicle → it → this mode of transport), and linkers — but don’t overuse Moreover/Furthermore in every sentence.
Given → new: start a sentence with known information and end with new information: …caused a housing crisis. This crisis* led to protests.* Summary nouns (this problem, this trend, such measures) are powerful.
Paragraph unity: one controlling idea, a clear topic sentence, and every sentence connected to it.
Examples
- Prices have risen sharply. This increase has hit young buyers hardest.
- Governments could tax sugary drinks. Such a measure would…
- Bicycles are cheap and clean. This mode of transport is, however, dangerous on busy roads.
Vocabulary
coherence
logical connection of ideas
cohesion
linguistic links between sentences
lexical chain
related words that link a text
summary noun
a noun summarising the previous idea (this trend)
controlling idea
the main idea of a paragraph
Practice
“This trend” in “Sales fell. This trend continued…” is a…
Speaking
Explain a process (e.g. how a law is made, how coffee is produced) in six connected sentences using summary nouns and reference words.
Writing
Take a paragraph you wrote recently (or write one of 150 words) and revise it for cohesion: add summary nouns, a lexical chain and given-new order. Submit the revised version.
Lesson quiz
Coherence is about…
Review
Key points
- Coherence vs cohesion.
- Reference, substitution, lexical chains, linkers.
- Given → new; summary nouns.
- Paragraph unity.
What you learned
- ✓ My writing flows.
- ✓ I use varied cohesive devices.
- ✓ I apply given-new order.
Grammar reference: Conjunctions and linking words, Sentence structure and word order