Coherence and Cohesion

There are times when people have a hard time understanding text, or end up writing
confusing texts themselves. Being able to fix these texts and figure out what’s wrong is very
important, which is why we learn about coherence and cohesion. A coherent and cohesive
text must be achieved to avoid giving readers confusion. Which is why we learn about
coherence and cohesion.

Coherence is when a text is clear and understandable, while cohesion is when the
elements of a text are working together and fit well together. Although they tend to be
confused with each other, coherence and cohesion are different. Cohesion focuses on the
unity of a text and coherence focuses more on the clarity.

There are 6 main ways for cohesion to be achieved in a text: Reference, Substitution,
Ellipsis, Lexical Chains, Cohesive Nouns and Conjunction. Starting off with reference;
Reference includes personal pronouns, demonstratives, comparatives and the article “the”.
Being able to know what kind of reference is being used, what the reference is referring to
and where the original referent can be found is a big help to achieving a cohesive text. And
then we have substitution; Substitution refers to the usage of one word item to replace
another one. Substitution is a big help to avoid repetition in an expression, making the
discourse more cohesive. Next in the list is ellipsis; Ellipsis is when one or more words is
omitted from a sentence where they’re unnecessary because they have already been
mentioned and can be understand without these words. Another way for cohesion to be
achieved in a text are lexical chains; Lexical chains talk about words that are related to
another being used in a writing, this helps achieve cohesion because using words under the
same category helps show unity in the text. Another one are cohesive nouns; Cohesive
nouns are a kind of lexical reference, they can summarize many words, can signal what is to
come and can refer back. These are very helpful for proper sequencing hence making the
text more cohesive. Last but not the least are conjunctions; As we all know, conjunctions are
words that join together other words or groups of words and shows the connection of all
the elements in the text which helps achieve a cohesive text.
 To achieve a coherent text, we have to: 1. Clarify the meaning. Clarifying the
meaning of the text will result to a more coherent text simply because with a clearer
meaning the text becomes more coherent. 2. Indicate a change of topic. To achieve a
coherent text, indicating a change of topic is very important so that the transition between
topics in the text will be smooth and will be easily understood, without indicating a change
of topic, it’ll be very confusing for the readers. 3. Headings and subheadings. Headings and
subheadings are important to understand what the text is all about. 4. Layout and
Formatting. The layout and formatting of a text is very important because without paying
mind to this, the text will be very messy and will not be coherent at all.

Throughout this whole research and, we have realized how important coherence and
cohesion are. They are one of the most fundamental building blocks in forming any type of
writing you plan to start. They affect the readability and the flow of your text. If a text is not
coherent and cohesive, it will definitely cause a lot of confusion and misunderstandings to
the readers. Which is why, we have to make sure that the writings we make are coherent
and cohesive.

GROUP MEMBERS:
CALUNOD, CHARLES
SAGPANG, ELIEZER
LACUARIN, LEIGH-ANNE
10-item multiple choice quiz B. Indicate a change of topic
C. Headings and Subheadings
1. This refers to whenever the elements of D. Layout
a text are united and work together.
A. Clarity 8. What is wrong with this sentence?
B. Cohesion “I bought many badges from the event, I
C. Coherence love it!”
D. Confusion A. There is nothing wrong with the
sentence.
2. It is the omission of one or more words B. The word “it” should be “them” because
from a sentence. it is referring to the word badges which is
A. Substitution plural.
B. Reference C. The word “it” should be “they” because it
C. Ellipsis is referring to the word badges which is
D. Eclipse plural.
D. The word “badges” should be omitted.
3. It gives a text a semantic meaning.
A. Coherence 9. “The problem mentioned above has been
B. Cohesion solved.”
C. Confidence What way of achieving a cohesive text is
D. Confusion being used?

4. This refers to a sequence of related A. Cohesive Nouns

words in a writing. B. Coherent Nouns
A. Lexica Botanica C. Confusing Nouns
B. Lexical Reference D. Lexical Chains
C. Chain Reaction
D. Lexical Chains 10. I can cook and my mother can too.
What word has been omitted?
5. In the sentence: I have to leave early
because my flight is at 7 in the morning. A. Mother
The word “because” is called a _______ B. Too
A. Connection C. Cook
B. Cohesion D. Bake
C. Comparsion
D. Conjunction

6. The usage of one word item to replace

another word item.
A. Sublimation
B. Substitution
C. Subordination
D. Ellipsis

7. Which of the following is NOT a way of

achieving a coherent text?
A. Complicate the meaning