Style, cohesion and coherence

in academic writing
Dr Anjali Ramnani
Assistant Professor of English
GLS University
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Style, cohesion and coherence – role in academic writing

 Cohesion and coherence are important aspects of the structure of academic writing as they
have an influence on the readability and logical flow of the argument of a text.
 Cohesion refers to the logical flow and connection in a written text and is achieved
through the use of devices to link sentences together so that there is a logical flow between
ideas from one sentence to the next.
 Coherence refers to the unity or togetherness of the text as a whole and is achieved
through the effective grouping and arrangement of ideas in a logical order.
 Paragraphs generally follow a typical structure: The first sentence in the paragraph is the
topic sentence. This sentence defines the scope of the paragraph, encapsulates or
organises the paragraph and relates to the thesis of the text. The topic sentence is usually
followed by supporting evidence for the claims made in the paragraph and an elaboration
on the claims. It is important to draw the reader’s attention to the point you want to make
with your claims.
Cohesion in paragraphs
 Cohesion in paragraphs can be achieved by the use of linking devices and logical
connectors to link sentences. These devices include a variety of elements, e.g.
conjunctions, the use of pronouns and the repetition of certain words.
 It is important to note that conjunctions link on a grammatical level, while linking devices
link meaning.
 Logical connectors
Logical connectors
Additive words Order words
add information to what has already been given used to identify a specific sequence or order of events
also further afterwards presently
and furthermore at the same time subsequently
as well as in addition before now
at the same time likewise first(ly), second(ly)… then
besides moreover formerly ultimately
equally important too last(ly) until
later while
meanwhile historically
next today
Amplification words Summarising words
expand upon previous ideas identifies the main line for argument
as specifically in conclusion briefly
for example such as to summarise in brief
for instance that is to sum up in short
in fact to illustrate in summary
Repetitive words Qualifying words
used to repeat something with more emphasis introduce conditions
again that is although providing
in other words to repeat if unless
Contract and change words Cause and effect words
used to introduce a contrasting argument used to link ideas of casualty and consequence
but conversely accordingly since
nothwithstanding despite as a result so
on the other hand still because then
even though though consequently therefore
however whereas for this reason thus
in contrast yet
Emphasising words
used to highlight important information
more/most significantly above all
more/most importantly
Remarks on cohesion
 Make sure the text reads like a unit
 Use linking devices and logical connectors
 Be careful not to overuse certain linking phrases
 Make use of pronouns, especially ‘this’ for linking.
 E.g. Global Warming is caused by man-made or anthropogenic causes. This has been
fiercely debated
Remarks on coherence

 Develop arguments logically using paragraphs

 Be sure to have a clear introduction, body and conculsion
 Make sure every part of the text fits together
 Ensure that every new paragraph is related to the previous one
 Plan the flow and development of your argument before you start writing
 Ensure that paragraphs are conceptually linked, and not only sentences
Let’s analyze
 Study the following extract from an article written by a graduate student:
 Year 2001! The performance of Indian Railways was at its worst. Revenues were stagnant
and costs were escalating. A series of bad years had reduced the fund balance to only Re
149 crores. Operating Ratio (ratio of Total Working Expenses—including depreciation and
pension, but excluding dividend to GOI—to Total Earnings) was at 98.34%; and for the
first time in nearly two decades, Railways had to defer the dividend payable to
Government of India. The Expert Group on Indian Railways (also known as Anand Mohan
Committee for Railway Restructuring) had already written the obituary of Indian
Railways.
 Year 2006! Within five years of the doomsday prophesies, Indian Railways was “back with
a bang”. With an operating ratio of 78.7%, it was among the most efficient railways in the
world. The funds balance had ballooned to Re 12,000 crores—and Railways was finalizing
investments to the tune of Re 350,000 crores till 2015 [Raghuram 2007]. This remarkable
reversal of fortune and regaining of confidence, for a public sector enterprise, seems a
story taken out of fairy-tales. (Taken from “Turnaround of Indian Railways,” student
assignment, 2008)
Let’s analyze
 The same text, written in a different way. What changes you noticed?
 The performance of Indian Railways was at its worst in 2001. A series of financially bad
years in which revenues were stagnant and costs rising had reduced its fund balance to Rs
149 crore. The Operating Ratio (that is, ratio of Total Working Expenses— including
depreciation and pension, but excluding dividend payable to GOI—to Total Earnings) was
98.34%; and for the first time since 1983, Railways deferred the dividend payable to
Government of India. The Expert Group on Indian Railways (2001), also known as Anand
Mohan Committee for Railway Restructuring, concluded in the same year that this public
sector enterprise was financially unviable. In the following five years, however, there was
a significant turnaround. In 2006, the operating ratio was 78.7%, among the best globally.
The balance of funds rose 80 times to Rs 12,000 crore. Buoyed by this, observes
Raghuram (2007), Railways decided to invest up to Rs 350,000 crore in the next ten years.
This is a remarkable reversal of fortunes for a public sector enterprise.