Lesson 1

Coherence
Coherence
and
and
Cohesion
Cohesion
Nicolo, Bernadette, Brad
 Warm
Warm up
up
time
time

To gain a quick understanding of our

topic for today's discussion, let's engage
in an activity. In this activity we will need 4 representative to
join us.
 • The first student will provide a
starting sentence or prompt for a

Instructions:
story.
• This sentence should be simple and
open-minded, encouraging creativity.
For example: "Once upon a time
there was a curious cat named
Bubbles."
• The next student will take turn
adding a sentence or two to continue
the story.
• Use transition words, pronounce,
and logical connection between
sentences to ensure the story flows
smoothly .
Picture a well-structured piece of writing where each idea
seamlessly connects to the next, creating a natural flow of
thoughts just like what we did earlier. This is the result of two
important aspects working in harmony. When these two elements
come together, your writing becomes clear, engaging, and easy to
follow, captivating your audience from start to finish.

Through this lesson, you will gain knowledge on Coherence and

Cohesion as properties of a well-written text.
 At the end of our lesson,
At the end of our lesson,
you are expected to:
you are expected to:
Identify the Write a Explore a
difference
coherent cohesive and
between coherent
Coherence composition
and Cohesion composition
Remember these terms that are listed below as we will encounter it through our
discussion.

1. Coherence - the connection of ideas at the idea level.

2. Cohesion - the connection of ideas at the sentence level.
3. Reference words - words that are used to refer to something that is mentioned
elsewhere in the text usually in a preceding sentence.
4. Transitional signals - also called cohesive devices or linking words.
5. Synonyms - words with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
6. Parallism - the use of matching words, phrases, clauses or sentence structures to
express similar ideas.
 Cohesion

Relates to the micro level

of the text. It’s the words
and sentences and how
they join or link together.

Cohesive (adj)
- United and working
together.
- Fitting together well
 Coherence

Relates to macro level features

of a text which help it to make
sense as a whole.

Coherent (adj)
-logically ordered and
connected
-clear and consistent
-understandable
 What
What is
is
Cohesion
Cohesion ??

- it is the connection of ideas at the sentence level,

- it focuses on the "grammatical" aspects of writing,
- the act of forming a whole unit,
- a subset of coherence, and
- provides flow and sequence to your work and helps make
your paragraphs clear for the reader.
 5 main methods
•• Repeated
Repeated words/ideas
words/ideas
• one way to achieve cohesion is to repeat words, or to repeat
ideas using different words.
Example:

Most students are intimidated by the works of William

Shakespeare. They believe Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays
are far too complicated to read and understand.
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together' which
will make it easier for the reader to follow the main ideas in
your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion by paying
attention to five important features. The first of these repeated
words. A second key feature is reference words. A third one is
transition signals. A fourth is synonyms. The final important
aspect is parallelism.
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'
which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first of
these repeated words. A second key feature is reference
words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is synonyms.
The final important aspect is parallelism.
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'
which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first of
these repeated words. A second key feature is reference
words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is synonyms.
The final important aspect is parallelism.
 2. Reference words
• are words that are used to refer to something that is mentioned elsewhere in
the text, usually in a preceding sentence. The most common type is a
pronoun.

Example:

Mr. Thompson agreed to meet with members of the workers

union before he signed the contract. He was interested in
hearing their concerns about the new insurance plan.
Personal Pronouns
• He, She, It, We, You, Me, Him, Her, Us, Them, They
Demonstrative Pronouns
• This, These, That, Those

Possessive Pronouns
• He, She, It, We, You, Me, Him, Her, Us, Them, They

Interrogative Pronouns
• Who, Whom, Whose, Which, What
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing.
Cohesion can help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks
together'. Cohesion will make it easier for the reader to follow
the main ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good
cohesion by paying attention to five important features. The
first important feature is repeated words. A second key feature
is reference words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is
synonyms. The final important aspect is parallelism
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'.
Cohesion will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first
important feature is repeated words. A second key feature is
reference words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is
synonyms. The final important aspect is parallelism
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'
which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first
important feature is repeated words. A second key feature is
reference words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is
synonyms. The final important aspect is parallelism
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'
which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first of
these is repeated words. A second key feature is reference
words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is synonyms.
The final important aspect is parallelism
 3.
3. Transitional
Transitional Signals
Signals
• are also called cohesive devices or linking words. These are words or phrases
which show the relationship between ideas. Some examples of transitional
signals are:
a. Time- first, immediately, in the meantime, etc.
b. Sequence - moreover, furthermore, next, also, additionally,
etc.
c. Space- above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.
d. Illustrations - for instance, specifically, for example, etc.
e. Comparison - similarly, also, likewise, etc.
f. Contrast- but, however, conversely, etc.
g. Cause and Effect - because, as a result, then, etc.
Time
These indicate the sequence or timing of events. They
help readers understand the chronological order of
actions or ideas.

e.g: First, immediately, in the meantime, etc.

Sequence
These indicate the order or sequence of steps, actions,
or ideas. They help readers follow a logical progression
from one point to the next.

e.g: moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last,

another, first, second, third, besides, additionally, etc.
Space
These indicates the location between ideas or objects.
They help readers understand the spatial arrangement of
elements in the text.

e.g: above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.

Illustration
These provide examples or further clarification to
support a point or idea. They help readers understand
concepts through specific instances or illustrations.

e.g: for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in

this case, to illustrate, etc
Comparison
Highlights similarities between ideas, objects, or
situations. They help readers understand relationships
based on similarities.

e.g: similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in

comparison, too, etc.
Contrast
Highlights differences between ideas, objects, or
situations. They help readers understand relationships
based on differences.

e.g: but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the

other hand, although, on the contrary, otherwise,
conversely, nevertheless, instead, in spite of; etc.
Cause and effect
Indicates the relationship between a cause and its
resulting effect. They help readers understand the
reasons behind certain actions or events.

e.g: because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since,

 3. Transitional Signals
• are also called cohesive devices or linking words. These are words or phrases
which show the relationship between ideas. Some examples of transitional
signals are:
Example:

Many students believe they can’t write a good essay because they are not writers.
However, as they practice writing and work on developing their writing skills most
students can gain the needed confidence to start thinking of themselves as writers.
 4.
4. Synonyms
Synonyms
• are words with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. They
provide alternative word choices that can add variety to a text and can help
eliminate unnecessary repetition.

Example:

Teenagers face an enormous amount of peer pressure from friends and schoolmates. As
a result, many young adults are exhibiting signs of severe stress or depression at an
early age.
Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can
help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together'
which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main
ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion
by paying attention to five important features. The first of
these repeated words. A second key feature is reference
words. A third one is transition signals. A fourth is synonyms.
The final important aspect is parallelism.
 5.
5. Parallelism
Parallelism
• is the use of matching words, phrases, clauses or sentence structures to express
similar ideas. Parallel structures allow the readers to flow smoothly from one
idea, sentence or paragraph to the next and to understand the relationships and
connections between ideas.

Example:

Usually, the children spend the summer weekends playing ball in park, swimming in
the neighbor's pool, eating ice cream under the tree, or camping in the backyard.
Question 1
The frustrated customer wanted to
exchange the article, to obtain a
refund, or to speak to a manager
The frustrated customer wanted to
exchange the article, to obtain a
refund, or she wanted to speak to the
manager
 Below are examples of paragraph with poor and strong cohesion. Have a closer look on how they differ.

Question 1
Poor Cohesion Strong Cohesion

Thousands of people visit Yosemite National park each year. They come
Thousands of people visit Yosemite National park each year. They
to experience the natural beauties of the magnificent rock cliffs and to
come to experience the natural beauties of the magnificent rock cliffs
enjoy the great outdoors. However, what they do not realize is that as
and to enjoy the great outdoors. These rock cliffs pose a great danger
beautiful as they are, these rock cliffs pose a great danger from
from rockslides.
rockslides.
If there is Cohesion, there should be Coherence.

What is Coherence?
What is Coherence?
What
What is
is Coherence?
Coherence?
• it is the connection of ideas at the idea level
• “rhetorical” aspects of writing which include developing and
supporting arguments (e.g. thesis statement development,
synthesizing and integrating reading, organizing and clarifying ideas)
• it is the overall sense of unity in a passage including both the main
point of sentences and the main point of each paragraph.
 Question 1
Not-so-coherent More coherent

I like dogs because they are cute and fluffy and I Dogs are adorable and cuddly, which is why I
also like pizza because it has cheese and love them. And who can resist a delicious pizza
pepperoni. with melty cheese and savory pepperoni?
 Coherence
involves...
summarizing the overall
argument of an essay in the presenting ideas in a logical
introduction paragraph sequence

FEATURES
bEginning each paragraph with
putting separate, major points a “topic sentence”, followed by
into separate paragraphs supporting sentences
Coherence can be achieved
by:
• writing a concept map or outline
• write down the main idea of each paragraph- called a topic sentence
• check to see if the topic sentences are connected to the thesis
statement of the paper of have strayed from the main argument
How
How do
do you
you check
check whether
whether you
you
achieve
achieve coherence?
coherence?
> Analyze the essay
Do the paragraph breaks come in natural places?
Does every paragraph focus only on one aspect of the problem?

> Read the paper from beginning until the end without any pauses.
Does it give you a sense of completeness and unity?

> Think about you impressions.

Can you tell straight away what the main idea of the text is after you have read
it?
Is it clear what opinion the author sticks with?
 Below are examples of paragraph with poor and strong coherence. Have a closer look on
how they differ. Identify if the paragraph is a STRONG or POOR coherence.

Question 1
The industry has many advantages. It can draw on
The industry has many advantages. It can draw on
great deal of research, particularly in terms of
great deal of research. It can also export products to
strategies used for entering new markets. While there
key trading partners. It has significant growth
is a significant growth potential in the medium to
potential in the medium to long term. Workers within
long term, it is clear that workers within this sector
the industry need training. It is important to keep
need training. Therefore, it is important to keep staff
staff up-to-date with software used in the industry.
up-to-date with software used in this industry.
 Below are examples of paragraph with poor and strong coherence. Have a closer look on how they differ.

Question 1
Poor Coherence Strong Coherence

The industry has many advantages. It can draw on great deal of
research. It can also export products to key trading partners. It has
significant growth potential in the medium to long term. Workers
within the industry need training. It is important to keep staff up-to-
date with software used in the industry.
The industry has many advantages. It can draw on great deal of research,
particularly in terms of strategies used for entering new markets. While
there is a significant growth potential in the medium to long term, it is
clear that workers within this sector need training. Therefore, it is
important to keep staff up-to-date with software used in this industry.
Points to Ponder
Coherence refers to the overall sense of unity in a passage, including both the
main point of sentences and the main point of each paragraph. It is achieved
when sentences and ideas are connected and flow together smoothly. Cohesion is
the connection of ideas at the sentence level. It can be readily seen in a text
through the smooth flow of the sentences and the connection of ideas. Cohesion
can be achieved using five methods: repeated words, reference words, transitional
signals, synonyms and parallelism.
Can a paragraph be coherent
but not cohesive?
Cohesive but not coherent?
 Example

I had the most beautiful experience

when I went to the zoo. I saw
different kind of birds. But it was my
first time to see a Karabao flying.
You can have cohesion without
coherence but you cannot have
coherence without cohesion
Coherence - logical order
Cohesion - helpful links (glue)
Quiz Time!!
True of False Write 'True' if the statement that was given is correct. Write 'False' if
it's not.
__ 6. Coherence is achieved when sentences
__ 1. Cohesion is the connection of ideas and ideas are connected and flow together.
at the idea level. __ 7. The use of matching words, phrases,
__ 2. Cohesion can be achieved using 5 clauses or sentence structure to express
methods. similar ideas is called Parallelism.
__ 3. Transitional Signals are also called __ 8. Coherence is also the 'rhetorical'
Coherence Devices or linking words. aspects of writing which include developing
__ 4. You can achieve coherence and supporting arguments.
__ 9. The 5 methods include Repeated
without cohesion.
words/ideas, Reference words, Transitional
__ 5. Repeated words/ideas are words Signals, Synonyms and Parallelism.
which are used to refer to something __ 10. When you love someone, you open up
which is mentioned elsewhere in the your heart. When you love someone, you
text. make room.
 Great job!
You’re done
with all the task.
Congratulations!
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!