8.1 Cohesion and coherence
2 min read•july 25, 2024
examines how language works in context. It looks at , which connects words and sentences, and , which creates overall meaning and logic in communication.
Understanding cohesion and coherence helps us analyze texts and conversations. We'll explore linguistic devices that create cohesion and factors that contribute to coherence in various forms of communication.
Discourse Analysis Fundamentals
Cohesion vs coherence in discourse
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- Cohesion creates surface-level linguistic connections through grammatical and lexical ties between sentences and paragraphs (pronouns, conjunctions)
- Coherence establishes underlying semantic and contributing to overall sense and meaning of text (thematic consistency, logical flow)
- Key differences highlight cohesion as text-based and objectively identifiable while coherence relies on reader interpretation and background knowledge
Linguistic devices for cohesion
- uses pronouns, demonstratives, and articles to connect ideas (she, this, the)
- replaces linguistic items with others to avoid repetition (one, do, so)
- omits elements understood from context enhancing text flow ("I like coffee. She doesn't [like coffee].")
- employs connective words and phrases to link ideas (and, however, because, then)
- utilizes word relationships and repetition (synonyms, antonyms, collocations)
Role of coherence in texts
- develops and maintains central themes through topic sentences and paragraph structure
- Logical relationships establish connections between ideas (cause-effect, problem-solution, comparison-contrast)
- taps into readers' prior understanding and cultural context
- allows readers to fill gaps and draw conclusions based on textual cues
- ensures overall unity and purpose of text through macrostructure and superstructure
Application of cohesion and coherence
- Written texts analysis examines academic papers, narrative texts, and argumentative essays for structural elements and logical flow
- Spoken interactions analysis explores conversation dynamics, , and prosodic features
- Multimodal communication analysis investigates visual cohesion, image-text relationships, and cross-mode synchronization
- Cross-genre comparison identifies differences in cohesive devices and coherence expectations across text types
- Intercultural communication considers cultural variations in coherence patterns and rhetorical structures
Key Terms to Review (21)
Background Knowledge Activation: Background knowledge activation refers to the process of recalling and utilizing previously acquired information and experiences to make sense of new information or texts. This cognitive process is essential for understanding language, as it allows individuals to connect new ideas to what they already know, facilitating better comprehension and retention.
Coherence: Coherence refers to the logical connections and overall sense of unity in a piece of discourse, making it easy for readers or listeners to follow the message being conveyed. It goes beyond mere grammatical correctness and involves the organization of ideas and information, helping the audience understand how different parts relate to one another. Coherence is crucial for effective communication, whether in written texts or spoken conversations, as it ensures that the intended meaning is clear and accessible.
Cohesion: Cohesion refers to the linguistic feature that connects sentences and ideas within a text, creating a sense of unity and flow. It involves the use of grammatical and lexical devices that help link different parts of a text, making it easier for readers to follow and understand the author's message. This interconnectedness is crucial for constructing coherent discourse, as it allows ideas to build upon one another logically.
Conjunction: A conjunction is a word that connects clauses, sentences, or words within the same clause. It plays a crucial role in linking ideas together to form coherent thoughts, enhancing the flow of communication. By connecting different elements, conjunctions help establish relationships between ideas, contributing to the overall clarity and meaning of a text.
Discourse Analysis: Discourse analysis is the study of language use in context, focusing on how meaning is constructed through language in various forms of communication. It examines how language functions in social contexts, looking at patterns of interaction, the organization of text, and the relationship between language and power dynamics. This approach connects with multiple aspects of language study, emphasizing how discourse shapes and reflects social identities and cultural norms.
Discourse Markers: Discourse markers are words or phrases that help organize and manage the flow of conversation or written text. They serve as signals to guide the listener or reader, indicating relationships between ideas, shifts in topic, or the speaker's attitude. By enhancing cohesion and coherence, discourse markers contribute to how information is presented and understood, making communication smoother and more effective.
Ellipsis: Ellipsis is a linguistic phenomenon where one or more words are omitted from a sentence because they are understood from the context. This omission helps in making communication more efficient and concise, as it avoids unnecessary repetition while still maintaining clarity. The use of ellipsis can also enhance cohesion and coherence in a discourse by allowing speakers or writers to connect ideas without explicitly restating previously mentioned information.
Expository Structure: Expository structure refers to the organizational framework used to present information clearly and logically. It plays a crucial role in how ideas are connected, helping readers understand and retain the content through cohesive and coherent delivery of facts and explanations.
Focus: Focus refers to the linguistic feature that indicates which part of a sentence is being emphasized or highlighted in relation to the surrounding context. This term plays a crucial role in creating coherence within discourse by guiding the listener or reader's attention to the most relevant information, thus enhancing understanding. Proper focus helps to establish connections between ideas and maintains the flow of conversation or text, allowing for clearer communication.
Given-new strategy: The given-new strategy is a communication approach used in discourse that helps speakers organize their information by linking what is already known (the 'given') with new information (the 'new'). This strategy enhances coherence in communication, making it easier for listeners to follow and understand the flow of ideas.
Global Coherence: Global coherence refers to the overall logical and meaningful connection of ideas in a text, allowing the reader to grasp the main message or theme being conveyed. It involves the way different parts of a text relate to each other and contribute to a unified understanding, enabling readers to follow the narrative or argument seamlessly without getting lost.
Halliday and Hasan's Theory: Halliday and Hasan's Theory focuses on the concepts of cohesion and coherence in language, highlighting how linguistic elements work together to create meaning in texts. This theory suggests that cohesion refers to the way words and phrases connect within a text, while coherence is about the overall logical relationship that makes a text understandable to readers. Their work emphasizes that understanding how these elements interact is essential for effective communication and comprehension.
Inferencing: Inferencing is the process of drawing conclusions or making interpretations based on evidence, context, and prior knowledge. This cognitive skill allows individuals to fill in gaps and understand implied meanings that are not directly stated in text or spoken language. It plays a crucial role in how we comprehend and relate to information, influencing the way we perceive cohesion and coherence within communication.
Lexical cohesion: Lexical cohesion refers to the way words in a text are related through their meanings and how they contribute to the overall unity of the text. This type of cohesion relies on the use of related vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, and other lexical relationships that connect different parts of the text, making it easier for readers to follow the flow of ideas and understand the intended message.
Logical Relationships: Logical relationships refer to the connections and associations between ideas or statements that clarify the way they relate to one another within a text. These relationships help establish coherence and facilitate understanding, allowing readers to follow the progression of thoughts, arguments, or narratives effectively.
Narrative structure: Narrative structure refers to the framework that organizes and shapes a story, encompassing the sequence of events, character development, and how the plot unfolds over time. It dictates how the narrative is presented to the audience, impacting their understanding and emotional engagement with the story. By establishing cohesion and coherence within a narrative, it ensures that the elements of the story are logically connected and flow smoothly from one part to another.
Reference: Reference is a linguistic concept that involves the relationship between language and the real-world entities, concepts, or ideas it represents. It allows speakers and listeners to connect words or phrases to the specific things they denote, playing a crucial role in how meaning is conveyed in communication. Understanding reference is essential for establishing cohesion in discourse and interpreting meanings in lexical semantics.
Semantic relations: Semantic relations refer to the various ways in which meanings of words and phrases can connect, interact, and influence each other within a language. These relationships help us understand how language conveys meaning through context and structure, playing a crucial role in creating cohesion and coherence in communication. They also bridge connections among different branches of linguistics by highlighting how meaning is constructed and interpreted.
Substitution: Substitution refers to the linguistic mechanism of replacing a word or phrase with another word, often a pronoun, to avoid repetition and maintain flow in discourse. This technique plays a crucial role in achieving cohesion and coherence in text, as it allows speakers and writers to connect ideas smoothly while keeping the audience engaged.
Thematic Progression: Thematic progression refers to the way in which themes are developed and organized throughout a text, allowing ideas to flow logically from one sentence or clause to the next. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the coherence of written discourse, as it guides readers through the development of ideas and maintains focus on key themes. Thematic progression works alongside other aspects of language, such as cohesion, to ensure that the text is not only connected but also easy to understand.
Topic Continuity: Topic continuity refers to the way a conversation or text maintains focus on a particular subject or theme over time. This concept is essential for ensuring cohesion and coherence in communication, allowing listeners or readers to easily follow the progression of ideas and understand the relationships between them. By keeping the topic consistent, speakers and writers create a more engaging and understandable message.