Mastering Coherence and Cohesion in Professional Writing

Understanding Textual Unity: Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence: Ensuring Internal Meaning

Coherence relates to the deep, semantic structure of a text—what the text means.

• When writing, every sentence maintains a logical link to the previous or earlier sentences, ensuring the continuity of thought.
• Coherence is the overall meaning attributed to the text.
• The key words of a text are the foundation of its semantic structure.
• Segments organized around these key words form the consistency of the message.
• Coherence is the internal meaning of a text.

Cohesion: Linguistic Links and Surface Structure

Cohesion refers to the surface-level linguistic elements that connect sentences and paragraphs.

• Cohesion is built from the balance created by the linguistic elements of the text.
• It is responsible for the textual balance, providing the necessary bonds and connections between sentences.
• Cohesion helps maintain the thread of the text.
• Cohesion is the outward and visible structure of the text.

Features and Mechanisms of Textual Cohesion

Epithets

An epithet is a descriptive word or phrase used to characterize a person or thing.

Example: Glauber Rocha made memorable films. Too bad the filmmaker, the most famous figure in Brazilian cinema, died so young.

Nominalizations

Nominalization occurs when a noun is used to refer back to a previously stated verb or action.

Example: They were to testify about the case. The judge said, however, that such testimony was not valid because they were relatives of the killer.

Synonymous or Near-Synonymous Expressions

Using words or expressions that share similar meanings to link ideas.

Example: The paintings of Van Gogh had no value in his time. There were screens that served up the chicken coop door.

Repetition of a Word

We can repeat a word (with or without a determiner) when it cannot be effectively replaced by another term without losing precision.

A Short-Term Context

Example: The country is full of bureaucratic obstacles. You must complete a multitude of roles. Then a multitude of fees paid. All these limitations end up harming the importer.

Pronouns

Pronouns are used to refer back to previously mentioned nouns (antecedents).

• Example 1: Vitamins are good for health. But we should not take them at random.
• Example 2: He had a political speech so compelling. He has been elected six times.

Numerals

Numerals help maintain cohesion by referring to quantities or parts of a previously mentioned whole.

Example: You cannot say that the whole class is ill-prepared. At least a third seems to be dominating the subject.

Pronominal Adverbs (Here, There, Then)

These adverbs function cohesively by referring to places or times mentioned earlier.

Example: We could not miss the Louvre. There is the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci: the "Mona Lisa."

Ellipsis (Omission)

Ellipsis is the omission of a word or phrase that is understood from the context.

Example: The minister was the first to arrive. (He) opened the session at eight o'clock and (he) then made his emotional speech.

Repeating the Name (or Part Thereof)

Using the full name or a shortened version (e.g., the surname) for cohesive reference.

Example: Manuel da Silva Peixoto was one of the biggest prize winners of the lottery. Peixoto said he would spend the money on buying property and making trips abroad.

Metonymy

Metonymy is the process of replacing one word with another based on a semantic relationship of contiguity (e.g., using a place name to refer to an institution).

Example: The government has been concerned with inflation. The Plateau (referring to the Presidency) says it accepts no markup in price.

Semantic Association (Lexical Chains)

Association occurs when one word leads to another because they maintain precise semantic links within a specific context.

Example: São Paulo is always a victim of the summer floods. The flooding affects traffic, causing traffic jams of up to 200 km.