Cohesion-and-Coherence的区别

Cohesion-and-Coherence的区别

Cohesion and Coherence

Cohesion can be thought of as all the grammatical and lexical

links that link one part of a text to another. This includes use of

synonyms, lexical sets, pronouns, verb tenses, time references,

grammatical reference, etc. For example, 'it', 'neither' and 'this' all

refer to an idea previously mentioned. 'First of all', 'then' and

'after that' help to sequence a text. 'However', 'in addition' and

'for instance' link ideas and arguments in a text.

Coherence can be thought of as how meanings and

sequences of ideas relate to each other. Typical examples would

be general> particular; statement> example; problem> solution;

question> answer; claim> counter-claim.

What does cohesion mean?

You might think of cohesion as a means of establishing

connections within a text at all sorts of different levels, e.g.,

section, paragraphs, sentences and even phrases.

How is cohesion different from coherence? It is difficult to

separate the two. However, think of coherence as the text making

sense as a whole at an ideas level,and cohesion as rather more

mechanical links at a language can imagine that it is

possible for a piece of writing to contain plenty of cohesion yet

little coherence.

Cohesion is the glue that holds a piece of writing together.

In other words, if a paper is cohesive, it sticks together from

sentence to sentence and from paragraph to paragraph.

Cohesive devices certainly include transitional words and phrases,

such as therefore, furthermore, or for instance, that clarify for

readers the relationships among ideas in a piece of writing.

However, transitions aren't enough to make writing cohesive.

Repetition of key words and use of reference words are also

needed for cohesion.

Cohesion Devices

Lexical level:

Repetition

Word family repeated

Synonyms, antonyms, other word relations

Thematically related words (lexical set)

Substations with one/ones

Grammatical level:

Reference: article, pronouns, normalization

Substitution of clause elements using so, not, do/does/did,

etc

Ellipsis of clause elements

Linking words: conjunctions and conjuncts

Comparatives

Verb tense

Rhetorical techniques

Question and answer

Parallelism

Coherence

When sentences, ideas, and details fit together clearly,

readers can follow along easily, and the writing is coherent. The

ideas tie together smoothly and clearly. To establish the links that

readers need, you can use the methods listed here.

Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase

This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on

track. Example: The problem with contemporary art is that it is

not easily understood by most people. Contemporary art is

deliberately abstract, and that means it leaves the viewer

wondering what she is looking at.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have essentially the same meaning,

and they provide some variety in your word choices, helping the

reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed.

Example: Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred

origins. These traditional narratives are, in short, a set of beliefs

that are a very real force in the lives of the people who tell them.

Pronouns

This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful

pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned.

Be sure, however, that what you are referring to is clear.

Example: When scientific experiments do not work out as

expected, they are often considered failures until some other

scientist tries them again. Those that work out better the second

time around are the ones that promise the most rewards.

Transitional Words

There are many words in English that cue our readers to

relationships between sentences, joining sentences together.

Words such as “however”, “therefore”, “in addition”,

“also”, “but”, “moreover”, etc. Example: I like autumn, and

yet autumn is a sad time of the year, too. The leaves turn bright

shades of red and the weather is mild, but I can't help thinking

ahead to the winter and the ice storms that will surely blow

through here. In addition, that will be the season of chapped

faces, too many layers of clothes to put on, and days when I'll

have to shovel heaps of snow from my car's windshield.

Sentence Patterns

Sometimes, repeated or parallel sentence patterns can help

the reader follow along and keep ideas tied together.

Example: (from a speech by President John F. Kennedy) And

so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for

you--ask what you can do for your country.