What Are Coherence and Cohesion?
Coherence refers to the logical organization and clarity of ideas in a text. A coherent piece is easy to follow because its ideas are well-structured and make sense together.
Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical linking within a text that helps readers understand how sentences and ideas connect. This includes transition words, pronouns, repetition, and synonyms.
Why Do They Matter?
- Improve readability and understanding
- Help readers follow your argument or narrative
- Essential for academic and professional writing
- Key criteria in language assessments (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL)
Examples
Without cohesion: John went to the store. He bought apples. He likes fruit.
With cohesion: John went to the store because he loves fruit. There, he bought some fresh apples.
Incoherent paragraph: Climate change is serious. My dog barks loudly. Scientists warn about rising temperatures. I drink coffee every morning.
Coherent paragraph: Climate change poses a serious threat to our planet. Scientists warn that rising global temperatures could lead to extreme weather, melting ice caps, and loss of biodiversity.
Tips to Improve Coherence & Cohesion
- Plan your writing with a clear outline
- Use logical paragraph structure (topic sentence → support → conclusion)
- Employ linking words: however, therefore, in addition, for example
- Maintain consistent tense and point of view
- Repeat key terms or use synonyms carefully
Quick Quiz
Which sentence shows better cohesion?