Question

What aspect of writing focuses on ensuring that sentences and paragraphs flow logically from one to another, making the text easy for the reader to follow?

• A. Punctuation
• B. Cohesion and coherence
• C. Spelling
• D. Vocabulary choice

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Cohesion and coherence

Understanding Cohesion and Coherence in Writing

• Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical links that connect the different parts of a text. It is about how sentences and paragraphs are linked together at the surface level of the text.
• Key cohesive devices include:
  • Pronouns: e.g., using 'he' or 'it' to refer back to a previously mentioned noun.
  • Conjunctions/Connectors: e.g., 'and,' 'but,' 'however,' 'therefore,' 'in addition,' 'consequently.' These show relationships between ideas.
  • Repetition: Repeating key words or phrases for emphasis and connection.
  • Synonyms/Antonyms: Using words with similar or opposite meanings to create links.
  • Lexical chains/Semantic fields: Groups of related words (e.g., 'tree,' 'forest,' 'leaves,' 'roots').
  • Substitution: Replacing a phrase with a shorter one (e.g., 'I saw the movie, and so did she').
  • Ellipsis: Omitting words that are understood from the context (e.g., 'Are you coming? Yes, I am [coming]').
• Coherence, on the other hand, refers to the logical flow of ideas and the overall understandability of the text. It's about the meaning and organization of the text, ensuring that the ideas make sense to the reader.
• Coherence is achieved when the main ideas are presented in a logical order, supported by relevant details, and the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, guiding the reader through the argument or narrative.
• While cohesion deals with the 'how' of linking words and sentences, coherence deals with the 'what' of the logical progression of ideas. A text can be cohesive (e.g., grammatically linked) but still lack coherence if the ideas don't make logical sense together.
• For example, a sentence like "He went to the store, and therefore, the sky is blue" is cohesive (uses 'and therefore') but incoherent.
• Both cohesion and coherence are crucial for effective communication in writing, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the message and understand the intended meaning without confusion.
• In competitive exams, questions related to cohesion and coherence often test a candidate's ability to identify appropriate transition words, sequence sentences logically, or understand the overall flow of a given passage.
• Mastering these concepts is vital for excelling in reading comprehension, essay writing, and sentence re-arrangement sections of various examinations.