What is coherence?
time to complete: 10 minutes
If you have received feedback on your writing that says things like this, your writing may not be coherent:
- I can't follow what you are saying
- I can't follow what you are saying
- Your argument is not clear
- What point are you making here?
- Your ideas do not progress logically
- What is the connection between these ideas?
Task: As a quick self-assessment, can you answer the following questions below about coherence? How many can you get right?
Definition of coherence
We can define coherence in contrast to cohesion:
Cohesion is achieved when sentences are connected at the sentence level
But….
Coherence is achieved when ideas are connected
What does coherence include?
Key features of coherence include:
- A clear understanding of the essay question or task/research project.
- Logical planning and organisation using established structures such as a general-specific structure.
- Dividing ideas into paragraphs with clear topics.
- Developing your argument from sentence to sentence and from paragraph to paragraph.
- Starting every sentence or paragraph with information that connects to the content of the previous sentence (using given and new information correctly).
- Using signposting to connect ideas within paragraphs and between paragraphs.
- Using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
Task: Answer the questions below to check you have understood what coherence is and what features it includes.