Unit 8: Academic Writing Resources
46 Cohesion and Coherence in Academic Writing
The word cohesion come from the Latin verb cohaerēre which means to stick together. In English academic writing, it is the responsibility of the writer to make sure that the ideas expressed in an essay are clear and easy for the reader to understand.
Look at the two paragraphs below. They are almost identical. Which is easier to follow and understand? Why?
Examples
Example 1: Research showed that universities provided inconsistent messages about the use of mobile computing devices. Some universities provided students with devices and instructors with implementation support. All instructors were not willingly taking advantage of those opportunities. Other institutions worked to provide university-related applications for the mobile device but did not support their use in learning. Some instructors at the universities deemed the devices as inappropriate and asked students to store them away when entering the classroom. This inconsistent message remains a barrier to the effective implementation of mobile devices in higher education.
Example 2: Research showed that universities provided inconsistent messages about the use of mobile computing devices. On the one hand, some universities provided students with devices and instructors with implementation support. Yet, all instructors were not willingly taking advantage of those opportunities. On the other hand, other institutions worked to provide university-related applications for the mobile device but did not support their use in learning. Therefore, some instructors at the universities deemed the devices as inappropriate and asked students to store them away when entering the classroom. This inconsistent message remains a barrier. In short, this inconsistent message remains a barrier to the effective implementation of mobile devices in higher education.
Text adapted from: Gikas, J. & Grant, M. (2013). Mobile computing devices in higher education: Student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones, & social media.)
You probably noticed the second example contains a number of expressions which clarify the connections between ideas.
Techniques for Building 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, use the methods listed here.
Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase
This technique focuses your ideas and keeps your reader on track. These repeated words and their related terms are sometimes referred to as lexical chains.
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, and they 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. See the next chapter for more transition words. There you will find lists of 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 too many layers of clothes to put on and days when I’ll have to shovel heaps of snow from the sidewalk.
This/These Plus Summary Nouns
A simple, efficient way to establish the old-to-new flow of information is to use:
- Demonstrative pronoun (This / These) + noun (singular or plural)
Consider the following sentences.
Example: Writing instructors know that students need to understand the differences between formal and informal language. This understanding can help students make strategic choices in their writing.
What does this understanding refer to?
Example: In recent years, the number of students applying for undergraduate admission at Ivy League colleges has increased steadily, while the number of places available has remained fairly constant. This situation has resulted in intense competition for admission.
What does this situation refer to? What is the effect of using this instead of that? Could the writer have used only this instead of this situation?
The phrases in italics contain a summary noun or word that refers back to the idea in the previous sentence. They summarize what has already been said and pick up where the previous sentence has ended. You may have noticed in your academic reading that this is not always followed by a noun—that is, this is unsupported or unattended. Keep in mind, however, that if there is a possibility your reader will not understand what this is referring to, your best strategy is to follow this with a noun so that your meaning is clear.
Chart of This/These + Summary Nouns
| noun type | example |
| approach | method, strategy, process, idea |
| trend | pattern, tendency |
| disadvantage | weakness, problem, challenge, obstacle, difficulty, drawback |
| advantage | strength, solution, benefit |
| aspect | characteristic, feature, factor |
| stage | step, part |
| reason | cause, effect, result |
| circumstance | situation, example, issue |
Watch this video
from Scientific Writing with Karen L. McKee
