Textual cohesion, coherence and register
What cohesion and coherence mean
Cohesion is the visible linking of sentences: pronouns, determiners, substitution, ellipsis, lexical chains and connectors. Coherence is the logical order of ideas, so that each paragraph has one controlling idea and the reader can follow the argument. Register is the match between language and situation: a PAU essay is neutral-to-formal, so avoid contractions, slang and chatty addresses to the reader.
Cohesive devices to control
- Reference: this, these, such, the former / the latter. Make sure the referent is unambiguous and recent.
- Lexical chains: repeat key nouns or use synonyms (students → learners → undergraduates) rather than vague words like things.
- Connectors by function: addition (furthermore, in addition), contrast (however, whereas, despite + noun/-ing), cause (therefore, as a result), concession (although, even though), example (for instance).
- Substitution and ellipsis: "Some support the plan; others do not" avoids repeating support the plan.
Worked example
Two sentences: "The scheme was expensive. It was approved by the council." Combined with concession: "Although the scheme was expensive, it was approved by the council." Reasoning: although introduces a contrast between expected outcome and reality, and it is a subordinator, so the two clauses sit in one sentence with a comma. However would need different punctuation: "The scheme was expensive. However, it was approved." Writing "The scheme was expensive, however it was approved" creates a comma splice in formal written English.
Register and coherence checks
- Use full forms in essays: do not, cannot, it is.
- Prefer precise verbs to get and do.
- Keep one tense frame unless the chronology requires a shift.
- Put the topic sentence first in each paragraph; the reader should know the point before the evidence.
- Avoid overusing also, besides and moreover at the start of every sentence.
Traps
- A connector with the wrong logical meaning: because where the relationship is concession.
- Ambiguous it or this with no clear noun.
- Paragraphs that jump between ideas with no linking sentence.
- Informal register: kids, a lot of, you know.
- Overlong sentences that lose the subject–verb relationship.