The definition of coherence and Cohesion depends on the field they are used. Coherence is based more on the logic of the ideas and how they are presented. Cohesion refers to the degree to which sentences are connected so that the flow of ideas.
The definition of coherence and Cohesion depends on the field they are used. Coherence is based more on the logic of the ideas and how they are presented. Cohesion refers to the degree to which sentences are connected so that the flow of ideas.
Cohesion refers to the links of textuality and helps the writer to put various linguistic entities to form a united whole; therefore, cohesion guarantees coherence which is in effect the quality of the text in being logical , consistent, and meaningful.
They are somewhat similar. However, cohesion is a close relationship between two parts of a sentence or a larger piece of writing while coherence happens when a piece of writing is easy to understand because its parts are connected in a clear and reasonable way.
Cohesion refers to the ties between the parts of a piece of writing and it is achieved through the use of cohesive devices, such as whereas, meanwhile, therefore, etc. and through reference. Coherence, by contrast, refers to the connection between the ideas presented in a piece of writing, i.e. it is the unity of the theme in a piece of writing.
After eating almost all of her doughnut, which she loves, my daughter says, "Mommy, I will not eat it, because I do not like doughnuts at all."
Her sentence is cohesive. The words are intelligible and used correctly and, she gave me a clear argument for not eating her doughnut: she does not like them. However, she lacks coherence. Her argument is contradictory. If she really did "not like doughnuts at all," she would not have eaten most of her doughnut in the first place. Maybe she meant to say she did not like that specific doughnut, or that she was full and she didn't want to finish that one, but not that she did not like them "at all."
Now, an example that lacks cohesion.
"Mommy, I no eat doughnut. I will not anymore. Mommy, I no like it. No doughnuts. Here. Not all."
I did not mention it above, but my daughter is only 2 years old, and her sentences are still chopped and lack clear connectors. We piece the parts together and understand her message because we know the context, but her speech is not cohesive. A stranger might have a harder time understanding what she says.
In academic writing pieces produced by students at any level, we can find signals of cohesion (the sentences and paragraphs flow seamlessly) and coherence (the ideas make sense). In many cases, the writing has room for cohesion and/or coherence improvement. For instance, once, a student of mine submitted an essay about life on Mars. His language was just fine, but his arguments against life on other planets was too much traffic, not enough health coverage, and the price of housing on Mars. His arguments were not coherent with the topic. Another student had better arguments. He mentioned the cost of the investment on scientific research, the poor atmospheric conditions, and the risks for human lives on Mars. Nonetheless, that second student needed to review the transitions between his paragraphs to make his essay flow more naturally. He needed to work on the cohesive devices.