For your Asynchronous Activity
JULY 22, 2025
EXPLAINING COHERENCE AND COHESION
Coherence: Refers to the logical flow and clarity of ideas in a text. It ensures that the writing makes sense as a whole.
Cohesion: Refers to the use of linguistic devices to link sentences and paragraphs together, making the text easy to follow.
Poor Example:
Renewable energy is important. Fossil fuels are running out. Solar and wind power are good. They help the environment. Countries are using them more. It’s a trend now.
Good example:
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important as fossil fuels like coal and oil are depleting and causing environmental harm. Solar and wind power, in particular, are beneficial because they help reduce pollution and provide sustainable energy. As a result, many countries are adopting these renewable sources more widely. This shift towards renewable energy is not just a trend but a necessary step for a healthier planet.
ACTIVITY 1: TRACK IT!
Instruction: Read the provided poem and identify areas lacking coherence and cohesion. Then, in a short bond paper, rearrange and rewrite the poem. Please be sure to use transition devices to achieve coherence and cohesion. Write a short reflection using the processing questions below.
"The Sun and the Moon"
The sun rises in the east,
Bright and warm, it shines.
Birds sing songs of joy,
In the forest, green and tall.
The moon glows softly,
Stars twinkle in the night.
The river flows gently,
Mountains stand high and proud.
In the city, cars rush by,
People hurry to and fro.
The sun sets in the west,
Leaving shadows long and deep.
PROCESSING QUESTIONS:
1. Where does the text lose logical flow?
2. Are there any sentences or paragraphs that seem out of place?
3. What transitions or linking words are missing or could be improved?
Answer (1)
Analysis of Coherence and Cohesion Issues:The poem jumps between contrasting scenes (day and night, nature and city) without a clear connection. The transition from descriptions of the sun and birds to the moon and stars feels abrupt. The introduction of the river and mountains in the second stanza feels disconnected from the initial focus on the sun/moon and the eventual mention of the city.The lines about the river and mountains feel somewhat out of place. While they are natural elements, they don't directly contribute to the poem's implied theme of contrasting day and night, or nature versus city. The city lines seem forced and disrupt the flow.The poem lacks transitional phrases to connect the stanzas and individual lines. There are no words to indicate contrast, consequence, or similarity.Rewritten Poem (with Improved Coherence and Cohesion):The sun rises in the east,Bright and warm, it shines its light.Birds sing songs of joy and glee,In the forest, green and tall, a vibrant sight.As the sun sets in the west,Leaving shadows long and deep to see,The moon glows softly in the sky,While stars above twinkle in the night.Though the river flows gently on,And mountains stand high, reaching up so proud,In the city, cars rush by so fast,People hurry to and fro in the busy crowd.Explanation of ChangesTransitional Phrases - Added phrases like "As the sun sets", "Though the river flows gently on" to create smoother transitions between stanzas and introduce contrasting elements.Logical Grouping - Grouped the setting sun and moon lines together to reinforce the day-night contrast.Improved Flow - Introduced the city lines with "Though.." to acknowledge the contrast and connect the natural world with the urban environment.Added Details - Added details like "...a vibrant sight", "...to see", "...in the busy crowd" to enhance imagery and create a more cohesive picture.Short Reflection (Based on Processing Questions)The original poem lost logical flow by abruptly switching between day and night scenes and introducing unrelated natural elements. Sentences about the river and mountains felt disconnected from the overall theme. Transitions were missing to connect the contrasting descriptions of nature and city, leaving the poem feeling disjointed. The revised poem uses transitional phrases and groups similar images to create a more cohesive and meaningful whole.
