WHAT ARE COHERENCE MECHANISMS? (WITH EXAMPLES) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The coherence mechanisms are the forms or tools that the language has to guarantee that a text makes sense and is understood by the majority with the same meaning for which it was written.

A text is coherent when the ideas it conveys complement each other, without contradicting each other. A text is incoherent when it communicates contradictory ideas or information, so that its message is confusing.

Coherence mechanisms allow the text to be congruent, easily understood and not confusing to the reader. Consistency is critical for comprehension, reading fluency, and even persuasion.

Communication has three elements, which are: the sender (person who speaks or writes), the receiver (person who listens or reads) and the message, which is the subject, the information, the content that travels from the sender to the receiver..

This message has an intrinsic and fundamental value that is the meaning. This meaning is open to interpretation by the receiver. That is, not all recipients will understand the same or perceive the same meaning in a message.

In order for all receivers (audience) to grasp the meaning that the sender wanted to convey, the message must be as clear as possible and, for this, it must be consistent.

Without coherence when speaking or writing, communication would be complicated, since the receiver of the message could not translate, assimilate or interpret what the sender wants to transmit.

To achieve that cohesion and understanding of texts, they must have a structure, both in form and semantics.

For example: in any written text it must be possible to recognize a main or general idea, around which secondary ideas revolve or emerge that complement, reinforce and explain it.

All parts of the text have to be related to each other and refer to the same topic. In written language, coherence mechanisms are tools (words) that serve as a link to weave the different parts of the text together and make sense of it.

Tools to give coherence to a text

There are various tools or markers that exist to give coherence to a text. The most common ones are listed below with their respective examples.

1- Causal links

They are links that refer to the causes or reasons for a certain event and that lead to a consequence or effect.

Connectors of this type are: because, since, since, because, since, by reason of, etc.

Examples:

"The temperature dropped because the sun went down."

"The reddest apples are the ones in the top of the tree, since they are the ones that receive the most sun."

"He could not arrive on time, because his flight was delayed."

2- Certainty connectors

They are links that serve to reaffirm a knowledge exposed by the issuer / author. They give more weight to the statement, by reinforcing it.

These connectors are: in fact, of course, surely, obviously, of course, of course, etc.

Examples:

“Mozart was a genius of music; in fact he began to play piano at the age of three and to compose works when he was only five years old ”.

"Having remained for millions of years under the ice, the fossil will surely be very well preserved."

3- Consecutive connectors

These connectors link two actions and describe that one is a consequence of the other. Some of them are: consequently, so, for this reason, for it, etc.

Examples:

“The great floods brought many diseases and infections; consequently, the mortality rate increased that year ”.

"The car suffered a malfunction on the road, so we will have to detour to find a mechanic."

4- Temporary connectors

These connectors locate the action in time, allowing the reader to know when and in what order things happen.

Some of these words are: before, after, during, at the same time, at the end, at the beginning, then, successively, etc.

Examples:

"I woke up before the rooster crowed."

"He supported me throughout my convalescence."

"At first it was difficult for him to adapt, but then he was able to carry out each task smoothly."

5- Opponents or opponents

They show opposition or antagonism between the ideas presented. Some of these connectors are: but, however, on the contrary, instead, nevertheless, although, except, or, etc.

Examples:

“The day was too cold to be outdoors; however, she began to walk carefree "

"Boys are not unfriendly; on the contrary, I found them to be very polite and pleasant ”.

“Half of the villagers agreed with the execution; instead, the other half preferred a fair trial ”.

"You can do very well or very badly."

6- Additives

These mechanisms link ideas that are added in the discourse. The most common are: and, in addition, additionally, also, more, etc.

Examples:

"I wanted to sunbathe and take a bath on the beach."

"I don't feel like going to the party, plus I don't have anything to wear."

Please fill out this form; additionally indicate if you have any type of disease ”.

7- Conditionals

They are those that establish a condition or a requirement for the action that the statement is about to be carried out.

The most widely used connector of this type is the "if" conditional, in addition to others such as: since, whenever, so, etc.

Examples:

"If you behave well, I'll give you a candy."

"The park will remain open as long as there are people visiting it."

"The bread ran out, so I'm going to the bakery to buy more."

8- Amplifiers

They are connectors that serve to expand, deepen or continue the explanation; add content to the same idea.

The most common are: in addition, also, more still, even, in the same way, also, on the other hand, additionally, even, etc.

Examples:

"He was nervous and also had not slept well the night before."

“The structures are safe; even more so after having reinforced them ”.

"Hotel capacity is saturated, even during the low season."

"I think we will win this test, we also have a very good average."

9- Exemplifiers

They are those who connect the idea with a case that exemplifies it. The most common connector of this type is "for example", although there are also others such as verbi gratia, namely below, etc.

Examples:

"There are many shades of green, for example: olive green, apple green and emerald green."

"The class has been repeated many times, verbi gratia, last Tuesday."

"There are the most outstanding students, namely: Carlos, Gustavo and Juan."

10- Conclusion

Connectors used to close an idea and indicate the completion of the text. Several are used such as: in summary, in conclusion, to close, in short, therefore, thus, according to this, etc.

Example:

"In conclusion, we hope they have understood what the coherence mechanisms are."

References

1. Textual coherence. Recovered from es.wikipedia.org
2. Jesus Aguilar. Coherence mechanisms. Recovered from academia.edu
3. Carmen Leñero (1990). Interclausular relating elements in the cultured speech of Mexico City. National Autonomous University of Mexico. Mexico
4. Coherence and cohesion mechanisms. Recovered from blogkademia.wordpress.com
5. Coherence mechanisms. Recovered from prepafacil.com
6. Reading Oral & Written Expression. Coherence mechanisms. Recovered from literature cbtis.jimdo.com