Coherence and Academic Writing: Some Definitions and Suggestions for Teaching

Coherence in written text is a complex concept, involving a multitude of reader- and text-based features. Perhaps because of this, we writing instructors and the textbooks we use often discuss coherence in a vague or incomplete manner. This article reviews current coherence literature, defines coherence in broad terms, then presents a three-lesson revision unit based on modern coherence principles. In this unit, ESL students deconstruct the assignment prompt and prepare their own first drafts of an essay response. Then they examine a fellow student's first draft from the top down, evaluating the thesis in relationship to the prompt and to the assertions within the essay and analyzing the information structure intended to guide readers through the text. Conclusions are drawn about the success of this group revision technique and the necessity for providing sequential exercises to improve coherence.