Writing with Intentionality: Master Cohesion and Textual Coherence

Objectives

1. Understand the concepts of cohesion and coherence in texts.

2. Recognize the importance of intentionality in writing.

3. Develop practical skills to produce clear and well-structured texts.

Contextualization

Intentionality in a text acts like a conductor that ensures harmony among the elements of communication. In writing, intentionality is fundamental for ideas to be expressed clearly and cohesively, avoiding confusion and misunderstandings. For instance, an advertising copywriter needs to use intentionality to create texts that not only inform but also persuade and motivate specific actions. Similarly, lawyers utilize this skill to build convincing arguments in their petitions and defenses.

Relevance of the Theme

In today's context, the ability to write intentionally is highly valued in various professions. Whether in advertising, law, or digital content development, the capacity to produce cohesive and coherent texts is essential for effective communication. This skill not only enhances the clarity of messages but also increases the persuasive capacity and engagement of the target audience.

Cohesion

Cohesion is the property of a text that ensures the connection between words, sentences, and paragraphs, creating a logical and fluent link. Cohesion is achieved through the use of connectors, pronouns, synonyms, and other linguistic resources that allow for the progression of ideas clearly and in an orderly fashion.

• Use of connectors: Connectors like 'and', 'but', 'therefore' help link sentences and paragraphs.

• Employment of pronouns: Pronouns like 'he', 'she', 'it' replace previously mentioned nouns, avoiding unnecessary repetitions.

• Lexical substitutions: Usage of synonyms and equivalent expressions to avoid repetitions and enrich the text.

Coherence

Coherence is the property that ensures the ideas in a text are organized logically and consistently, allowing the reader to easily understand them. Coherence depends on the organization of information and the clarity of the arguments presented.

• Logical organization: Ideas should be presented in a sequence that makes sense, facilitating understanding.

• Thematic consistency: The text must maintain a clear focus, avoiding deviations and contradictions.

• Clarity of arguments: Arguments and information should be presented clearly and directly, without ambiguity.

Intentionality

Intentionality is the driving force that guides the creation of a text, defining its purpose and directing the choice of words and structures. It ensures that the author has a clear objective when writing, whether to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.

• Clear purpose: Definition of a specific objective for the text.

• Choice of strategies: Selection of linguistic and structural resources that support the text's purpose.

• Audience adaptation: Consideration of the target audience and adjustment of language and style as necessary.

Practical Applications

• Advertising Writing: Copywriters use cohesion, coherence, and intentionality to create ads that not only inform but also persuade the audience to take action, like buying a product or subscribing to a service.
• Legal Defenses: Lawyers structure their petitions and defenses in a cohesive and coherent manner, using intentionality to build compelling arguments that can influence the judge's decision.
• Digital Content Development: Scriptwriters and digital content designers use these concepts to create engaging and intuitive narratives in games, apps, and websites, improving user experience.

Key Terms

• Cohesion: The property of a text that ensures connection and fluency between words, sentences, and paragraphs.

• Coherence: The property that guarantees the logic and consistency of ideas in a text.

• Intentionality: A clear purpose that guides the creation of a text, influencing the choice of words and structures.

Questions

• How does intentionality impact the clarity and persuasion of a text?

• What cohesion and coherence strategies do you consider most effective in text production?

• Can you identify everyday examples where the lack of cohesion and coherence hindered the understanding of a message? How does this affect communication?

Conclusion

To Reflect

Throughout this lesson, we explored the importance of intentionality in writing and how it guides the construction of cohesive and coherent texts. Understanding and applying these concepts is essential for producing clear, effective, and persuasive texts in both academic and professional settings. The ability to write with cohesion and coherence is a powerful tool that can be utilized in various professions, from advertising to law and digital content development. By mastering these techniques, you will be better prepared to face the challenges of written communication and stand out in any field that requires clear and structured communication.

Mini Challenge - Practical Challenge: Reviewing for Cohesion and Coherence

To consolidate your understanding of cohesion, coherence, and intentionality, you will undertake a practical text review activity.

• Choose a short text (100-150 words) that you recently wrote.
• Review the text, identifying and correcting possible cohesion and coherence issues. Use connectors, pronouns, and synonyms to improve fluency and clarity.
• Ensure that the text has a clear purpose and is appropriate for the target audience.
• Write a brief explanation (50-100 words) about the changes made and how they improved the text.