Notes on Text and Discourse: Connected Discourse, Coherence and Cohesion

Checking of Requirements

Learners are to describe a written text as connected discourse (ENII/12RWS-Illa-I)

Review the pictures.
- You will be shown a screen with four photographs after you start the game
- Guess the theme
- Below the pictures, you will see black spaces indicating how many letters are in the word

Text is anything that conveys a set of meanings to the person who examines it.
Example fragment present: "Qeworqoiutiqv oiqn uiuw9v590 q38c9r0eroinbtpu09c9we mf9en 8 b3bq4i 09 Is this a text?" (illustrative junk text)

It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her; and to her it was equally evident that she was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; Is this a text?
NEXT 15km. Is this a text? Is this a text?

What do the images above represent?
Decide whether they constitute a text or not. Justify your answer.
Note: Images are not inherently structured by grammatical rules; meaning-making through images can convey ideas, emotions, and narratives

Example: "☑ my other came funny. What I POW! ZOOM" (fragment illustrating text/discourse units)

In linguistics, discourse refers to a unit of language longer than a single sentence.
Etymology: from Latin prefix dis- meaning "away" and root currere meaning "to run" → discourse translates to "run away" and refers to how conversations flow.
To study discourse is to analyze the use of spoken or written language in a social context.

Discourse is the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas in an orderly and organized manner.
It deals not only with the grammar aspect of a language but also with the features of the text and the relationship of words to one another.

Argumentation: the goal is to persuade or stimulate thought by challenging assumptions and turning words on their heads.
Narration: focused on providing trustworthy, straightforward storytelling with reliable narration.
Description: provides vivid detail about people, places, and things to create a mental image or transport the reader.
Exposition: aims to explain something to someone else, conveying complex ideas through analogy, example, and argument.

To inform: descriptive and comprehensive discussion that points out what one should know about a topic.
To persuade: aims to convince the reader that a claim or solution is better than alternatives.
To entertain: provides amusement and engagement for readers.

Debate: about swaying or proving the point; patterns and arguments to win or be right.
Discussion: involves investigation or a legal trial mindset; can include competition and seeking the moral high ground (advocacy wars).
Perspectivetaking: understanding another's point of view.
Problem-solving: inquiry to understand; seeks to clarify and gather information.
Empathetic listening: focuses on the speaker's words and feelings.

TEXT: made up of sentences; typically a physical product.
DISCOURSE: use of sentences to convey information interactively; context and reader interaction matter.
In text: grammatical cohesion is the focus; in discourse: coherence and interaction are central.
Text can be written or spoken; discourse encompasses language in action across modes.

Text is a written form of communication that is non-interactive by nature; discourse is a communicative form that is interactive.
Agent (who communicates) is not crucial for text; agent is crucial for discourse due to interaction.
Text analysis focuses on written form; discourse analysis on language in action and interpretation within interaction.

Grammatical cohesion and sentence structure are often analyzed in text analysis.
In discourse analysis, the social purposes, actors, and media are analyzed.
Texts can be in written, verbal, visual, or audio form (e.g., press reports, street signs, documents).
Discourse can include dialogues, conversations, and interactions in audio-visual programs.

Text becomes connected discourse when we use transitions to link ideas and sentences.

Example: "Trains collide, two die. No ID, no entry." The first part explains cause; the second part shows effect; a conditional relation exists between the two parts, illustrating coherence via cause-effect linkage.

Cohesion is about ties and connections within the text (grammatical and lexical links).
Coherence is about the overall sense-making and logical flow in which ideas connect in a reader’s mind.
Cohesion alone is not sufficient for understanding; coherence requires interpretation and reader engagement with the text.
A well-connected discourse combines cohesive ties with a coherent overall structure.

Paragraphs and sentences may use cohesive chains (pronouns, conjuncts, reference) but still fail to be coherent if ideas don’t logically follow.
A well-constructed piece uses transitions to reveal relationships such as sequence, cause-effect, and comparison.
In exams or writing, aim for clear topic sentences, logical progression, explicit transitions, and precise references to maintain both cohesion and coherence.

Text: a physical or digital product of communication, potentially non-interactive, focused on the linguistic form.
Discourse: a process and social activity where meaning is derived through interaction with readers/listeners and context.
Both are related, but understanding discourse requires looking beyond sentences to how ideas are organized and interpreted in real communicative situations.