textual coherence it is the factor that makes it possible to understand the message conveyed in the text. Allied to cohesion, coherence has the function of constructing the meanings of textuality.
Through coherence, the concatenation of ideas in the text occurs. That is, the formation of a chain of ideas.
The text that obeys the coherence transmits a logical relation of ideas that complement each other, not contradict each other and give meaning to the message. When the text is coherent, the interlocutor apprehends the meanings of the text.
The lack of it affects the meaning of the text, impairs the relationship with the interlocutor, the continuity of meanings and understanding.
Types of Textual Coherence
Narrative Coherence
In this type of text, a logic between actions and characters is obeyed. Each action follows a time that allows knowing the order of events without contradictions.
Example:
He called at night to calm her despair. He sat down on the worn leather sofa, turned on the lamp in the already dark room. He called for darling, cried for forgiveness. He recounted the day and promised to reduce the gaps that separated them. The conversation was hungry. He got up and searched for the last remnants of dinner. She was sated with a glass of hot milk prepared while he swore to her that they would be broken the next morning.
Argumentative Coherence
Examples, opinions and data used as arguments to support the conclusion are presented.
It is also necessary to follow a logical sequence of events to support the argument and make it possible to understand the conclusion.
Example:
School violence is a problem that involves the entire community. From the family nucleus to living in society, the State, however, is responsible for offering the necessary conditions to reduce the problem to its near elimination.
It is up to society to interfere so that the State plays its role in a satisfactory manner and prevents problems such as violence at school from harming the development of the community. In short, the problem will only end with the joint involvement of society and the State.
Descriptive Coherence
These texts provide a portrait of people, things and environments with details about their particularities.
Figures are used that match the scene, the environment and the time where the characters and events are located.
Example:
It was so hot that day that the clothes seemed to stick to the skin. Every step on the sidewalk was a challenge to well-being due to the temperature of the tile. Even so, she left early and went shopping for her birthday for the night's surprise. Not even the heat would be enough to stop the party.
Principles of Textual Coherence
Principle of non-contradiction
It occurs when ideas do not contradict each other and the logic of the text is uninterrupted.
Principle of non-tautology
It occurs when the same term is not exhaustively repeated, damaging the message and making the text intelligible.
Relevance principle
It occurs when the interlocutor perceives obedience to the relation of ideas in a sequence. There is no break.
When the ordering is incorrect, even if the messages have isolated meanings, the understanding of the meanings of the text is impaired.
Entrance Exam Exercises
1. (FCC-2007) The use of the underlined element compromises the coherence of the sentence:
a) Every age has the teenagers it deserves, because these are influenced by socially dominant values.
b) Young people have lost the ability to dream big, therefore some still resist modern pragmatism.
c) In modern times, dreaming is sorely missed by teenagers, as well as nurture confidence in your own creative capacity.
d) Unless if you change some cultural paradigms, subsequent generations will be as conformist as the current one.
e) There are those who are discouraged by the young people of today, for how much they seem to lack the ability to dream higher.
Alternative b) Young people have lost the ability to dream big, therefore some still resist modern pragmatism.
2. (UFPR-2010) The law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force. Check the alternative whose text can be concluded coherently with this statement.
a) Sara Mendes started a legal process, so that Tiago Costa assumes the paternity of her son Cássio. Tiago did not take the DNA test, but assumes that he is very likely the boy's father. Cassio claims that the examination is not conclusive, as the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
b) Adriano is a very presumptuous boy and he won't admit that he is charged for anything. His girlfriend asked him for a DNA test, to clarify the paternity of Amanda, her daughter. Adriano said he wouldn't take the exam. The girlfriend said that all this presumption would serve for the judge to certify paternity, because the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
c) Carlos de Almeida responds to court case for not wanting to recognize the son of Diana Santos, his ex-girlfriend, as his own. Carlos refused to take the DNA test, which allows the judge to draw up the sentence that appoints him as the child's father, because the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
d) Alessandro assumes that Caio is his son. She suggested Telma a DNA test. Telma said it was not necessary, because the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
e) Mário and Felipe are cousins. Mario is extremely vain, pretentious. Felipe is a calm and very simple guy. The two dated Teresa at the same time. Teresa had a daughter and went to court to demand a DNA test from the two cousins. The judge said it was not necessary because the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
Alternative c) Carlos de Almeida responds to court case for not wanting to recognize the son of Diana Santos, his ex-girlfriend, as his own. Carlos refused to take the DNA test, which allows the judge to draw up the sentence that appoints him as the child's father, because the law that converts men's refusal to take a DNA test into a presumption of paternity entered into force.
3. (Udesc-2008) Identify the order in which the periods should appear so that they form a cohesive and coherent text. (Text by Marcelo Marthe: Tattoo with nonsense. See, March 5th. 2008, p. 86.)
I. They are no longer made in precarious places, but in large studios where hygiene is taken care of.
II. The techniques have been refined: there are more colors available, the pigments are of better quality and tools such as lasers have made it much simpler to erase a tattoo you no longer want.
III. Finally, the days when the concept of tattooing was reduced to the old sailor's anchor are long gone.
IV. In the last ten or fifteen years, getting a tattoo has ceased to be a symbol of rebelliousness in a marginal lifestyle.
Check the alternative that contains the correct sequence in which periods should appear.
a) II, I, III, IV
b) IV, II, III, I
c) IV, I, II, III
d) III, I, IV, II
e) I, III, II, IV
Alternative c) IV, I, II, II
Read too:
- Cohesion and Coherence
- Textual Cohesion
- Referential Cohesion
- Sequential Cohesion
