Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Textuality - a key word in the study of language - is a patchwork composed of two fundamental elements: cohesion and coherence. Without cohesion, our words and ideas disintegrate into incomprehensible chaos. Without coherence, they float aimlessly in a fog of meaning. Both are essential pillars for the construction of cohesive, clear, and efficient texts. It is crucial for the Portuguese discipline and for students' advancement in the curriculum to understand these concepts and know how to identify and apply them in their textual productions.

Contextualization

In the vast universe of the Portuguese Language, the study of textual cohesion and coherence occupies an indispensable space. From the 6th grade, students are already familiar with the basic components of the text and deepen their knowledge, entering the complex world of textual structures. At this point, the Portuguese discipline expands its approach, working not only with isolated words but with the integration of words, sentences, and paragraphs in the construction of meanings. This theme serves as a foundation for the development of linguistic skills, such as critical reading, text interpretation, and textual production. Therefore, competence in cohesion and coherence not only enhances understanding and textual production but also contributes to the student's mastery of the language.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Textual Cohesion: Textual cohesion concerns the logical and formal connection of elements within a text. It is responsible for organizing and connecting ideas harmoniously, making reading more fluid and comprehensible. Examples of resources that confer textual cohesion are the repetition of terms, pronouns, conjunctions, and connectors. The lack of cohesion can generate textual incoherence.

  • Repetition: The repetition of words or expressions, as long as done carefully, helps to fix ideas, remember information, and give rhythm to the text.

  • Pronouns: Pronouns have the power to replace a term already mentioned, avoiding repetition and conferring fluidity to the text.

  • Conjunctions and Connectors: They are responsible for establishing relationships of meaning between two or more terms, clauses, or propositions, making the text more cohesive.

• Textual Coherence: Textual coherence refers to the logic, sense, reasonableness, and connection between ideas in a text. It is responsible for ensuring that the text makes sense to the reader, that is, that the ideas presented have a relationship with each other and with the real world. The lack of textual coherence can generate confusion for the reader, breaking the understanding of the text.

  • Progression and Intertextuality: Thematic progression is the principle by which the text moves, takes steps, advances. Each part connects with the other, forming a meaningful whole. Intertextuality, in turn, is the relationship between two or more texts, indispensable for establishing a dialogue, an argument, a comparison, etc.

Key Terms

• Text: The unit of meaning composed of words and sentences that intertwine and interrelate to convey a message.

• Cohesion: The integration of various linguistic resources (repetition, pronouns, conjunctions, and connectors) that enable the connection and understanding between parts of the text.

• Coherence: The unity and sense that permeate the entire text, corresponding to the logical and semantic relationship between its parts.

Examples and Cases

• Example of Textual Cohesion: "Maria bought a chocolate cake. The cake was delicious. She shared the cake with her friends." In this example, the pronoun "it" replaces the term "cake", ensuring textual cohesion.

• Example of Textual Coherence: "Today is Sunday. The beach is crowded. The cars are jammed." In this example, there is a temporal incoherence, as the beach tends to be crowded and cars jammed on weekends, not necessarily on Sunday. This incoherence breaks the unity of sense of the text.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Textual Cohesion is the organization and logical interconnection of the elements of the text, being essential for the comprehension and fluidity of reading. Its main resources are the repetition of terms, pronouns, conjunctions, and connectors.

• Textual Coherence refers to the logical and semantic connection of ideas in a text, ensuring that it makes sense to the reader. Important aspects are thematic progression and intertextuality.

• Repetition: It is a cohesive resource that can be used to emphasize an idea, create rhythm, and aid in memorization.

• Pronouns: Are used to replace terms already mentioned, avoiding repetition and strengthening textual cohesion.

• Conjunctions and Connectors: Establish relationships of meaning between terms, clauses, or propositions, contributing to textual cohesion.

• Thematic Progression: It is the way the text develops, takes steps, advances, integrating the parts into a significant whole.

• Intertextuality: Refers to the possible relationship between two or more texts, being fundamental for arguments, comparisons, and others.

Conclusions

• Competence in Textual Cohesion and Coherence is crucial for effective communication through writing and reading.

• The lack of cohesion and coherence in a text can lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the text.

• To achieve good textual cohesion and coherence, attention must be paid to the proper use of resources such as repetition, pronouns, conjunctions, and connectors.

• Regular practice in the study and use of these resources contributes to the improvement of language and written expression.

Exercises

1. Explain the importance of textual cohesion in a paragraph of 5 lines.

2. In the following text: "João won a toy. He liked the gift very much. He played all day with the toy." Identify the resource used to promote textual cohesion.

3. Rewrite the following text to correct the textual incoherence: "Yesterday was a holiday. The school was empty. The stores were open."