Cohesion

Think of cohesion as the glue that holds your sentences together. It's about using the mechanics of language to create a smooth flow between ideas. Here are some ways to achieve cohesion:

• Pronouns: Referring back to previously mentioned nouns with pronouns like "he," "she," or "it."
• Repetition: Using key terms throughout the text to remind the reader of important concepts.
• Connectives: Words and phrases like "however," "furthermore," or "consequently" that show the relationship between ideas.
• Parallelism: Structuring sentences in a similar way to emphasize connections.
• Cohesion Error: An example of a cohesion error would be jumping from talking about cats to suddenly discussing dinosaurs without any transition or explanation for the shift.

Coherence

Here's where the big picture comes in. Coherence refers to the overall logical flow of ideas. A coherent text has a clear central point and all the parts work together to support that point. It's about making sense!

Coherence Error: An example of a coherence error would be starting an essay about the benefits of exercise and then ending with a detailed recipe for chocolate cake. The two ideas aren't connected and the reader is left confused.

Grammar

This is the foundation of written language. It covers things like subject-verb agreement, proper punctuation use, and following sentence structure rules.

Grammar Error: A grammar error could be something simple like forgetting a comma or a more complex issue like using the wrong verb tense.

Style

Style is about the author's unique voice and how they choose to express their ideas. It can be formal, informal, humorous, or serious.

Style Error: A style error isn't necessarily a mistake, but it might be a choice that clashes with the intended tone or message. For instance, using overly technical language in a casual blog post could be considered a style error.

The OBAI app allows you to check for those errors in your own text, your students, and clients. Remember that effective writing requires attention to all these aspects. Strong cohesion and coherence ensure your message is clear and easy to follow, while good grammar makes it polished and professional. Style helps you develop your own voice and connect with your audience.