Unit 7: The Structure of Sentences
7.6 Cohesion
Because of their role as markers and links, closed class words play an important part in the COHESION of texts. Cohesion refers to all the factors which contribute to the unity of a text and therefore assist in its comprehension or effectiveness. These include linkage, substitution, ellipsis, and, at the stylistic level, various types of repetition. Such factors operate cohesively because they draw attention to the connexions between various parts of a text.
7.6.1. Linkage
The most obvious form of linkage is the conjunctions we have just been examining. One reason why text (1a) was unsatisfactory was because of the absence of such links. Linkage is also provided by attitude and connective adverbs in the A slot. In (1b) the link between sentences 2 and 3 was made clearer by the addition of the connective adverb later, which indicates a time sequence.
7.6.2. Substitution
PROFORM is a term for all substituting forms, including PROnouns. These work cohesively because they demand some mental effort on the part of the reader/listener, who has to make the connexion between the proform and the open class word which has the same referent. Usually the open class word occurs earlier in the text. It is known as the ANTECEDENT and the process of referring back to it is called ANAPHORA. Normally we do this without conscious effort: "They" in sentence 2 in (1b) clearly refers to "Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway". Sometimes, however, there can be ambiguity. Who does "he" refer to in:
10. I saw John, who was chatting to Dick. He was wearing a blue cap.
11a. By the way, we're going to the cinema tomorrow.
11b. "Let's go over the passenger list once more," said Jessop.
The Frenchman reached out a hand, picked it out of a wire basket and set it before his colleague. The two men pored over it together.
Agatha Christie Destination Unknown
In (10) either John or Dick could be the intended referent. In (11a) we may or may not include the listener. In (11b) a rather gruesome effect is unintentionally produced.
Dummy "do" is sometimes referred to as a PRO-VERB in its auxiliary functions. Sometimes it replaces several elements in the clause:
12. I told you that yesterday. So you did (tell me that yesterday).
7.6.3. Ellipsis
Ellipsis requires the same sort of mental effort as substitution, since the reader has to supply the missing element. A missing element qualifies as ellipsis only if the majority of speakers of the language agree about what is missing:
13. He settled down and /\ wrote three plays.
14. I bought a green jumper, and a brown one, and a blue /\.
In (13) he is obviously omitted; in (14) one (is obviously omitted).
7.6.3. Repetition
Repetition generally involves open class words or larger structures such as phrases and clauses. Unlike the previous cohesive factors, it is less a matter of grammatical necessity or convention than one of authorial choice.
