The 7 Standards of Textuality

What is Cohesion?

• Words and sentences that connect efficiently using grammar, vocabulary and references.

• It is when a text stays focused on one main idea without introducing new ones.

• It occurs when each paragraph starts with a topic sentence and ends with a concluding sentence.

• Cohesion means that all the vocabulary in the text belongs to the same semantic field.

What is Coherence?

• It refers to grammatical accuracy across all clauses and sentences.

• It is achieved when each paragraph begins with a transition word.

• The ideas follow a logical order and make sense as a whole.

• It means using synonyms to avoid repetition and improve fluency.

What is Intentionality?

• It means the writer carefully avoids ambiguity.

• When a text expresses emotions or personal feelings.

• The reader correctly interprets the message.

• The author or speaker has a clear purpose or goal in communicating.

What is acceptability?

• The text is appropriate, understandable and fits the reader's expectations.

• The reader agrees with the writer’s ideas.

• The text follows standardized grammar and academic conventions.

• It requires the text to have a formal register and academic tone.

What is Informativity?

• It is when the text includes statistics, dates, or numerical data.

• The text provides new, useful or interesting information.

• It means avoiding common knowledge and focusing only on technical terms.

• It is the use of highly specific vocabulary to demonstrate expert knowledge.

What is Situationality?

• It involves adjusting your language to reflect your personality.

• It is how a writer uses setting and atmosphere in a narrative.

• It means the text fits the time, place and context of the communication.

• The reader's mood aligns with the message of the text.

What is Intertextuality?

• It occurs when a writer repeats their main idea in every paragraph.

• It is when two people write about the same topic using the same facts.

• It is when a text stays within a single genre to maintain consistency.

• It refers to or echoes other texts, ideas or cultural references.