rhetorical and cohesive elements of language

Question

Hi everyone,I am not sure if I am posting to the right sub-forum, but if not, please forgive me.  I am having a debate with someone and the discussion has come around to linguistics, which I have zero knowledge of.  Can someone tell me, in layman terms so that I can understand, what are rhetorical and cohesive elements of language?  Thanks in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Not an easy question. Basically, rhetoric is the logic of the text and cohesion is the grammar. From [url= http://www.brandle.com.au/structur.htm]THIS SOURCE[/url]:

Rhetorical Effects

A strong rhetorical structure ensures that each new item of information is justified; that it is there for a reason, so that the reader is led by the hand through an inevitable series of steps.

A weak rhetorical structure can leave a new item of information to sink out of sight, unless by chance it falls into a net meant for some other purpose; new items of information are not always given a role to play in the development of the story, so the reader is distracted into irrelevancies. Poor rhetorical structure leaves the reader asking "Why are you telling me this?"

Cohesive Effects

A strong cohesive structure ensures that each item of information is identifiable; that it has a past and a future, so that its place in the unfolding text is always clear.

A weak cohesive structure can leave an item of information to be swamped, with little chance of being separated from other items; textual references are often confused, so the reader must work at untangling knots. Poor cohesive structure leaves the reader asking "What is going on?"

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for these wonderful explanations!

rhetorical and cohesive elements of language

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Rhetorical Effects