This study aims to analyze the use of cohesion and coherence in the online news article entitled “Our Dreams and Hopes Have Been Swept Away by the Flood” published by BBC News Indonesia. The study employed a descriptive qualitative method with a discourse analysis approach. The findings revealed a total of 13 linguistic issues, consisting of 8 cohesion issues and 5 coherence issues. These findings indicate that although the news article successfully presents factual and up-to-date information regarding the experiences of flood and landslide survivors, several linguistic aspects still require improvement to ensure greater textual unity, clarity, and readability. Therefore, the proper application of cohesion and coherence is essential in producing news texts that are clear, logical, systematic, and easily understood by readers.
In today's digital era, online mass media is evolving at an ever-increasing pace, particularly in the presentation of news texts. Online news not only serves the purpose of conveying information but also plays a role in shaping public opinion. Therefore, the linguistic quality in news texts is of great importance, particularly in the aspects of cohesion and coherence, so that the information can be fully understood by the reader. Cohesion and coherence are two main components in the formation of a good discourse, as both determine the unity of form and meaning in a text. Theoretically, cohesion is defined as the grammatical or lexical connection of elements within a text, while coherence represents the relationship of meaning or the unity of ideas in a discourse. This is in line with the research of (Lestari, 2019), which states that cohesion is a unit of forms that builds syntactic relationships in discourse, while coherence is the meaning relationship between sentences that forms a complete unit of ideas. Thus, the existence of cohesion and coherence becomes an important indicator for determining the quality of a text, including news texts.
In the context of news articles, cohesion and coherence are becoming increasingly important, as news is required to convey facts clearly, concisely, and understandably for different reader groups. In accordance with the research (Efendi et al., 2023), cohesion and coherence play an important role in news texts, as the message conveyed by the author can only be well understood if the sentences exhibit good consistency. This shows that the quality of news is determined not only by the content but also by the way the language is conveyed. However, in reality, there are still many texts that do not optimally meet the rules of cohesion and coherence. In their research, (Syahriandi et al., 2023) show that in various texts, including student works, incoherences between sentences and paragraphs are still found, which make the message unclear. Furthermore, the research by (Sakrim & Ulfa, 2021) shows that coherence between sentences and paragraphs is very important for the text to be understood and to systematically reflect the author's thought process.
This phenomenon can also be found in online news texts, including reports that address humanitarian issues such as natural disasters. An example of this is the news from BBC News Indonesia titled "New Year's Eve 2026 from the Perspective of the Survivors of the Sumatra Flood: 'Our Dreams and Hopes Were Swept Away by the Flood'." This news is interesting to examine because it contains the emotional narrative of the survivors, conveyed through the structure of the news article. The analysis of cohesion and coherence in this text is important to understand the extent to which linguistic consistency is used to convey social reality and the experiences of disaster victims. Based on this description, it can be concluded that cohesion and coherence are important elements in creating high-quality news articles. Some previous studies show that without good cohesion and coherence, the message in the text may potentially not be effectively conveyed. Therefore, the analysis of cohesion and coherence in online news texts becomes relevant to understand how linguistic integrity plays a role in information transmission, especially in the context of humanitarian news
Cohesion and coherence are two important elements that ensure information is conveyed clearly and easily understandable. Cohesion is the relationship between language elements in the text, which is demonstrated through the use of words or sentences that are connected, such as pronouns, repetitions, and conjunctions, so that the sentences appear coherent. Meanwhile, coherence is the relationship of meaning between sentences, which logically and coherently arranges the content of the messages, for example, based on temporal order, cause-effect, or explanation. In general, cohesion plays a role in the uniformity of language form, while coherence plays a role in the uniformity of meaning, so both complement each other to form a good news text. According to (Amin et al., 2016), cohesion is a formal aspect of language in discourse that shows the visible relationships in form, namely how sentences are coherently and concisely arranged through syntactic organisations to produce a complete utterance. In this case, cohesion encompasses the relationships that form between understanding.
In accordance with the opinion of (Amin et al., 2016), (Nurfitriani et al., 2018) emphasise that cohesion is the harmony of the relationship between the individual elements in the discourse, so that a good and complete understanding arises. Cohesion refers to the connection of linguistic forms, such as the use of pronouns, repetitions, and conjunctions, which link sentences together. Meanwhile, coherence refers to the connection of meanings, that is, the logical relationship between sentences, so that the ideas are arranged in an orderly and easily understandable manner. A good discourse generally has cohesion and coherence, as each sentence does not stand alone but is connected with one another, forming a unit of meaning. (Afandi et al., 2023) add that cohesion is generally divided into two types, namely grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion. Grammatical cohesion includes conjunctions as linking words, substitutions as word replacements, and ellipses as omissions of already mentioned elements. Meanwhile, lexical cohesion includes repetition, synonyms (similar meanings), antonyms (opposite meanings), hyponyms (general-specific relationships), meronyms (part-whole relationships), as well as collocations (word combinations in specific contexts). Coherence is divided into additive and causal relationships, with causal relationships including cause, reason, method, consequence, goal, condition, and concession.
According to (Maulana et al., 2019), coherence is the meaningful connection or logical relationship in a text that occurs both between sentences and between paragraphs, making the conveyed ideas appear coherent and easily understandable. Coherence arises from semantic relationships between the parts of the text, such as cause-effect relationships, reason-cause relationships, condition-result relationships, and means-purpose relationships, which show the logical progression of an event. Furthermore, there are also comparison and metaphorical relationships to clarify meaning, additive relationships that are both temporal (simultaneous or sequential) and non-temporal to add information, as well as generic-specific and identification relationships to explain from the general to the specific. Coherence can also arise through paraphrastic and amplificative relationships, which serve to clarify or reiterate ideas, as well as through background-consequence relations and loose-coupling-result relations, which illustrate the line of thought up to the conclusion, ensuring that all parts of the text are coherent and uninterrupted. Therefore, it can be concluded that cohesion and coherence are two interconnected and inseparable elements in creating a good news text. Cohesion serves to create the uniformity of language form through grammatical and lexical relationships, while coherence ensures the uniformity of meaning, so that the information is logically and coherently arranged. The various opinions of the experts essentially agree that without cohesion and coherence, a discourse will be difficult to understand, as it lacks clear connections both in terms of form and meaning. Therefore, the presence of cohesion and coherence is the main key to producing a complete, clear, and easily understandable news text for readers.
In discourse studies, cohesion is one of the important aspects that determine the coherence of a text. Cohesion not only serves as a connection between linguistic elements but also as a marker for logical relationships that form the unity of meaning in a text. Without good cohesion, a text will lose the connection between its parts, making it difficult for the reader to understand. Therefore, cohesion is a fundamental element in the creation of texts, including news articles, which require clarity and accuracy of information. According to (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion is a formal element of language that occurs in discourses or texts and serves as a means to create structured and clear sentences for the expression of statements. This opinion shows that cohesion not only plays a role at the level of form but also contributes to the effective transmission of meaning. In the context of news articles, the correct use of cohesion will help the author structure the information in an orderly manner, so that readers can easily follow the flow of the news. In accordance with this, Ardiyanti & Setyorini (2019) explain that the appropriate use of cohesion in news texts will help ensure that the information is clearly and non-confusingly structured. On the other hand, if cohesion is not used properly, the text will be jumpy and difficult to understand. This emphasises that cohesion plays an important role in maintaining continuity between sentences and paragraphs, thereby creating a coherent discourse unit. Thus, the quality of a news text is greatly influenced by the accuracy of the use of cohesive elements within it.
More precisely, cohesion consists of two types, namely grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion. Grammatical cohesion refers to sentence structure, such as the use of references, substitutions, ellipses, and conjunctions. Meanwhile, lexical cohesion refers to the meaning relationships between words, such as repetitions and collocations. These two types of cohesion complement each other in building text coherence, allowing the conveyed information to be fully absorbed by the reader. Based on this description, it can be concluded that cohesion plays an important role in creating structural and semantic relationships between the parts of the text, resulting in a complete and coherent unit of discourse. Therefore, a good discourse, especially a news text, must contain the right cohesion elements so that the conveyed information is not only clear but also easily understandable and does not provoke different interpretations among readers.
In discourse studies, coherence is an important aspect that is related to the uniformity of meaning in a text. In contrast to cohesion, which emphasises the formal relationships between language elements, coherence places more value on the semantic relationships or meanings between the parts of the text. Coherence ensures that each sentence in the text is logically connected, creating a unified idea. In a news article, coherence is of great importance, as the news must present information in an orderly, clear, and easily understandable manner for the readers. According to (Nurkholifah et al., 2021), coherence is a linguistic principle that refers to the meaningful connections between the parts of a text. Coherence regulates the relationship between ideas, facts, and concepts, creating a logical sequence. With coherence, readers can more easily grasp the conveyed messages, as the information is systematically arranged. This opinion emphasises that coherence in news texts serves to maintain the continuity of information, so there are no jumps in ideas that could confuse the readers. Therefore, it can be concluded that coherence plays a very important role in establishing the integrity of meaning in news texts. Coherence ensures that each part of the text is logically and consistently connected, resulting in a coherent and easily understandable discourse. Therefore, a good news text should exhibit strong coherence so that the conveyed information is clear, orderly, and understandable for the readers without confusion.
This study employed a descriptive qualitative method, which aims to gain an in-depth understanding of a phenomenon by describing data in the form of words rather than numerical figures. This method was used to examine the use of cohesion and coherence in news texts in a detailed and contextual manner. According to (Yuliani., 2018) descriptive qualitative research aims to answer research questions related to who, what, where, and how an event or experience occurs. Such events or experiences are examined in detail to identify patterns that emerge from them. In brief, descriptive qualitative research can be defined as a research method that employs a simple qualitative approach with an inductive process. This inductive process means that the research begins with a series of events or phenomena, from which generalizations can be drawn as conclusions. In line with (Yulani., 2018), (Dauli., 2023) states that the method applied in this study is a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. Descriptive qualitative research refers to a method that operates within a simple qualitative framework and follows an inductive process. This process begins with a particular event or a series of events, from which general conclusions are derived. The selection of the descriptive method aims to provide an accurate portrayal of phenomena as they actually occur in the field. Furthermore, the use of descriptive research is intended to offer a comprehensive representation of a particular condition in order to explain the phenomenon under investigation.
Based on the results of the analysis of the news article entitled “Our Dreams and Hopes Have Been Swept Away by the Flood” published by BBC News Indonesia, a total of 18 linguistic errors were identified, consisting of 9 cohesion errors and 9 coherence errors. The cohesion errors included grammatical cohesion, lexical cohesion, and intersentential cohesion related to the use of prepositions, references (pronouns), diction, spelling, and punctuation. Meanwhile, the coherence errors involved discontinuity of ideas, inappropriate logical relationships, and a lack of coherence between paragraphs. These findings indicate that although the news article presents factual and up-to-date information, several linguistic weaknesses remain that affect both the structural and semantic unity of the text. Therefore, the analysis of cohesion and coherence in this study is essential for examining the extent to which the linguistic quality of the news article supports the clear, logical, and comprehensible delivery of information to readers.
Figure 1. Cohesion Error Data 1
Analysis: The error is found in the word dibawah, which should be written separately as di bawah in accordance with Indonesian spelling conventions. This error is categorized as a grammatical cohesion error because it is related to the grammatical structure of the language, particularly the use of prepositions. The incorrect form reduces the grammatical accuracy of the sentence and diminishes the formality of the news text. This error was identified in the fourth paragraph of the article.
This error indicates that grammatical cohesion has not been fully achieved in the text. Grammatical cohesion functions to establish structural consistency within a text, enabling relationships among linguistic elements to be expressed clearly and systematically. Although the incorrect use of a preposition may appear to be a minor issue, it can affect the clarity of linguistic form and the overall readability of the text. In news writing, grammatical accuracy is particularly important because it contributes to the precise delivery of information. Therefore, the use of forms that comply with linguistic conventions is essential to ensure that sentences are well-structured and do not lead to misunderstanding. As stated by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion is a formal linguistic element that contributes to the creation of clear and well- organized sentences.
Original Text: “Disini tinggal tiga Kartu Keluarga (KK) dengan jumlah 14 orang, dari sejak hari pertama banjir, kami pulang dari tempat pengungsian lansung di sini," kata Mulyawati, korban banjir kepada Hidayatullah, wartawan di Aceh yang melaporkan untuk BBC News Indonesia, Rabu (31/12)......” English Translation: “Three families, consisting of 14 people, are living here. Since the first day of the flood, we returned from the evacuation center and have stayed here,” said Mulyawati, a flood victim, to Hidayatullah, a journalist in Aceh reporting for BBC News Indonesia, Wednesday (31/12).
Figure 2. Cohesion Error Data 2
Analysis: The error is found in the word lansung, which is a non-standard form of the word langsung (“directly” or “immediately”). This error is categorized as a lexical cohesion error because it involves the inappropriate choice of vocabulary that does not conform to standard Indonesian language conventions. The use of non- standard words may reduce the linguistic quality of the text and make the news article appear less formal. This error was identified in the sixth paragraph of the article.
This error indicates that lexical cohesion has not been fully achieved in the text, particularly in terms of the use of standard vocabulary. Lexical cohesion contributes to textual unity by ensuring the appropriate selection of words that are consistent with the context and linguistic conventions. In news writing, the use of standard language is essential because it enhances clarity, readability, and credibility. The use of non-standard vocabulary may reduce the professional quality of the text and potentially affect readers’ understanding of the information presented. Therefore, careful word choice is necessary to ensure that the text remains coherent, systematic, and easily understood. As explained by (Ardiyanti & Setyorini., 2019), the appropriate use of language helps organize information more clearly and effectively.
Original Text: “Dia menekankan hal itu berulang-ulang, karena semua yang mereka miliki hilang disamun banjir termasuk rencana dan impian Mulyawati pada tahun 2026.” English Translation: “He repeatedly emphasized this because everything they owned was robbed by the flood, including Mulyawati’s plans and dreams for 2026.”
Figure 3. Cohesion Error Data 3
Analysis: The error is found in the use of the word disamun (“robbed”), which is semantically inappropriate in the context of a natural disaster. The term disamun is generally associated with criminal acts involving theft or robbery committed by a person. Therefore, its use in relation to a flood creates a mismatch between the intended meaning and the context of the event. This lexical inaccuracy may confuse readers and reduce the semantic clarity of the sentence. The error was identified in the eighth paragraph of the article.
This error is related to lexical cohesion, particularly the appropriateness of word meaning within a specific context. Lexical cohesion functions to maintain semantic consistency throughout a text by ensuring that word choices are accurate and contextually appropriate. The use of words that do not fit the context may lead to semantic distortion and hinder readers’ understanding of the message being conveyed. In news writing, semantic accuracy is essential because it directly affects the reliability and clarity of information. Therefore, word selection must be carefully adjusted to the context to avoid misunderstanding and ensure effective communication. As stated by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), lexical cohesion contributes to the maintenance of meaning relationships among linguistic elements within a text.
Original Text: “Untuk tahun ini [2026], kami tidak tahu cara mencari rezeki, karena lahan semuanya sudah tidak ada lagi, kebun pun kayak jeruk-jeruk sudah punah semua," suara Mulyawati terdengar parau.” English Translation: “For this year [2026], we do not know how to earn a living because all of our land has disappeared, and even the orchards, such as the orange trees, have all been destroyed,” Mulyawati said in a hoarse voice.
Figure 4. Cohesion Error Data 4
Analysis: The error is found in the use of the word kayak, which is a colloquial expression commonly used in informal spoken Indonesian. In formal news writing, the standard form seperti (“such as” or “like”) is more appropriate. This error is categorized as a lexical cohesion error because it involves the use of a non-standard language variety that is inconsistent with the formal style expected in news texts. The use of colloquial language may reduce the formality and linguistic consistency of the article. This error was identified in the tenth paragraph of the article.
This error indicates that lexical cohesion has not been fully achieved in terms of language variety. In news writing, the use of standard language is essential to maintain consistency, clarity, and formality. The use of informal expressions may disrupt stylistic unity and reduce the overall quality of information delivery. Therefore, word choice should be adjusted to the formal context of journalistic writing to ensure that textual cohesion is maintained. As explained by (Ardiyanti & Setyorini., 2019) , the appropriate use of language contributes to the organization of information in a clear and coherent manner.
Original Text: “Sampai saat ini dia dan seluruh anggota keluarganya...” English Translation: “Until now, she and all of her family members...”
Figure 5. Cohesion Error Data 5
Analysis: The error is found in the use of the pronoun dia (“she”). The pronoun does not have a clear antecedent within the immediate context, which may cause ambiguity and make it difficult for readers to identify the person being referred to. This error is categorized as a grammatical cohesion error because it involves an unclear reference. Effective reference is essential for maintaining coherence and continuity between sentences. This error was identified in the fifth paragraph of the article.
This error demonstrates that grammatical cohesion has not been fully achieved, particularly in terms of reference. References play an important role in connecting sentences and ensuring that readers can easily identify the entities being discussed. When a reference is unclear, ambiguity may arise and hinder comprehension of the text. Therefore, the use of clear and appropriate references is essential for maintaining textual cohesion and facilitating effective communication. As stated by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), reference is one of the key elements of grammatical cohesion that contributes to the unity and clarity of a text.
Original Text: “Di sepanjang perjalanan menuju Kecamatan Langkahan, dari pantauan wartawan Hidayatullah, terdapat ratusan tenda terpal yang dibangun secara mandiri oleh para korban...” English Translation: “Along the journey to Langkahan District, according to observations made by journalist Hidayatullah, there were hundreds of tarpaulin tents that had been independently built by the victims.”
Figure 6. Cohesion Error Data 6
Analysis: The error is related to the lack of an explicit connector linking this sentence to the preceding sentence. As a result, the flow of information appears abrupt and the transition between ideas is less smooth. This error is categorized as a grammatical cohesion error because it affects the relationship between sentences within the text. The absence of an appropriate transitional marker may weaken textual continuity and make the progression of information less coherent for readers. This error was identified in the thirteenth paragraph of the article.
This error indicates insufficient intersentential cohesion within the text. Cohesion functions to connect different parts of a text so that they form a unified and meaningful whole. Without appropriate connectors or transitional expressions, relationships between ideas may become unclear, causing the text to appear fragmented. Therefore, the use of linking devices is important for maintaining the continuity of information and ensuring smooth transitions between sentences. As stated by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion plays a significant role in creating textual unity and facilitating readers’ comprehension of the message conveyed.
Original Text: “Yang tinggal cuma lima buah rumah, kami 310 orang tidak makan, baru hari ke 10 dapat bantuan dari swadaya masyarakat," kata Saiful, sambil menunjuk musala tempat mereka semua selamat dari kepungan banjir.” English Translation: “Only five houses remain standing. The 310 of us had nothing to eat, and it was only on the 10th day that we received assistance from community donations,” said Saiful while pointing to the prayer room where they had all survived the flood.
Analysis: The error is found in the expression ke 10, which does not conform to Indonesian spelling conventions. According to the standard rules of Indonesian orthography, ordinal numerals formed with the prefix ke- must be written with a hyphen, resulting in the correct form ke-10. This error is categorized as a grammatical cohesion error because it relates to the structural accuracy of numeral expressions within the sentence. Incorrect numeral formation may affect the consistency and clarity of language use in the text. This error was identified in the twentieth paragraph of the article. Correction: “Yang tinggal cuma lima buah rumah, kami 310 orang tidak makan, baru hari ke-10 dapat bantuan dari swadaya masyarakat," kata Saiful, sambil menunjuk musala tempat mereka semua selamat dari kepungan banjir.”
This error is related to grammatical cohesion because it concerns the structural formation of numeral expressions within the text. Grammatical cohesion contributes to the organization and consistency of linguistic forms, ensuring that information is presented accurately and systematically. In news writing, adherence to standard spelling and numeral conventions is essential for maintaining linguistic accuracy and readability. Therefore, the correct formation of ordinal numerals should be observed to ensure that the text remains clear, consistent, and easily understood by readers. As explained by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion plays an important role in establishing well-structured and comprehensible discourse.
Original Text: “Tujuannya jelas, yatu menghantar pasokan makanan.” English Translation: “The purpose is clear, namely to deliver food supplies.”
Analysis: The error is found in the word yatu, which is an incorrect spelling of the word yaitu (“namely”). This error is categorized as a grammatical cohesion error because it relates to the correct formation of words according to Indonesian spelling conventions. Incorrect spelling may reduce the clarity and readability of the text, as well as affect the professional quality of the news article. This error was identified in the thirtieth paragraph of the article.
This error demonstrates that grammatical cohesion has not been fully achieved in terms of spelling accuracy. Grammatical cohesion contributes to the structural organization of a text by ensuring that linguistic elements conform to established language conventions. In news writing, correct spelling is essential because it enhances clarity, readability, and credibility. Therefore, adherence to standard spelling rules is necessary to ensure that information is conveyed accurately and effectively. As stated by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion functions as a formal linguistic device that supports the construction of clear and well-organized discourse.
Original Text: “Dari fakta seperti itulah, Pujo Waluyo (41) dan 24 orang dari kelompok relawan Rakyat Banting Tulang (RBT), berjibaku menembus tiga wilayah kabupaten di Aceh//” English Translation: “Based on those facts, Pujo Waluyo (41) and 24 members of the Rakyat Banting Tulang (RBT) volunteer group struggled to reach three regencies in Aceh.”
Analysis: The error is found in the use of the double slash symbol (//), which serves no grammatical or punctuation function in the sentence. This error is categorized as a mechanical cohesion error because it involves the inappropriate use of punctuation marks. Improper punctuation may interrupt the flow of reading, reduce textual clarity, and affect the formal presentation of the news article. This error was identified in the thirtieth paragraph of the article.
This error is related to mechanical cohesion, particularly the correct use of punctuation marks. Punctuation helps organize sentence structure and clarify relationships between textual elements. The inappropriate use of punctuation may disrupt textual unity and create confusion for readers. Therefore, punctuation should be used in accordance with standard writing conventions to ensure that the text remains clear, coherent, and systematic. As explained by (Megayatma & Pratiwi., 2022), cohesion contributes to the organization of discourse by establishing clear structural relationships among linguistic elements.
Original Text: “Nyaris saban hari ada sejumlah mayat yang tercangkul alat berat itu.” English Translation: “Almost every day, a number of bodies were unearthed by the heavy equipment.”
This sentence appears abruptly without sufficient prior explanation regarding the victims or the search and recovery process. As a result, the information seems disconnected from the preceding discussion, creating a gap in logical coherence. Readers may find it difficult to understand the context of the statement because the necessary background information is not explicitly provided. This issue was identified in the seventeenth paragraph of the article.
This error indicates a lack of logical coherence in the text. Logical coherence requires that information be presented with sufficient background or causal connections so that readers can understand the relationship between ideas. Without contextual information, the statement appears isolated from the preceding discourse. Therefore, providing adequate context is necessary to maintain continuity of meaning, as suggested by (Nurkholifah et al., 2021).
Original Text: “Nyawa manusia tidak ada harganya, lebih mahal nyawa ayam,” ujarnya. English Translation: “Human life is considered worthless; even a chicken's life is valued more,” he said.
Analysis: This statement appears without sufficient introductory information regarding the speaker or the context in which it was expressed. Consequently, the paragraph lacks a smooth progression of ideas, making it difficult for readers to fully understand the intended meaning. This issue was identified in the twenty-ninth paragraph of the article.
This issue is related to paragraph coherence, which requires clear relationships among sentences within a paragraph. Without an adequate introduction, readers may have difficulty understanding the context of a statement. Therefore, contextual information is necessary to ensure logical continuity and textual unity. As explained by (Lestari, 2019), coherence is essential for maintaining meaningful connections among ideas within a paragraph.
Original Text: “Kami galang donasi untuk beli beras, mempertahankan yang masih hidup, mungkin yang sudah dibawa air ya sudah, tapi yang hidup harus tetap hidup, harus kita suplai logistik,” ujar Pujo.
Analysis: The discussion shifts abruptly from logistical assistance to the issue of relocation without an explicit connection between the two ideas. This sudden transition weakens the chronological and logical flow of information, making the discourse appear fragmented. This issue was identified in the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth paragraphs of the article.
Chronological coherence functions to organize information in a logical sequence. Abrupt transitions between topics may disrupt the continuity of discourse and make the progression of ideas difficult to follow. Therefore, transitional expressions are necessary to connect related information. As stated by (Nurkholifah et al., 2021), coherence ensures that information is presented in a logical and systematic manner.
Original Text: “Di sinilah Pujo Waluyo lalu menuntut agar pemerintah harus cepat memindahkan korban dari lokasi bencana.” “Hutan sudah alih fungsi ke lahan sawit, alih fungsi ke kebun. Kalau dulu kita merambah menggunakan parang dan butuh waktu ratusan tahun, kali ini menggunakan alat berat, hitungan detik ratusan hektar hutan bisa dibabat,” katanya.
Analysis: The text shifts from discussing victim relocation to environmental degradation without explicitly explaining the causal relationship between the two issues. As a result, the transition appears abrupt and weakens the coherence of the discourse. This issue was identified in the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth paragraphs of the article.
Cause-and-effect coherence requires a clear logical relationship between ideas. Without an explicit explanation of causality, readers may find it difficult to understand why one topic leads to another. Therefore, causal connectors are necessary to maintain logical continuity within the discourse. As explained by (Nurkholifah et al., 2021), coherence is achieved when relationships among ideas are presented clearly and logically.
Original Text: “Saiful mempertanyakan apa yang disebutnya sebagai ketidakhadiran pemerintah bagi korban banjir di Aceh dan Sumatra.”
The phrase Aceh dan Sumatra is logically problematic because Aceh is geographically part of Sumatra. Consequently, the relationship between the two geographical references is inaccurate and may create confusion for readers. This issue was identified in the twenty-first paragraph of the article.
This issue is related to logical coherence, which requires accurate semantic relationships based on factual information. Illogical or inaccurate references may reduce the clarity and credibility of a text. Therefore, geographical references should be presented precisely to ensure coherence and accuracy. As stated by (Nurkholifah et al., 2021), coherence depends on the logical consistency of information throughout a discourse.
Based on the results of the analysis, a number of cohesion and coherence issues were identified in the news article entitled “Our Dreams and Hopes Have Been Swept Away by the Flood.” The cohesion issues were primarily related to grammatical and lexical aspects, including the incorrect use of prepositions, non- standard vocabulary, inappropriate word choice, spelling errors, numeral formation, and punctuation. Meanwhile, the coherence issues were associated with repetition, weak paragraph organization, abrupt transitions between ideas, insufficient cause-and-effect relationships, and inaccurate logical references. These findings indicate that although the news article successfully presents factual and up-to-date information regarding the experiences of flood and landslide victims, several linguistic aspects still require improvement to ensure greater textual unity and clarity. Cohesion contributes to the formal and structural connections among linguistic elements, whereas coherence ensures that ideas are logically organized and meaningfully connected throughout the discourse. Therefore, the appropriate use of cohesion and coherence is essential in news writing to facilitate the clear, systematic, and effective delivery of information to readers.
This study analyzed the use of cohesion and coherence in the online news article entitled “Our Dreams and Hopes Have Been Swept Away by the Flood” published by BBC News Indonesia. The findings revealed that the news text contains several linguistic issues related to both cohesion and coherence. A total of eight cohesion issues were identified, including errors in the use of prepositions, non-standard vocabulary, inappropriate diction, language variety, intersentential connectors, numeral formation, spelling, and punctuation. In addition, five coherence issues were found, involving logical relationships, paragraph organization, chronological sequencing, cause-and-effect relationships, and regional references. These findings indicate that although the news article successfully conveys factual information and the experiences of flood and landslide survivors, some linguistic aspects still require improvement to achieve greater textual unity and clarity. Cohesion and coherence play complementary roles in discourse construction, as cohesion establishes formal linguistic connections, while coherence ensures logical and meaningful relationships among ideas. Therefore, the proper application of cohesion and coherence is essential for producing news texts that are clear, systematic, accurate, and easily understood by readers.
Based on the findings of this study, several suggestions can be proposed. First, journalists and news writers should pay greater attention to the use of standard language forms, appropriate diction, spelling conventions, and punctuation to enhance the cohesion of news texts. Second, stronger coherence should be maintained through the use of clear transitions, logical sequencing of ideas, and explicit relationships between paragraphs and sections of the text. Third, media institutions should strengthen editorial review processes to ensure that published news articles meet linguistic standards in terms of both cohesion and coherence. Finally, future researchers are encouraged to conduct similar studies using a wider range of news sources and discourse types in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of cohesion and coherence in journalistic writing. Such studies may also explore the relationship between linguistic quality and readers’ comprehension of news texts.
Future studies are encouraged to analyze cohesion and coherence in a wider range of online news articles from different media platforms and genres, as well as to employ comparative and corpus-based approaches to gain deeper insights into how linguistic features contribute to text comprehensibility, reader engagement, and discourse effectiveness in digital journalism. Additionally, future researchers may investigate the relationship between cohesive devices, coherence patterns, and audience interpretation to better understand how news narratives influence readers’ perceptions and facilitate effective communication in diverse sociocultural contexts.
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to all individuals and institutions who provided support, guidance, and valuable resources throughout the completion of this study, making this research possible and contributing to its successful accomplishment. Special appreciation is extended to the academic supervisors, colleagues, and reviewers whose constructive feedback and encouragement significantly enhanced the quality and rigor of this research.