COHESIVE DEVICES

COHESION

Writers use different lexical items to give cohesion to their writing. These
“unity” words are called cohesive devices. Identifying cohesive devices is
crucial to understand a text. The following are the most frequent ways of
giving cohesion to texts:
❏ Referring Expressions
❏ Repetition and Lexical Chains
❏ Connectors/Linkers
 Referring Expressions

These are lexical items whose meaning can only be discovered by

referring to other words or elements of the context. These lexical items
are called reference words and the words they refer to are identified as
referents. The most obvious examples of reference words are
pronouns. The reference word may precede or follow its referent yet it
is more frequent to find the reference word following its referent.
Pollution is a growing concern among governments in the world. It / This problem is a key contributor to several illnesses in industrial society.
 Repetition and Lexical Chains

Writers create cohesive texts by repeating key words.

Sometimes repetition of the same word is not used.

Instead synonyms or other similar words are employed.

Thus a lexical chain is created.

Eg. I heard a sound but I couldn’t figure out where that noise came from.
 Connectives / Linkers

Linkers or connectives are lexical items such as first, second, finally,

thus, therefore, although, however, etc. They are used to join, ‘link’, and
‘connect’ parts of sentences and/or text. It is very important to learn to
recognise these lexical items for they are signals that indicate the reader
different relationships and connections in the text.
Eg. As a result of his brave action, he was awarded a military medal.
 Function Lexical items

To introduce an additional idea and; also; in addition; moreover; besides; too;

furthermore; another + noun; what’s more; ; not
only...but also

To introduce a contrast on the other hand; on the one hand; in contrast;

however; instead; nevertheless; still; though; although;
even though; but; yet; whereas; while; in spite of;
despite; otherwise

To introduce a choice or alternative or; or otherwise

to introduce a restatement or explanation that is; i.e.; I mean

to introduce an example for example; for instance; an example of + noun; such

as; like

to introduce a conclusion or summary in conclusion; in summary; to conclude; to summarise

to introduce a similar idea like; as; the same; the same as; similar to;
alike; similarly

to introduce a cause or a reason because; for; since; as; due to; the result of;
because of; as a result of; as a consequence
of

to introduce a result or consequence therefore; thus, so; hence; the cause of; the
reason for; so...that

to introduce a condition if; unless

to introduce a purpose in order to; in order that; so that; so as to

to introduce temporal relations first; then; after; afterwards; later; earlier;

immediately; before; next; after that; at the
same time; previously; before that; finally; at
last; in the end; soon; at this/that moment;
eventually

*The list includes some of the most frequently used linkers.