INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FDENG001

COHESIVE DEVICES

Cohesive Devices

1) Single words/ phrases that tie ideas together smoothly and clearly.
2) Your writing becomes coherent
3) Easy for reader to understand what you have written.

Types of Cohesive Devices

 Repetition of key terms/ synonyms
 Pronoun reference
 Discourse Markers

I Repetition of key terms/ synonyms

a) Repetition of key terms

1. Helps to focus the ideas to keep you reader on track.

The problem with contemporary art is that it is not easily understood by most people.
Contemporary art is deliberately abstract, and that means it leaves the viewer wondering
what she is looking at.

b) Synonyms
1. Words with the same meaning and provides some variety in your word choices; helping the
reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed.

Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred origins. These traditional narratives are, in
short, a set of beliefs that are very real force in the lives of the people who tell them.

II Pronoun Reference

1. A pronoun takes place of a noun; thus, the pronoun must agree with the noun it replaces in
number and person.
2. It should be clearly stated which noun the pronoun is substituting for.
3. The substitution is called the antecedent

A. Rules of the usage of pronoun reference

1. Must agree in number with the noun it refers to.
Incorrect Everyone is studying hard for their exams.
Correct Everyone is studying hard for his or her exams.

2. Must agree in person with the noun it refers to.

Incorrect If a student studies hard, you should succeed.
Correct If a student studies hard, he or she should succeed.

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 INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FDENG001
COHESIVE DEVICES

3. Should be only one possible antecedent for a singular pronoun.

Incorrect Sam and Adam walked to his English class.
Correct Sam and Adam walked to Sam’s English class.

4. Must be an explicit antecedent.

Incorrect In the study, they state that writing skills are important.
Correct In the study, the researcher states that writing skills are important.

5. A pronoun should not refer to a possessive noun.

Incorrect In the professor’s comments she was very encouraging.
Correct The professor’s comment was very encouraging in her comments.

Discourse Marker

1. Connecting words or phrases that act like bridges between parts of your writing.
2. They link your sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps
or breaks between ideas.

Examples of Discourse Markers

Uses Examples
For adding also, moreover, furthermore, additionally, besides, in addition
For comparing similarly, likewise, in the same way
For generalising in general, broadly speaking, as a rule
For showing causes and therefore, thus, consequently, hence, as a result
effect
For contrast however, although, whereas, despite this fact, on one hand, on the other hand
For indicating time in the past, not so long ago, recently
For sequencing firstly, at first, first of all, later, in the beginning
For emphasising above all, specially, in particular
For repeating again and again, over and over, once again
For giving examples for example, for instance, such as, namely, in other words
For concluding in conclusion, finally, to sum it up, in the end, lastly