Cohesion & Coherence

Instructor: Rizwan Ullah Ejaz

Email: rizwanullahejaz@gift.edu.pk
Cohesion & Coherence at Sentence Level
What comes to your mind when you read the
following words in a sentence?
1. Firstly,…

2. Similarly,...

3. On the other hand,...

4. Therefore,...

5. Thus,...

6. Moreover,...

7. Consequently,...

8. For instance,...
Can you figure out the difference in meaning
conveyed by the following sentences?
1. The public transport in this city is unreliable. The public transport in this city is cheap.

2. The public transport in this city is unreliable and it’s cheap.

3. The public transport in this city is unreliable but it’s cheap.

Focus on the “connection” being built here...

1. The public transport in this city is unreliable. The public transport in this city is cheap.

2. The public transport in this city is unreliable and it’s cheap.

3. The public transport in this city is unreliable but it’s cheap.

The first option has two sentences which can be combined through a conjunction.

The second sentence adds information by using and.

The third sentence shows a contrast in meaning by using but.

Cohesive Devices

● It refers to the linking words that help you connect ideas and show the
relationship between paragraphs, sentences, and parts of sentences.
● Also known as the “Linking Words” or “Connecting Words”
● Examples:
Therefore, in conclusion, for example etc.
Note:
These must be used correctly and in the right position (accurately &
appropriately)
Why do we use Cohesive Devices?

● They are the glue between sentences and paragraphs.

● Connect one idea with the other idea at sentence level and at paragraph
level.
● Make relationships in the text evident and clear
● Ensure a smooth flow of sentences and paragraphs from one another.
● Tie together the old information with the new.
● Help the reader understand how each sentence and paragraph relates to
what has come before it.
● Transitions, linking words and phrases, conjunctions, prepositions,
pronouns, etc.
A Few Examples to Remember
 again, also, and, and then, besides, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first
Addition
place, last, moreover, next, second, still, too
Comparison also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
Concession granted, naturally, of course

although, and yet, at the same time, but at the same time, despite that, even so, even though, for all that,
Contrast however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand,
otherwise, regardless, still, though, yet

Emphasis certainly, indeed, in fact, of course

Example/illustratio after all, as an illustration, even, for example, for instance, in conclusion, indeed, in fact, in other words, in short, it
n is true, of course, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus, truly

Place/direction above, below, father on, nearby, to the right

Relationships therefore, so, consequently, for this reason, since

all in all, altogether, as has been said, finally, in brief, in conclusion, in other words, in particular, in short, in simpler
Summary
terms, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to put it differently, to summarize

after a while, afterward, again, also, and then, as long as, at last, at length, at that time, before, besides, earlier,
eventually, finally, formerly, further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, in the past, last, lately, meanwhile,
Time sequence
moreover, next, now, presently, second, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still, subsequently, then,
thereafter, too, until, until now, when
Exercise 1. The following group of sentences does NOT flow. Improve the
flow by rearranging the sentences.

There are many reasons why reading your essays out loud is a good idea.
They’ll reread the sentence, pause to figure out what they meant, and admit
“that sounds weird.” Reading out loud also helps you to notice your typos,
but not everyone can spot these. It allows you to hear whether your ideas
and sentences flow. Oftentimes writers will stumble over awkward phrasing.
Most writers tend to self-correct these errors as they read and don’t even
notice them.
Exercise 2. The following group of sentences does NOT flow. Improve the
flow by rearranging the sentences.

Whether you refer to them as “parklets,” “pocket plazas,” or “street porches,”

microparks are rapidly becoming an American civic darling. If microparks
sound appealing, watch for one coming soon to a former parking spot near
you. These zones may include benches or swing chairs, along with planters
or fountains. Already popular in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and
select other cities, microparks are curbside parking spaces converted into
car-free zones for human enjoyment. Whatever its amenities, a micropark is
designed to help city dwellers spend time in a public space outside of their
cars.
Exercise
Practice 1:
http://elss.elc.cityu.edu.hk/ELSS/Resource/Cohesive%20devices/

Practice 2:
http://elss.elc.cityu.edu.hk/ELSS/Resource/Text%20Cohesion-Conjunctions/

Further Study
https://www.slideshare.net/charlescorn/ielts-cohesive-devices
Cohesion & Coherence at Paragraph Level
What is Cohesion at Paragraph Level?

Cohesion is revising to make sure that your words, ideas, and paragraphs fit
together. Without cohesive sentences, readers feel like they are reading a
long list of unrelated ideas. They often have trouble remembering what you
said. They also have trouble understanding how these ideas connect to one
another, which may mean that they don’t understand the main point in your
writing. When your writing is not cohesive, it’s very difficult to be an effective
communicator.
5 Ways To Improve The Cohesiveness Of Your
Writing:
1. Check the first sentence in each paragraph. Ask yourself: does this sentence explain the
connection between the ideas in the previous paragraph and the ideas that I’m about to
discuss?
Example: Let’s say that I’m writing a paper about the personalities of different household
pets. If my first paragraph is about cats and my second paragraph is about dogs, I can make
my writing more cohesive by beginning the 2nd paragraph with the following statement:
“While cats tend to be moody and self-centered, dogs are usually cheerful and aim to please
their owners.”

2. Check the first few words in each sentence. Ask yourself: Have I made it clear exactly how
this idea relates to the previous one? Will readers be able to move smoothly from one idea
to the next?
Example: Instead of using two disjointed, short sentences like “She ran outside. Her shoe fell
off,” I might make the sentences more cohesive by emphasizing a connection. I’d change it
to: She ran outside so quickly that her shoe fell off.
5 Ways To Improve The Cohesiveness Of Your
Writing:
3. Use topic sentences. Read each paragraph and ask yourself 2 questions: What is the main point in
this paragraph? How does this point support my thesis statement or main purpose in this essay?
Make sure that your topic sentences answer BOTH questions.
Example: If the purpose of my essay is to argue that the death penalty should not be used in the
U.S., I’ll want to make sure that each of my paragraphs helps defend my opinion. Rather than
beginning a paragraph about innocent people being mistakenly executed using this system with the
vague words “Innocent people in the U.S. are dying every day” I’d make my writing more cohesive
and remind the reader of my main purpose by saying “The death penalty system allows our country
to take away innocent lives, therefore it should not be used as a form of punishment.”

4. Underline the subject in longer sentences. Check to make sure that you’ve placed the subject as
close to the beginning of the sentence as possible, rather than hiding it in the middle or towards the
end.
Example: If my paper is about the effects of global warming, I’ll want to avoid sentences like this:
“There are several harmful effects on our environment like global warming and people not cleaning
up their garbage.” That sentence is confusing because it drags on too long and does not emphasize
any particular main point; it also mentions garbage, which doesn’t really relate to what I’m talking
about at all. It would be better to change the sentence to: “Global warming is the most dangerous
environmental problem that we must face.”
5 Ways To Improve The Cohesiveness Of Your
Writing:
5. Don’t be afraid to restate your thesis or main idea several times throughout your essay. Just
make sure that you do so in slightly different words!
Example: If my thesis statement reads, “The best way to learn to drive is to practice in a
vacant parking lot,” then throughout my essay I might use statements like: “Practicing in a
large, open space is also helpful because…” or “Learning to drive on the road will cause a lot
more anxiety than practicing in a less cluttered space because…”
Further Study

http://www.writingcentre.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/167/Cohesion.pdf

https://libguides.lmu.edu/c.php?g=324079&p=2174120

https://s1writinglantz.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/cohesion-within-paragraphs-and-transitions-between-paragraphs/

https://www.uwb.edu/wacc/what-we-do/eslhandbook/coherence

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-coherence-composition-1689862