Cohesion

Cohesion means linking words that help you connect ideas. It also relates to how sentences are linked together to form a meaningful paragraph and how paragraphs are linked together to form an essay.

Quick Tips to Follow that shows your Cohesive Skill in your Essay

• Focus only on 1 point in each paragraph to enhance clarity

• Write Complex Sentences with appropriate use of Punctuations

• Link your ideas with Syntax instead of making excessive use of Linking phrases

For your essay to be cohesive, you must ensure that you don't mix up more than one idea in a single paragraph. Instead, you should focus on one particular point, elaborate on it, and it is always recommended to provide a suitable example in support of that point.

Though writing complex sentences is advisable for the academic writing, you must use them wisely. There is a fine line between 'Complex sentences' and 'Complicated sentences.' Do make sure you present your thoughts without making the sentences hard to read or understand, in other words, complicated. Furthermore, proper punctuation can also help you in framing complex sentences.

Example:

Complex Sentence: All my friends enjoyed the movie, however, I didn't enjoy it.

Complicated Sentence: My friends and I went to a movie, but, I did not find it great though they all liked it very much.

Cohesive Devices are used to signify the relationship between different clauses, sentences and paragraphs.

What are Cohesive Devices?

Connectors, linking words, phrases, and transitional words are the Cohesive Devices that you can use in your Essay.

Here are some examples of Cohesive Devices that you can use in academic writing.

• Adding Ideas: 'furthermore', 'in addition to'

• Contrasting Ideas: 'however', 'on the other hand', 'let's not forget the fact that'

• Stating Examples: 'for instance', 'for example', 'to illustrate this'

• Explaining Results: 'consequently', 'as a result'

• Maintaining the Sequence: 'firstly', 'next', 'to begin with'

• Providing Explanations: 'because of', 'due to'

• Concluding Ideas: 'in conclusion', 'to sum up'

• Introducing your Point: 'another point that I would like to add', 'in my opinion'

Note: Never overdo with Cohesive Devices.

You must avoid the use of excessive connectors in a single paragraph. With too many linking words, your writing will not sound natural and fluent. It may also confuse the examiner while reading your essay.

An alternative to prevent unnecessary connectors is to use pronouns and dependent clauses to fulfil your purpose. Use Cohesive Devices Correctly and in Right Quantity.