Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It ensures a smooth flow of information so that the reader can follow the main ideas in your essay or report. The most important features of good cohesion include use of repeated words and reference words to remind the reader, transition signals (or discourse markers) to signpost important information, substitution and ellipsis.
Understanding the most common features of cohesion
Firstly, watch this short video clip by EAP Foundation.com to understand the most commonly used features of cohesion in more detail.
Next, look at the example essay – scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the tabs to highlight examples of each feature.
Starting out with cohesion
If you are relatively new to the formal language of academic writing, it is perhaps best to start with practising how to use three basic techniques: linking words / transition words /conciseness outlined by Staffordshire University. Using these will not only help to develop the structure and flow of your writing at Abertay but also enable your lecturer to understand your arguments more easily.
- Linking words: conjunctions
Linking words within a sentence are referred to as coordinating conjunctions.
Don’t worry about the term: think about the function.
|
Conjunction |
Function |
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for |
connects a reason to a result |
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and |
connects equal and similar ideas |
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nor |
connects two negative ideas |
|
but |
connects equal but different ideas |
|
or |
connects two equal choices |
|
yet |
connects equal and contrasting ideas |
|
so |
connects a result to a reason |
- Transition words
Transitions link one main idea to another separated by a semi-colon or full-stop.
When the transition word is at the beginning of the sentence, it should be followed by a comma:
Among other functions, they can signal cause and effect or sequencing (see examples below).
|
Additional comments or ideas |
additionally; also; moreover; furthermore; again; further; then; too; similarly; correspondingly; indeed; regarding. |
|
Alternatives |
whereas; conversely; in comparison; in contrast; another view is…; alternatively; although; otherwise; instead. |
|
Analysing results |
therefore; accordingly; as a result; consequently; it can be seen; evidence illustrates that; because of this; thus; hence; for this reason; owing to x; this suggests that; it follows that; otherwise; in that case; this / that implies; |
|
Cause / Reason |
as a result of; because (mid-sentence only) |
|
Compare |
compared with; in the same way; likewise |
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Contrast |
in contrast; although; compared with; conversely; despite; however, nevertheless; yet |
|
Effect / Result |
As a result; therefore; thus |
|
Emphasising earlier statements |
however; nonetheless; furthermore; in the final analysis; despite x; notwithstanding x; in spite of x; while x may be true, nonetheless although; though; after all; at the same time; |
|
Introducing examples |
for example; for instance; namely; such as; as follows; as exemplified by; such as; including; especially; particularly; in particular; notably; mainly; |
|
Re-phrasing |
in other words; rather; or; in view of this; in contrast |
|
Sequencing |
first (ly); second (ly); third (ly); another…; additionally; finally; moreover; also; subsequently; eventually; next; then |
|
Summary or Conclusion |
in conclusion; therefore; to conclude; on the whole; hence; thus to summarise; altogether; overall; …following the research of…after analysis |
- Conciseness
Being concise helps to pinpoint more clearly what you want to say and the argument you want to put forward.
Microsoft Word now has an additional feature within the Editor - it is called conciseness or wordiness.
- If you cannot see the Editor menu a quick tip is to hold down the function (fn key at the bottom left of the keyboard) + F7 (top line of keys).
- From the Refinements section - select Conciseness - if there are any suggestions a number will appear in the box alongside this option
- A dotted line will appear under any groups of groups *Either select the identified text by clicking with your right mouse button OR click on the down down next to the Conciseness menu.
- MS Word will display any alternative words which you can either select and they will be replaced in your text or reject if you want to keep the original phrases.
Examples of conciseness:
|
Instead of using ... |
Use ... |
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employed the use of |
used |
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basic fundamentals |
fundamentals |
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alternative choices |
alternatives |
|
in as few words as possible |
concisely |
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look into |
investigate |
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put on |
gained |
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turned down |
rejected |
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got better |
improved |
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hit and miss |
erratic |
|
in spite of |
although |
Developing your cohesion skills further
More advanced features of cohesion include using repeated words / ideas (including synonyms), reference words (i.e. ‘it’ / ‘these’ / ‘these’), substitution, ellipsis and shell nouns. The following resources and practice tasks can help you to develop your skills further.
- Read this simple introduction to How to make texts stick together by EAP Foundation
- Complete all practice tasks on Using cohesive devices by Queen Mary, University of London
- Academic-english.com -Complete the practice activity on Transition words by Academic English UK
- UEfAP – Read the article on Reference, substitution and ellipsis by UEfAP
- EAP Foundation: Complete the Shell Nouns Quiz (you will need to register for an account)
Checklist
Below is a cohesion checklist from EAP Foundation. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and use it to check the cohesion in your own writing at Abertay.
|
Item |
OK? |
Comment |
|
There is good use of linking words (conjunctions) |
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There is good use of transition words (e.g. 'for example', 'in contrast'). |
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|
Conciseness / redundant words have been checked using Word Editor function |
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There is good use of repeated words/ideas (including synonyms). |
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There is good use of reference words (e.g. 'it', 'this', 'these'). |
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|
Substitution is used, where appropriate. |
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Ellipsis is used, if necessary. |
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Other aspects of cohesion are used appropriately, i.e. shell nouns (e.g. 'effect', 'trend') and thematic development |
Next steps
- Consult our range of Study Skills Guides including: Essay writing 101; Writing a report, Paraphrasing information from sources; Integrating information from sources
- Attend our interactive Study Skills Workshops
Not feeling confident yet?
Don’t worry! Email studyskills@abertay.ac.uk. We are here to help!
Last modified by Student and Academic Services