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Module 2-Pre-class Activities (1)

The document discusses the concepts of cohesion and coherence in writing, emphasizing the importance of connecting devices and logical organization of ideas. Cohesion refers to how parts of a text fit together, while coherence focuses on the logical flow and organization of ideas within and between paragraphs. Both elements are essential for creating clear, understandable, and well-structured assignments.

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3 views

Module 2-Pre-class Activities (1)

The document discusses the concepts of cohesion and coherence in writing, emphasizing the importance of connecting devices and logical organization of ideas. Cohesion refers to how parts of a text fit together, while coherence focuses on the logical flow and organization of ideas within and between paragraphs. Both elements are essential for creating clear, understandable, and well-structured assignments.

Uploaded by

Thatonechaoticgal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pre-Class Activities

1. Read the following about cohesion


Cohesion
Cohesion is concerned with the way in which parts of written texts fit together to make a
whole rather than a series of disconnected bits. This is particularly important when you are
writing an assignment, and you need to pay attention to the connecting devices that you use.
These devices connect the ideas in one sentence to the previous sentence and to the
following sentence. They also connect the smaller parts of the sentence together, the phrases
and clauses. In the same way, they connect paragraphs to each other. The connecting devices
help to carry your argument along and lend structure to your writing, so that the reader finds
it easier to understand. Connecting devices link all the different parts of your writing together
so that it makes sense, not just to you but to anybody who is going to read your assignment.
When you use connecting devices you will be relying on your intuitive knowledge of grammar
in knowing which words fit together and in what kind of order, so that everything makes
sense. Reading aloud gives you a sense of how well the connections are working. You can
think about cohesion in your writing at different levels, in terms of connections between
topics; themes; words and phrases, as in the examples below:

Connecting topics
I give presentations from mind maps and sometimes hand them out.
They’re more visually exciting than linear notes.
(The writer connects mind maps + linear notes)

There are examples of societies whose violence is based on social ties and others
where violent warfare is seen as a stabilizing force on the community. Even
apparently peaceful groups such as the Buid or Inuit Eskimos experience some levels
of violence in their close communities.
(The writer connects violence in society + peaceful groups)

Connecting themes
In the extract from a student essay, notice the three themes of the paragraphs:

• theories of child language acquisition;


• areas of evidence;
• theoretical perspectives.
Connecting words and phrases
Then Firstly, secondly
However In contrast
Despite In addition
Consequently An example of
Nevertheless Similarly
Therefore Clearly
Yet But
Although And
Because As a result
Since

(taken from: Crème & Lea 2008, 158 – 159)

2. Read the following about coherence

Coherence
Coherence is concerned about words and ideas and the way they interact with one another.
The word coherence comes from two Latin words co meaning together, and haerere meaning
to stick. Following the above etymology, coherence means to stick together. Coherence has
to do with the method of organization of the assignment and a smooth transition of
supporting ideas (evidence) from one idea to another within paragraphs, chapters and the
whole assignment. “To achieve coherence, you must present your ideas in a logical
sequence—chronologically or spatially; by cause and effect or comparison and contrast; or by
order of importance, degree, or familiarity.” Hence, coherence has to do with the organization
of ideas in your supporting evidence within paragraphs.

An idea contained in a word, phrase or sentence within the paragraph is not coherent when
it stands alone; rather, it is coherent when it relates to other ideas within the phrase, sentence
or paragraph. Coherence has to do with the way ideas are linked together in a logical flow
from one idea to the next.

To make ideas from one paragraph to another coherent, we always use ‘transition words’.
Conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, as a result, in that case, hence, therefore,
similarly, still, then, thereafter, thus, undoubtedly, accordingly, also, anyway, besides,
certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, incidentally, indeed, likewise, instead,
meanwhile, next, nevertheless, otherwise, and now are frequently used to connect ideas
together. These words indicate that either another idea follows or the present idea reaches
an end. Transition words are very important to make the assignment report coherent.
Coherence is also achieved through the repetition of keywords in sentences and the use of
pronouns to refer to the already-mentioned antecedent. Therefore, coherence makes your
assignment well-integrated, smooth to read, consistent in its arrangement of ideas, and
intelligible. Consider the following examples on how to use transition words in sentences
within and between paragraphs:
1. Transitional Words
Collecting information for research purpose is difficult; however, it is worthwhile. The
research problem formulated was not well-focused; consequently, the researcher failed
to generate adequate research information for analysis.

2. Use of pronouns to refer to the previously mentioned antecedent


Mwendamseke is a good person in the Bena society of Njombe in Tanzania. He is praised
by every member of his village. He owns irish potato farms and engages people to work
in his farms.

3. Repeating key words in a sentence


It is prestigious to own a big house in the village. The big house connotes that one is well-
off. In this case, the big house becomes a sign of one’s possession of abundant wealth in
the village.

4. Sentence Structure
It is important that sentences be short and clear. However, the precision of a sentence
does not depend on its shortness, but on its ability to present only that which it is supposed
to present for readers to understand smoothly without or with minimal difficult.
Remember, a sentence is always about actors, the action and the one acted upon. The
subject of the sentence should show the actor; the verb should show the action and the
predicate the one acted upon. This means that the sentences should be complete with
subjects and predicates, not phrases. The use of phrases will hinder readers from
understanding the main concept of the paragraph, and of the whole chapter. The use of
punctuation marks and capitalization must be correct. Eventually, check for spelling errors.

The main thing to remember in this part of the paper is that you should tell the readers what
you intended to tell them, clearly and with all supporting evidence collected to support the
answers for the question dealt with within the assignment. Every claim you make must be
supported by strong evidence or data from primary and/or secondary sources of research.

(taken from: Mligo 2017, pp. 105-106)

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