signposting/ cohesive

marker
 Cohesive devices
Cohesive devices are words used to show how the
different parts of a text fit together. In other words,
they create cohesion.

Some examples of cohesive devices are:

determiners and pronouns, which

can refer back to earlier words
Julia's dad bought her a football. The football was expensive!
[determiner; refers us back to a particular football]

Joe was given a bike for Christmas. He liked it very much. [the
pronouns refer back to Joe and the bike]
 conjunctions and adverbs, which can
make relations between words clear
We'll be going shopping before we go to
the park. [conjunction; makes a
relationship of time clear]
I'm afraid we're going to have to wait for
the next train. Meanwhile, we could have
a cup of tea. [adverb; refers back to the
time of waiting]
 ellipsis of expected words.

Where are you going? [_] To school! [ellipsis

of the expected words I'm going; links the
answer back to the question]
 Coherence
When sentences, ideas, and details fit together
clearly, readers can follow along easily, and the
writing is coherent.

To establish the links that readers need, you can

use the methods listed here:
Repetition of a key term or phrase
Synonyms
Pronouns
Transitional Words

A good writer will use a combination of these

methods.
Do not rely on and overuse any single method
especially transitional words.
 Repetition of a Key Term or
Phrase
This helps to focus your ideas and to
keep your reader on track.

Example:

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.
 Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have
essentially the same meaning, and
they provide some variety in your
word choices, helping the reader to
stay focused on the idea being
discussed.
Myths narrate sacred histories and explain
sacred
Example:origins. These traditional narratives are,
in short, a set of beliefs that are a very real force
in the lives of the people who tell them.
 Pronouns
This, that, these, those, he, she, it,
they, and we are useful pronouns for
referring back to something
previously mentioned. Be sure,
however, that what you are referring
to is clear.

Example:
When scientific experiments do not work out
as expected, they are often considered failures
until some other scientist tries them again.
 Transitional Words
There are many words in English that
cue our readers to relationships
between sentences, joining
sentences together. For example,
however, therefore, in addition, also,
but, moreover, etc.

Example:
I like autumn, and yet autumn is a sad time of
the year, too.