Cohesion: linking ideas across paragraphs

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What is Cohesion?

Cohesion is the glue that holds a text together so readers can follow the ideas easily.
It means linking words and sentences so the writing flows smoothly from one part to the next.
Cohesion is different from coherence – coherence is about the overall meaning making sense, while cohesion is about the language links.
Good writers use special words and phrases called cohesive devices to create cohesion.

Types of Cohesion

There are two main types: grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion.
Grammatical cohesion uses grammar (like pronouns and conjunctions) to link ideas.
Lexical cohesion uses vocabulary (like repeating words or using related words) to link ideas.
Both types work together to make a text clear and easy to read.

Referencing: Pronouns and More

Reference is when a word points back or forward to something else in the text.
Anaphoric reference points back to something already mentioned. For example, 'The dog was hungry. It ate quickly.' Here, 'it' refers to 'the dog'.
Cataphoric reference points forward. For example, 'He was my best friend – Tom.' Here, 'he' points to 'Tom' later.
Exophoric reference points outside the text, like saying 'everything' without explaining. This does NOT create cohesion because it doesn't link ideas inside the text.
Homophoric reference uses a general phrase that gets meaning from context, like 'the Queen' – we know which queen from where we live.

Ellipsis: Leaving Words Out

Ellipsis means leaving out words that are already understood from earlier in the text.
It avoids repeating the same words again and again.
Example: 'The younger child was outgoing, the older much more reserved.' The full form would be 'the older child was much more reserved.'
In conversation: 'Where are you going?' – 'To dance.' The full answer is 'I am going to dance.'

Substitution: Using a Replacement Word

Substitution is when you replace a word with a more general word instead of repeating it.
Example: 'Which ice-cream would you like?' – 'I would like the pink one.' Here, 'one' replaces 'ice-cream'.
Substitution keeps writing from sounding repetitive.
Unlike ellipsis, substitution uses a word, not just leaving a gap.

Lexical Cohesion: Word Choices

Lexical cohesion uses word choices to link ideas.
Repetition means using the same word again, or using synonyms (words with similar meanings). Example: 'Which dress are you going to wear?' – 'I will wear my green frock.' Here, 'dress' and 'frock' are synonyms.
Collocation uses words that often go together, like 'once upon a time' – these words naturally link.
Using related words helps the reader connect ideas.

Conjunctions and Adverbials: Linking Ideas

Conjunctions are words like 'and', 'but', 'because' that join ideas.
Adverbials are phrases that show how ideas relate, like 'however', 'therefore', 'for example'.
They signal addition (and, also), contrast (but, however), cause (because, so), sequence (first, then), example (for instance), and summary (in conclusion).
Using these helps the reader understand the relationship between paragraphs.

Topic Sentences: Linking Paragraphs

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that tells what it is about.
Good topic sentences link back to the previous paragraph to keep the flow.
For example, if the last paragraph was about the weather, the next might start: 'Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.'
This creates a smooth connection between ideas.

Repairing Broken Cohesion

Sometimes a text loses cohesion – the reader gets confused.
You can spot problems when pronouns are unclear (e.g., 'John and Tom went to the park. He played football.' – who is 'he'?).
To repair, replace unclear pronouns with names or add linking words.
Read your writing aloud to check if it flows smoothly.

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1.What is cohesion?
Easy
- AThe grammatical and lexical linking within a text that holds it together
- BThe way a text is printed on paper
- CThe use of pictures in a story
- DThe length of a paragraph
2.Which of these is an example of anaphoric reference?
Easy
- AThe taxi driver was tired. He had been driving all day.
- BHere he comes, our award-winning host... it's John Doe!
- CEverything will be fine.
- DThe Queen of England
3.Exophoric reference can create cohesion in a text.
Easy
True or false?
4.In the sentence 'The younger child was very outgoing, the older much more reserved.', what is the omitted word from the second clause?
Medium
- Achild
- Bwas
- Coutgoing
- Dreserved
5.Which of the following is an example of lexical cohesion through collocation?
Medium
- AOnce upon a time
- BHe said he would come, but he didn't.
- CThe cat sat on the mat. The cat was happy.
- DI like apples. I like oranges.
6.Which of the following are types of grammatical cohesion? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AReference
- BEllipsis
- CSubstitution
- DRepetition
- ECollocation
7.Match each cohesive device to its example.
Medium
- Anaphoric reference
- Cataphoric reference
- Ellipsis
- John lost his keys. He was upset.
- Here it comes, the big moment!
- I wanted chocolate, but she wanted vanilla.
8.Using the same word repeatedly in a text is an example of lexical cohesion.
Medium
True or false?

Plus de questions

9.In the sentence 'Here he comes, our award-winning host... it's John Doe!', what type of reference is 'he'?
Medium
- ACataphoric
- BAnaphoric
- CExophoric
- DHomophoric
10.Which of the following is an example of substitution?
Medium
- AI like the red dress. I like the blue one.
- BI like the red dress. I like the blue dress.
- CI like the red dress. I like it.
- DI like the red dress. The blue is nice.
11.Ellipsis means omitting words that are repeated.
Easy
True or false?
12.Which of the following is an example of anaphoric reference?
Medium
- AThe dog barked. It was loud.
- BHere she comes, the winner!
- CThe Queen of England
- DEverything is fine.
13.Which of the following are cohesive devices? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AReference
- BEllipsis
- CSubstitution
- DPunctuation
- ECapitalization
14.Put the steps in order to show how to create cohesion in a paragraph.
Medium
- Introduce a character
- Use a pronoun to refer back
- Repeat a key word
- Add a conjunction
15.Put these sentences in order to create a cohesive paragraph.
Medium
- First, we visited the museum.
- After that, we had lunch.
- Finally, we went home.
16.Which of the following are examples of grammatical cohesion? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AUsing 'he' to refer back to 'the boy'
- BUsing 'frock' as a synonym for 'dress'
- COmitting 'child' in 'the older much more reserved'
- DUsing 'once upon a time' as a collocation
17.In the sentence 'The younger child was very outgoing, the older much more reserved.', what is omitted from the second clause?
Medium
- Achild and was
- Byounger and child
- Coutgoing and reserved
- Dthe and older
18.Which of the following is an example of cataphoric reference?
Medium
- AJohn was late. He missed the bus.
- BHere she comes, our winner, Sarah!
- CThe girls played. They laughed.
- DI saw a dog. It was brown.
19.Which sentence uses substitution to avoid repetition?
Medium
- AI like the red dress. I will wear the red dress.
- BI like the red dress. I will wear the pink one.
- CI like the red dress. It is pretty.
- DI like the red dress. The dress is red.
20.In the sentence 'Emma loves her dog. She takes it for a walk every day.', which word is an example of anaphoric reference?
Easy
- AEmma
- BShe
- Cdog
- Dwalk
21.Which word best completes the sentence to create cohesion? 'Tom was late for school. ______, he missed the bus.'
Medium
- ATherefore
- BHowever
- CFor example
- DMeanwhile
22.In the sentence 'The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day.', what does 'It' refer to?
Medium
- Athe sun
- Bthe day
- Cthe shining
- Dthe weather
23.Using the pronoun 'he' to refer back to 'the boy' is an example of anaphoric reference.
Easy
True or false?
24.Which of the following sentences use substitution to avoid repetition? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AI like the red apple, but she likes the green one.
- BThe cake was delicious. It was gone in minutes.
- CJohn plays the piano, and Mary does too.
- DThe children were tired, the adults less so.
25.Put the sentences in order to create a cohesive paragraph.
Medium
- She opened the book.
- It was a story about a brave knight.
- The knight fought a dragon.
- In the end, he saved the kingdom.
26.Which sentence is more cohesive?
Medium
- AThe boy was hungry. The boy ate a sandwich.
- BThe boy was hungry. He ate a sandwich.
- CThe boy was hungry. A sandwich was eaten.
- DThe boy was hungry. The sandwich was eaten by him.
27.Read this short extract: 'The cat sat on the mat. It purred loudly.' Which word in the second sentence refers back to 'the cat'?
Medium
- Asat
- Bmat
- CIt
- Dpurred
28.Read this extract: 'The team celebrated their victory. They had trained hard all season.' What does 'They' refer to?
Medium
- Athe victory
- Bthe team
- Cthe season
- Dthe celebrations
29.In the extract 'The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day.', the word 'It' refers to 'the sun'.
Easy
True or false?
30.Read this extract: 'The old house stood on the hill. Its windows were broken.' What does 'Its' refer to?
Medium
- Athe hill
- Bthe house
- Cthe windows
- Dthe old
31.Read this extract: 'The children were excited. They ran to the playground. The swings were their favourite.' Which words are examples of anaphoric reference? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AThey
- Bthe playground
- Ctheir
- Dswings
32.Put these sentences in order to create the most cohesive paragraph.
Medium
- She opened the book.
- It was about ancient Egypt.
- The pages were old and yellowed.
33.In the extract 'The teacher entered the room. She carried a stack of books.', the word 'She' is an example of cataphoric reference.
Easy
True or false?
34.Read this extract: 'The storm raged all night. By morning, the wind had died down, but the rain continued. It was not until noon that the sun finally appeared.' What does 'It' refer to?
Hard
- Athe wind
- Bthe rain
- Cthe sun
- Dthe storm
35.Read this extract: 'The train was late. Passengers waited on the platform. They looked at their watches.' Which words help to link the sentences together? (select all that apply)
Medium
- Atrain
- BPassengers
- CThey
- Dtheir
36.Which of the following is NOT one of the five general categories of cohesive devices identified by Halliday and Hasan?
Easy
- AReference
- BEllipsis
- CSubstitution
- DPunctuation
37.In the sentence 'Which ice-cream would you like?' – 'I would like the pink one.', what type of cohesive device is 'one'?
Easy
- AEllipsis
- BSubstitution
- CReference
- DLexical cohesion
38.Which of the following is an example of lexical cohesion through repetition?
Medium
- AI will wear my green frock. That dress is pretty.
- BThe cat sat on the mat. It purred.
- CI like apples. I like bananas too.
- DHe was late. Consequently, he missed the bus.
39.Which of the following is an example of conjunction showing contrast?
Medium
- AHowever
- BTherefore
- CFor example
- DIn addition
40.Which of the following are examples of lexical cohesion? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AUsing 'he' to refer to 'the boy'
- BRepeating the word 'forest'
- CUsing 'frock' as a synonym for 'dress'
- DOmitting 'child' from a second clause
- EUsing 'once upon a time'
41.What is the term for a reference that points forward in a text?
Easy
42.Complete the sentence with the correct cohesive device.
Easy
In the example 'Which ice-cream would you like?' – 'I would like the pink ____', the word 'one' is used instead of repeating 'ice-cream'. This is called ____.
43.What is the term for a reference that points backward in a text?
Easy
44.Complete the sentence with the correct term.
Medium
In the phrase 'the Queen', the meaning depends on the country in which it is spoken. This is an example of ____ reference.
45.What type of reference is used in the sentence 'Here he comes, our award-winning host... it's John Doe!' for the word 'he'?
Medium
46.What type of reference is used in the sentence 'Look at that! It's a rainbow.' for the word 'it'?
Medium
47.Complete the sentence with the correct word to create cohesion.
Easy
The weather was terrible. ____, we decided to stay indoors.
48.Complete the sentence with the correct pronoun to create cohesion.
Medium
The dog barked loudly. ____ wanted to go outside.
49.What is the term for the grammatical and lexical linking within a text that holds it together and gives it meaning?
Easy
50.Fill in the blanks with the two main types of cohesion.
Easy
The two main types of cohesion are ____ cohesion and ____ cohesion.
51.What is the name for a reference that points forward in a text?
Easy
52.In the sentence 'The younger child was very outgoing, the older much more reserved.', what word is omitted from the second clause? (Write the word only.)
Easy
53.Explain why exophoric reference is not considered cohesive, and give an example.
Hard
54.Explain the difference between anaphoric and cataphoric reference, and give an example of each.
Hard
55.Why is cohesion important in writing? Give a reason and an example.
Hard
56.Explain how the use of the pronoun 'it' in the second sentence creates cohesion: 'The cat sat on the mat. It purred loudly.'
Hard
57.Give an example of substitution and explain how it creates cohesion.
Medium

Notes de révision

## Cohesion: Linking Ideas Across Paragraphs Cohesion is what holds a text together so the reader never gets lost. It's like glue for your writing. There are two main types: **grammatical cohesion** (using grammar to link ideas) and **lexical cohesion** (using words to link ideas). ### 1. Reference Reference means using words to point back or forward to something already mentioned or about to be mentioned. - **Anaphoric reference**: pointing back. Example: "The taxi driver was tired. **He** had been driving all day." Here, "he" refers back to "the taxi driver." - **Cataphoric reference**: pointing forward. Example: "**Here he comes**, our award-winning host... it's John Doe!" The "he" is explained later. - **Exophoric reference**: pointing outside the text. Example: "Everything will be fine." This doesn't tie two things together, so it's NOT cohesive. ### 2. Ellipsis Ellipsis is leaving out words that are understood from earlier. Example: "The younger child was very outgoing, the older much more reserved." We know "child" and "was" are missing from the second part. ### 3. Substitution Substitution is replacing a word with a more general one. Example: "Which ice-cream would you like?" – "I would like the **pink one**." Here, "one" replaces "ice-cream." ### 4. Lexical Cohesion Lexical cohesion uses related words to link ideas. Two forms: - **Repetition**: using the same word or synonyms. Example: "Which dress are you going to wear?" – "I will wear my green **frock**." "Dress" and "frock" are synonyms. - **Collocation**: using words that often go together. Example: "once upon a time." ### 5. Conjunctions and Adverbials Conjunctions (like *and*, *but*, *because*) and adverbials (like *however*, *therefore*, *first*) show how ideas relate: addition, contrast, cause, sequence, example, summary. ### Topic Sentences A topic sentence at the start of a paragraph can link back to the previous paragraph, keeping the flow smooth. ### Spotting and Repairing If a text feels jumpy, check for missing references, repeated words, or unclear pronouns. Fix it by adding cohesive devices. Remember: Cohesion makes your writing clear and easy to follow!

Cohesion: The grammatical and lexical linking within a text that holds it together and gives it meaning.
Grammatical cohesion: Cohesion based on structural content, like using pronouns or conjunctions.
Lexical cohesion: Cohesion based on word choices, like repetition and collocation.
Anaphoric reference: Referring back to something already mentioned, often with a pronoun (e.g., 'he' for 'the taxi driver').
Cataphoric reference: Referring forward to something that will be identified later (e.g., 'Here he comes... it's John Doe!').
Exophoric reference: Referring to something outside the text, not cohesive because it doesn't tie two elements together.
Ellipsis: Omitting words that are understood from context (e.g., 'the older much more reserved' omits 'child was').
Substitution: Replacing a word with a more general one (e.g., 'one' instead of repeating 'ice-cream').
Repetition: Using the same word or synonyms to link ideas (e.g., 'dress' and 'frock').
Collocation: Using words that typically go together (e.g., 'once upon a time').
Conjunction: A word that connects clauses or sentences, showing relationships like addition, contrast, or cause.
Adverbial: A word or phrase that modifies a verb, often used to show relationships like sequence or summary (e.g., 'first', 'therefore').
Topic sentence: A sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph and can link to the previous paragraph.

Cartes mémo

What is cohesion in writing?

Cohesion is the glue that holds a text together. It uses words and grammar to link ideas so readers can follow along.

Name the two main types of cohesion.

The two main types are grammatical cohesion (using grammar) and lexical cohesion (using words).

What does 'anaphoric reference' mean?

Anaphoric reference is when you refer back to someone or something already mentioned. For example, using 'he' instead of repeating 'the taxi driver'.

Give an example of anaphoric reference.

Example: 'The girls went to the park. They played on the swings.' Here, 'They' refers back to 'the girls'.

What is cataphoric reference?

Cataphoric reference is when you refer forward to something before it is named. For example, 'Here he comes, our award-winning host... it's John Doe!'

Give an example of cataphoric reference.

Example: 'Listen to this: you are the winner!' The word 'this' points forward to the news.

What is exophoric reference?

Exophoric reference is when you refer to something outside the text without naming it. For example, saying 'everything' without explaining what 'everything' is.

Why is exophoric reference not cohesive?

Because it does not link two ideas inside the text. It points outside, so it doesn't tie the text together.

What is homophoric reference?

Homophoric reference is a phrase that gets its meaning from context. For example, 'the Queen' means the queen of the country you are in.

What is ellipsis?

Ellipsis is when you leave out words that are understood from earlier. For example, 'The younger child was outgoing, the older much more reserved.'

Give an example of ellipsis in writing.

Example: 'I like apples, but my brother likes oranges.' The second part could be 'my brother likes oranges' but 'likes' is understood.

What is substitution?

Substitution is replacing a word with a more general word to avoid repetition. For example, using 'one' instead of repeating 'ice-cream'.

Give an example of substitution.

Example: 'Which ice-cream would you like?' – 'I would like the pink one.' Here, 'one' substitutes for 'ice-cream'.

What is lexical cohesion?

Lexical cohesion is linking ideas by choosing related words. It includes repetition and collocation.

What are the two forms of lexical cohesion?

The two forms are repetition (using the same word or synonyms) and collocation (using words that often go together).

Give an example of repetition for cohesion.

Example: 'I will wear my green frock. The dress is my favorite.' Here, 'frock' and 'dress' are synonyms that link the sentences.

What is collocation?

Collocation is using words that commonly appear together, like 'once upon a time'. It helps link ideas because the words are related.

Give an example of collocation.

Example: 'The cat chased the mouse.' 'Cat' and 'mouse' often go together in stories, so they create cohesion.

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence is the main idea of a paragraph. It often links back to the previous paragraph to keep the text cohesive.

How can you link ideas across paragraphs?

You can use pronouns, synonyms, repeated key words, and linking words like 'however' or 'therefore' to connect paragraphs.

What are conjunctions used for in cohesion?

Conjunctions like 'and', 'but', 'because' show how ideas relate, such as addition, contrast, or cause, making the text flow.

What is an adverbial that signals sequence?

Words like 'first', 'next', 'finally' are adverbials that show the order of events, helping to link ideas.

How can you spot a lack of cohesion?

If a text is hard to follow because pronouns are unclear or ideas jump around, it may lack cohesion. You can fix it by adding linking words or repeating key words.

What does 'ambiguous reference' mean?

Ambiguous reference is when a pronoun could refer to more than one thing, confusing the reader. For example, 'John told Peter he was wrong' – who is 'he'?

Why is it important to avoid ambiguous reference?

Because it confuses the reader and breaks the flow of the text. Clear references keep the text cohesive.

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