Cohesion within paragraphs
Use cohesive devices within a paragraph — including pronouns, adverbials (then, after that, firstly), and synonyms — to link sentences and build a coherent flow of ideas
What a learner can do afterwards
- Replace repeated nouns with pronouns or synonyms to maintain cohesion without ambiguity, e.g. 'The explorer found a cave. She examined it carefully'
- Use adverbials of sequence (firstly, then, next, finally) and cause (therefore, as a result, consequently) to connect ideas within a paragraph
- Identify where cohesion breaks down in a paragraph and insert appropriate linking devices to improve the flow
The lesson
A good paragraph doesn't feel like a list of separate facts. Each sentence connects to the one before it. You can build that connection with pronouns, with connecting words called adverbials, and with synonyms instead of repeating the same noun again and again.
Read this: 'Maya opened the old box. Maya found a photograph inside the box. Maya smiled.' Every sentence starts with 'Maya'. Now read this: 'Maya opened the old box. Inside, she found a photograph. The girl smiled.' The pronoun 'she' and the synonym 'the girl' link the sentences without repeating the name.
Some adverbials show cause instead of order: therefore, as a result, consequently. 'It rained all night. As a result, the football match was cancelled.' The second sentence explains what happened because of the first.
Link your sentences with pronouns, synonyms, and adverbials instead of repeating the same noun or starting every sentence the same way.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.