Cohesion and reference

English · C1

The rule

Connect paragraphs through their ideas, not just linking words. Make pronoun references clear. Avoid using this or they when several possible referents appear in the previous sentence.

Example

The policy increased costs. This increase affected smaller firms most.

Practice

1. Why is “this increase” clearer than “this”?

  1. It names the reference
  2. It adds a new claim
  3. It changes the tense
  4. It removes all detail
Answer and explanation

It names the reference

Naming increase identifies the reference.

2. Good cohesion depends on…

  1. Many random connectors
  2. Clear relationships between ideas
  3. Longer words only
  4. Identical sentences
Answer and explanation

Clear relationships between ideas

The reader needs to follow the relationship between ideas.

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