Cohesion

1
Cohesion

• Goal to help the reader follow the flow of ideas
• To do this writers use cohesive ties (words or
  phrases that signal their line of thought, giving
  indications of the structure or organization of
  ideas)

2
Form of Paragraphs

• The typical paragraph follows a certain pattern
• Umbrella sentence, which is often an assertion
  (a.k.a.. topic sentence)

3
Form of Paragraphs

• Supporting detail--to substantiate assertion or
  provide relevant facts
• Functional repetition of key words
• Signposts--but, in addition to, however, on the
  other hand, first, second, third, etc.

4
Deductive Paragraph

• Begins with a topic sentence
• Basic formula (subject controlling idea)
• Moves into specific support sentences

5
Advantages of the Deductive Structure

• Highlights the most important information
• Allows for speed reading
• Aids reader comprehension and retention

6
Advantages of the Deductive Structure

• Provides readers with an overview so they can
  then place details in context
• Forces writers to articulate their message
  clearly and succinctly

7
How to Achieve Cohesion

• Open with a topic sentence that sets up key terms
• Arrange sentences in a logical and discernible
  order

8
How to Achieve Cohesion

• Repeat key terms as subjects of sentences
• Use old/new principle (put familiar information
  first in sentences)
• Use traditional markers as signposts

9
Old/New Principle

• Information that is already known to readers is
  more psychologically accessible

10
Old/New Principle

• Therefore, arrange the order of the information
  in a sentence so that you
• 1) Begin with information that has already been
  introduced, is more familiar, and is less complex
• 2) Move toward information that is newer, less
  familiar, and more complex

11
Ways of Marking Logic

• Continuous relationship
• Continuous markers tell readers that what follows
  is what they would expect
• Continuous markers tell readers to go on

12
Ways of Marking Logic

• Discontinuous relationship
• Discontinuous markers tell readers what what
  follows is NOT what they would expect. (Tells
  readers to expect a reversal)

13
Goals for Final Report

• Rewrite sections/paragraphs to include
• Forecast statements
• Frame statements
• Given/new order
• A plan of development for each section
• Rewrite paragraphs to include
• Topic sentences
• Cohesive markers
• Signal words