Cohesive Devices

•Cohesive devices/Transitional devices show the

logical relationships between the various parts of
an essay as well as between sentences and
paragraphs.
•Cohesive devices include:
• transitional words and expressions,
• paragraph hooks
 What are they?

• cohesive devices are like bridges

between parts of your paper
• They are cues that help the reader to
interpret ideas in the way that you, as a
writer, want them to understand
 What do they do?
• cohesive devices help you carry over a thought
from one sentence to another, from one idea to
another, or from one paragraph to another with
words or phrases.
• These devices link your sentences and
paragraphs together smoothly so that there are
no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.
 Why do you use them?
• cohesive words and phrases are used to
link sentences and paragraphs, to show
which direction your thought patterns are
going, to help the reader accurately follow
your train of thought.
• They signal the relationships among the
various parts of your subject.
 Types:

• There are several types of cohesive devices,

and each category leads your reader to make
certain connections or assumptions about the
areas you are connecting.
• Some lead your reader forward and imply the
"building" of an idea or thought,
• while others make your reader compare ideas
or draw conclusions from the preceding
thoughts.
 To signal relation in time:

• Before, meanwhile, later, soon, at

last, earlier, thereafter, afterward, by
that time, from then on, first, next,
now, presently, shortly, immediately,
finally
 To signal similarity:

• If you want to show similarity, you can use

cohesive devices such as:
• And,equally, also,identically,too,equally,simila
rly, likewise,once again, once more
 To introduce an item
• If you want to introduce an item in a series,
you can use:
• First, then,in the first place,in addition,in the
second place,finally
 To signal difference:
• But, yet, however, although,
whereas, though, even so,
nonetheless, still, on the other hand,
on the contrary
 To signal consequences:
• As a result, consequently, therefore,
hence, for this reason
 Example:

• I knew my dieting had gotten out of

hand, but when I could actually see the
movement of my heart beating beneath
my clothes, I knew that I was in trouble.
At first, the family doctor reassured my
parents that my rapid weight loss was a
“temporary phase among teenage
girls.” However, when I, at fourteen
years old and five feet tall, weighed in
at 63 pounds, my doctor…
 Paragraph Transitions
• Transition words are audience cues that
help the reader shift from one paragraph
to the next.
• These connections between paragraphs
help the reader see the relationships of
the various parts.
• Transition words or phrases at the
beginning of a new paragraph—such as
first, second, next, another, finally, on the
other hand, however—show the reader
where the essay is going next.
 Commonly Used Transitions
• See pp. 114-15 of your Handbook
 Paragraph hooks:

• In addition to transition words,

writers often tie paragraphs
together by repeating a key word
or idea from a previous paragraph
in the opening sentence of the
next paragraph.
• This “hooks” the paragraphs
together, creating for the reader a
logical flow of thought.
For example:
Cohesive Devices (Linking words): Matching
Exercise 1
Put the following linking words in the
categories mentioned.
• In short,furthermore, on the other hand,
therefore,second,for
example,consequently,besides,however,ins
tead,next,also,as a result,in spite
of,although,then,in the end,in
conclusion,for
instance,whereas,thus,moreover,while
• –––– the Congress and the PDP inch
towards formation of a new government in
Jammu and Kashmir, one lone Kashmiri sits
in Tihar jail, accused for crimes ––– he
could be hanged for, –––– proved guitly.
The case of Abdul Gilani, –––– was a
lecturer in a Delhi College, is an example of
–––– shocking such incidents could be for
ordinary citizens.
• [How, While, If, Who, That]
Many tribal women are unable to feed their children ––––
they have no land to till. –––hundreds of women are
facing similar situations. –––––– the land records do not
have the names of wives, the husbands sell the land ––––
use a large part of the money to buy liquior. ––––– they
are not judicious in spending money.
[And, In fact, As, Since, Moreover]

The methods of reading usually differ in accordance with

the contents of books, –––––all books should be read with
equal seriousness. Amusement is not the main objective
of reading –––––– a good book, ––––– it is a novel or a
biography or a drama, always deals with some aspect of
knowledge –––– helps us to know life better. It is –––––
said –––– books are the best teachers.
[Therefore, because, but, whether, and, that]
I am called the Safety Equipment Officer. It may sound like an
impressive title,––––– it’s not a very accurate description of
what I do. My main job is to provide protective clothing, ––––
overalls, helmets and so on. I estimate what the different
departments will need and –––– I order it from the suppliers.
–––– I make sure that the various departments have everything
they want. ––––– stationary is also my responsibility.
• [However, But, Such as, Then, In this way]
• Many people will come to the meeting –––– the speaker
is well-known. ––––– we need a bigger hall ––––– at least
two hundred persons can be seated. We wanted to book
the Lenin Bhavan, –––– it is already booked for that day.
–––– we are trying to reserve the town hall –––– it does
not have an air-conditioner.
[Though, therefore, but, because, however, so that]
• 10. When I reached the bus stand, I discovered I had
missed my usual bus –––– I reached the office on time –––
a friend was kind enough to give me a lift on his scooter.
–––– I reached office, I heard a noise ––––– came from
inside my boss’s room. I went inside the room –––– found
that a burglar had broken open the almirah ––––– many
important documents were kept.
[Because, when, and, where, but, which]