Overview
Advanced cohesion devices include: lexical chains (using related words across a text), reference (this, these, such), substitution (do so, one), ellipsis, and connectors. Mastering these creates coherent, flowing academic prose rather than a series of disconnected sentences.
Reference Chains
- AnaphoraThe report was published. It revealed major flaws.
- CataphoraThis is the key finding: prices have doubled.
- The former/latter…theory and practice. The former is well-established; the latter is contested.
- SuchSuch findings suggest further investigation is needed.
Lexical Cohesion
- Repetition: reuse of key terms for emphasis and clarity.
- Synonym / near-synonym: policy → measure → initiative → approach
- Collocation chains: conduct a study → publish the results → replicate the findings
- Superordinate: oak, beech, pine → trees
Overuse and Errors
- ❌ Ambiguous reference: John told Mike he had failed — who failed?
- ❌ Overusing 'this' cataphorically without clear referent.
- Vary cohesion type — don't rely entirely on pronouns or repetition.
When to use
Academic writing
The former approach prioritises speed; the latter, accuracy.
Business reports
Such delays have significant financial implications for the project.
Journalism
The policy was widely criticised. Such measures rarely achieve their aims.
Essay cohesion
This analysis, then, leads to a broader conclusion about governance.