Cohesion
Daniel Gerrard
daniel.gerrard@cjv.muni.cz
Reorder the text
a. Although he is remembered mainly as an artist, he was
also an innovative engineer, scientist and anatomist.
b. However, they include the Mona Lisa and the Last
Supper, the former perhaps the most famous painting in
the world.
c. Leonardo da Vinci was a fifteenth-century Italian genius
who produced only a handful of finished works.
How did you decide the correct order?
Leonardo da Vinci was a fifteenth-century Italian genius
who produced only a handful of finished works. However,
they include the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, the former
perhaps the most famous painting in the world. Although he
is remembered mainly as an artist, he was also an
innovative engineer, scientist and anatomist.
Ways of creating cohesion in a text
Leonardo da Vinci was a fifteenth-century Italian genius
who produced only a handful of finished works. However,
they include the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, the former
perhaps the most famous painting in the world. Although he
is remembered mainly as an artist, he was also an
innovative engineer, scientist and anatomist.
Student writing: what’s the problem? (1)
Gabrenya, Latane & Wang (1981) and Albanese & Van Fleet (1985)
note that as group sizes increase there is a tendency for the effort
put in by the group to be less than the average effort put in by
individuals engaged on the same task separately. Albanese & Van
Fleet (1985) report on the 'free-rider problem', where the collective
nature of the 'contract' obscures the fact of one member failing to
honour their part of the contract. Gabrenya, Latane & Wang (1981,
p.180) discuss the phenomenon of 'social loafing' and typically
define it as "one where everyone puts in a little less".
Student writing: what’s the problem? (2)
Louie rushed and got ready for work, but, when he went out the
door, he saw the snowstorm was very heavy. Therefore, he decided
not to go to work. Then, he sat down to enjoy his newspaper.
However, he realized his boss might get angry because he did not
go to the office. Finally, he made another decision, that he must go
to work. So, he went out the door and walked to the bus stop.
Six ways of creating cohesions
1. REFERENCE
2. CONJUNCTION
3. SUBSTITUTION
4. ELLIPSIS
5. LEXIS
6. COHESIVE NOUNS
Task 1 Answers
1. REFERENCE - f) Tom went alone to the party, which was fancy dress, and he made
his costume himself.
2. CONJUNCTION - d) Firstly, we need to water all the plants because the weather has
been very dry.
3. SUBSTITUTION - a) I need to buy some new shoes and those blue ones look lovely!
4. ELLIPSIS - e) Ann was quite happy to pick up the snake, although the others did not
want to [pick up the snake].
5. LEXIS - c) The students attending the lecture all took notes and asked a lot of
questions.
6. COHESIVE NOUNS - b) The two cars hit each other on the motorway. However,
nobody was hurt in the accident.