In one line
Cohesive devices are the language tools that link sentences and paragraphs so that writing reads as one connected text instead of separate statements.
Explained simply
Read this: 'Ravi bought a laptop. Ravi's laptop is fast. Ravi uses Ravi's laptop for coding.' Correct, but robotic. Now: 'Ravi bought a laptop. It is fast, and he uses it for coding.' Words like 'it' and 'he' glue the sentences together. That glue is cohesion.
Technically, cohesion is the grammatical and lexical linking within a text. The MU syllabus lists five cohesive devices: referencing, repetition, substitution, ellipsis and transition signals.
How it works
- Referencing: pronouns and words like this, that, these, such, the former, the latter point back (or forward) to something already named. 'The engineer tested the circuit. She found a loose joint.'
- Repetition: repeating a key word or using a synonym to keep the focus. 'Safety is our priority. Safety training is compulsory for all staff.'
- Substitution: replacing a word or phrase with 'one', 'ones', 'do', 'so', 'the same'. 'I lost my calculator, so I bought a new one.' 'Will the shipment arrive today? I think so.'
- Ellipsis: leaving out words that the reader can understand from context. 'Some students chose Mechanical; others, Civil.' (chose is omitted)
- Transition signals: linking words that show relationships: addition (moreover, furthermore), contrast (however, on the other hand), cause and effect (therefore, as a result), sequence (first, then, finally), example (for instance), conclusion (in short, thus).
Quick example
Without cohesion: 'The company launched a new app. The new app had bugs. Users complained. The company fixed the bugs. Users were happy.' With cohesion: 'The company launched a new app. However, it had several bugs, and users complained. The company quickly fixed them; as a result, users were satisfied, and ratings improved.' Devices used: referencing (it, them), transitions (however, as a result), repetition (the company).
Common mistakes
- Ambiguous referencing: 'The manager told the engineer that he was wrong' (who is 'he'?).
- Overusing transitions at the start of every sentence ('Moreover... Furthermore... Additionally...').
- Confusing substitution (replacing a word) with ellipsis (omitting it).
How MU asks it
Typical forms: 'Explain cohesive devices with examples' (5 marks) or 'Identify the cohesive devices used in the passage' (3 marks). Define cohesion, explain all five devices with one example sentence each, and show a short paragraph before and after adding cohesion.