Linking ideas: connectives and cohesion

Cohesion is what makes a text flow, so the sentences and paragraphs link together. Connectives (⟦however⟧, ⟦therefore⟧, ⟦firstly⟧, ⟦for example⟧) show how one idea relates to the next. Pronouns and other words that refer back (⟦it⟧, ⟦they⟧, ⟦this⟧, ⟦there⟧) link ideas without repeating the same words.

Key facts

  • Adding an idea: ⟦also⟧, ⟦in addition⟧, ⟦furthermore⟧, ⟦moreover⟧.
  • Contrast: ⟦however⟧, ⟦on the other hand⟧, ⟦nevertheless⟧. Result: ⟦therefore⟧, ⟦as a result⟧, ⟦consequently⟧.
  • Order: ⟦firstly⟧, ⟦next⟧, ⟦then⟧, ⟦finally⟧. Example: ⟦for example⟧, ⟦for instance⟧.
  • At the start of a sentence, a connective is followed by a comma: ⟦However, most of the class passed.⟧
  • Referring back: ⟦The museum opened in 1990. It has 300 paintings.⟧ ⟦It⟧ means the museum, so the writer doesn't repeat it.

Worked examples

Example 1

Choose: ⟦It was raining heavily. (However / Therefore), the match was cancelled.⟧

  1. The cancelled match is a result of the rain.
  2. A result takes ⟦Therefore⟧: ⟦Therefore, the match was cancelled.⟧

Answer: ⟦Therefore⟧

Example 2

What does ⟦However⟧ show? ⟦The test was difficult. However, most of the class passed.⟧

  1. A difficult test would make us expect people to fail.
  2. ⟦However⟧ shows the opposite happened: a contrast.

Answer: a contrast

Example 3

What does ⟦They⟧ refer to? ⟦Leo and Sam missed the bus. They had to walk to school.⟧

  1. ⟦They⟧ is plural and refers to people already mentioned.
  2. It means ⟦Leo and Sam⟧.

Answer: ⟦Leo and Sam⟧