Section outline
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Coherence & Cohesion
Connect ideas, sentences and paragraphs using a variety of cohesive devices:
- logical bridges (parallel construction)
- carry the same idea of a topic over from sentence to sentence, i.e. successive sentences are constructed in parallel form
e.g. In the first stage, an idea can be generated by using a mind-map and some discussion. In the next stage, a clear plan of action can be produced in the form of a list.
- verbal bridges (back referencing/linking words)
- key words/phrases might be repeated in a number of sentences, or synonyms utilised instead to avoid exact repetition.
e.g. There are three stages to the pre-writing process: one to effect the generation of ideas, another to facilitate an action plan, and the third to research the information to be included in your text. In the first stage, an idea can be generated by using a mind-map and some discussion.
- words/phrases to link ideas between sentences for smooth transition
e.g. writing is a process, which can take a long time and involve many obstacles. However, when you are finished, you’ll see that it was worth the effort.
Coherence and cohesion are essential for aiding readability and idea communication. Coherence is about the unity of the ideas and cohesion the unity of structural elements. One way to do this is through the use of cohesive devices: logical bridges (repetition), verbal bridges (synonyms), linking words, and clear back referencing. If these types of devices are missing in the text, it not only becomes more difficult to read the text, but also to understand its contents since the reader must guess how the various parts of the paragraph or text are connected, which will involve re-reading sentences or larger sections more than once.
- logical bridges (parallel construction)
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Adverbs of Frequency are adverbs of time that answer the question "How frequently?" or "How often?". They tell us how often something happens. Here are some examples:
- daily, weekly, yearly
- often, sometimes, rarely
You probably see a difference between a) and b) above. With words like daily we know exactly how often. The words in a) describe definite frequency. On the other hand, words like often give us an idea about frequency but they don't tell us exactly. The words in b) describe indefinite frequency.
We separate them into two groups because they normally go in different positions in the sentence.
Adverbs of Definite Frequency
Examples:
- hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly
- every second, once a minute, twice a year
- once, twice, once or twice, three times
Adverbs of definite frequency, like all adverbs of definite time, typically go in END position. Look at these examples:
- Most companies pay taxes yearly.
- The manager checks the toilets every hour.
- The directors meet weekly to review progress.
Sometimes, usually for reasons of emphasis or style, some adverbs of definite frequency may go at the FRONT, for example:
- Every day, more than five thousand people die on our roads.
Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency
Look at these examples of adverbs of indefinite frequency:
100% always, constantly usually, normally frequently, regularly often 50% sometimes occasionally rarely, infrequently seldom hardly ever 0% never Adverbs of indefinite frequency mainly go in MID position in the sentence. They go before the main verb (except the main verb "to be"):
- We usually go shopping on Saturday.
- I have often done that.
- She is always late.
Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:
- Sometimes they come and stay with us.
- I play tennis occasionally.
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"):
- We see them rarely.
- John eats meat very seldom.
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