cohesioncoherence.docx

1、cohesioncoherenceCoherence: A piece of writing is coherent if it is clearly organised and has a logical sequence of ideas.Cohesion: A paragraph or section of text is cohesive if the sentences are well structured, well linked together and there is no unnecessary repetition. This lesson will help you

2、to write more coherently and cohesively, by giving you practice in: using paragraphs in your essay using appropriate linking words between sentences choosing alternative words to avoid repetition and using the correct parts of speech.You can work by yourself , or with a partner Make sure that you re

3、ad the instructions very carefully before you begin each task.When you are ready, go to read the instructions for Task One. Task One: Ideas Page 1Here is a typical “for and against” essay question which you might be asked to write:Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying overseasBy yours

4、elf, or with a partner, make a list of all the advantages and disadvantages of studying overseas that you can think of. Type your ideas in the columns below.NB(nota bene): As these are only notes, you dont need to write whole sentences here. Words or short phrases will be enough. Advantagesof studyi

5、ng overseasDisadvantagesof studying overseasBeing independent lonelyImproving spoken English Homesick Extending the communication skills expensiveMore freedom Cultural shock When you have finished making your notes, go to Task Two on the next Page. Page 2 Task Two: Read and check Now read the Essay

6、Version A below to see if any of your ideas were mentioned. At this stage, do not worry about paragraphs or the missing “secret” words. Essay Version AMany young people choose to continue their education at colleges or universities in English-speaking countries such as Britain, Australia or America.

7、 , while studying overseas has clear advantages, it is not without its problems. In this essay, both points of view will be considered. , studying overseas has significant academic benefits. , the standard of education is very high the up-to-date equipment and resources that are available in college

8、s and universities. , the quality of teaching is also high, as teachers and lecturers are well-qualified professionals who are aware of all the latest developments in their fields of interest. , the qualifications which a student obtains are usually valid anywhere in the world. the obvious academic

9、benefits, students also gain experience of another culture, improve their language skills and meet many new people. living away from their families, they become more independent, tolerant and emotionally mature, all of which aids their personal development. , in some cases, studying abroad can have

10、quite negative effects. , if students are insufficiently prepared academically, they might have difficulties understanding lectures or writing assignments. , young students may have problems adjusting to a different culture with its unfamiliar climate, food and lifestyle. this, they may experience m

11、uch loneliness and home sickness. A final problem could be that some students adapt so successfully to Western culture that they have problems readjusting when they finally return home. , although there can be problems in studying abroad, most students, with appropriate preparation and support, shou

12、ld be able to overcome these obstacles. , the advantages of an overseas education far outweigh any of the disadvantages described above.How many of your own ideas were mentioned in the essay?Were there any ideas that you (and your partner) had not considered?Now go to the next task on the next Page.

13、 Page 3 Task Three: Adding paragraphsIn the above essay there were no clearly marked paragraphs. The absence of paragraphs can make a piece of writing difficult and confusing to read. In order to be coherent and easy to understand, an essay should be divided into clear paragraphs, each one containin

14、g a new idea or topic. The essay you have read can be divided into four or five paragraphs. (As the second paragraph is quite long, you can divide it into two shorter paragraphs, if you prefer.) Below is a chart showing the structure of the essay. Can you label the function of each paragraph? Type t

15、he missing words in the third column below. (One of the paragraphs has already been labelled.)Essay Structure 4-paragraph essay5-paragraph essayParagraph functionsParagraph 1Paragraph 1Introduction Paragraph 2Paragraphs 2 + 3Advantages Paragraph 3Paragraph 4DisadvantagesParagraph 4Paragraph 5Conclus

16、ion To check your answers, look at the bottom of the page or move your mouse here: On the next page is a copy of the essay (Version B). This time, read the essay through more carefully and decide where you think each new paragraph should begin. Insert each new paragraph by placing your cursor at the

17、 beginning of the first sentence and pressing the Enter key twice. There should be an empty line between each paragraph.Be careful: Each new paragraph must begin with one of the “secret” words, which looks like this: . Make sure that you place your cursor in front of the yellow box before you press

18、the Enter key.Now go to the next Page. Essay Version BMany young people choose to continue their education at colleges or universities in English-speaking countries such as Britain, Australia or America. , while studying overseas has clear advantages, it is not without its problems. In this essay, b

19、oth points of view will be considered. , studying overseas has significant academic benefits. , the standard of education is very high the up-to-date equipment and resources that are available in colleges and universities. , the quality of teaching is also high, as teachers and lecturers are well-qu

20、alified professionals who are aware of all the latest developments in their fields of interest. , the qualifications which a student obtains are usually valid anywhere in the world. the obvious academic benefits, students also gain experience of another culture, improve their language skills and mee

21、t many new people. living away from their families, they become more independent, tolerant and emotionally mature, all of which aids their personal development. , in some cases, studying abroad can have quite negative effects. , if students are insufficiently prepared academically, they might have d

22、ifficulties understanding lectures or writing assignments. , young students may have problems adjusting to a different culture with its unfamiliar climate, food and lifestyle. this, they may experience much loneliness and home sickness. A final problem could be that some students adapt so successful

23、ly to Western culture that they have problems readjusting when they finally return home. , although there can be problems in studying abroad, most students, with appropriate preparation and support, should be able to overcome these obstacles. , the advantages of an overseas education far outweigh an

24、y of the disadvantages described above. Now, go to Task Four. Task Four: Linking words and expressions Part AAnother problem with the essay is that the linking words are missing. Linking words and expressions are important because they connect ideas between sentences in a logical way. They help to m

25、ake the writing more cohesive. Linking words have functions. Place each of the linking words below into the appropriate column according to its function. Do this by highlighting each word, then copying and pasting it into the correct column. (As an example, two of the linking words have already been

26、 pasted into the correct columns.)neverthelessin additionas a ruledue toon the wholeas a result ofto begin withFor instancehoweverin conclusionbecause (of)furthermorein generalas well asAdding informationContrasting informationReason or resultin additionas well as furthermoreNevertheless However As

27、a result of Because(of)Due to Time or sequenceGiving examplesMaking generalisationsTo begin with For instance in conclusionas a ruleon the whole in general Part B Now, go back to the essay on page 8 and choose an appropriate linking word for each space marked . Now go to Task Five. Task Five: Vocabu

28、lary Work Page 6 Part ATo avoid repeating vocabulary, the essay uses words which are very close or similar in meaning. Try to find a word in the essay which has a similar meaning to each of the words in the first column and type it in the second column below.WordWord with same or similar meaningadva

29、ntagese.g. benefits, goodness, merits standardLevel, quality abroadOverseas adjustAdapt problemsDisadvantage, difficulties, obstacle differentdissimilar Part BWhen using vocabulary in your writing, it is important to choose the correct word form (or part of speech). The next exercise will help you t

30、hink about using words correctly and is a good way to increase your vocabulary. In the chart below, there are some more words from the essay. Complete the chart, adding nouns, verbs, adjectives where appropriate. Not all of the words will exist in all four forms. If you see a line ( ) in the space,

31、it means that this form of the word does not exist. NounVerbAdjectiveAdverbe.g.(im)maturitymature(im)mature(im)maturely(in)tolerancetoleratetoleranttolerantlySignificance signifysignificantsignificantlybenefitBenefit beneficialbeneficiallyvalidity-validvalidlydependencydependindependentindependentlyInsufficiency Suffice insufficientinsufficientlyfamiliarityfamiliarizeunfamiliarunfamiliarlyAdaptation adaptadaptable