Cohesive Devices
Cohesive devices are words that tell the reader what to expect next.
Cohesive devices are words that we use to help readers follow our writing and prevent them from getting lost or confused.
These are words such as; also, but, however, in contrast, for example and because.
Cohesive devices tend to be formal or neutral, not informal.
Important Tip
Neutral cohesive devices can work in both formal and informal writing, but formal ones should only be used in formal contexts.
How/When are Cohesive Devices Used?
Generally, cohesive devices will have a specific purpose.
Purpose | examples |
|---|---|
To add another piece of information | furthermore, in addition, also |
To give an example | for example, for instance |
Sequencing | next, after that, before, subsequently |
Conjunctions | because, so, and, or, but |
As shown in the table above, you might have a cohesive device to add another piece of information. These would be cohesive devices like furthermore, in addition, and also.
Another purpose might be to give an example, so you might say for example or for instance.
You might use cohesive devices for sequencing like next, after that, before, subsequently.
Lastly, and what a lot of candidates don't realize, is that even normal conjunctions are considered to be cohesive devices. So words like because, so, and, or, but—these are also considered to be cohesive devices.
Using the Car Analogy to Improve your Cohesion
When you think of types of mistakes with cohesive devices you can think of driving a car. Using this metaphor, imagine you are driving and you want to turn left. Of course, you have an orange light called an indicator on the left side of the car, and when you want to turn left, you turn it on.
By turning on these lights, what you're doing is you're showing the people around you what you're about to do. You're letting everybody know that you're going to slow down and you're going to turn left, and this makes driving safer because you're letting everybody know what's happening.
Cohesive devices are very similar. What you're doing with cohesive devices is you're announcing and you're showing the reader what's coming up next, so they're never surprised and they're never confused.
When we talk about making inadequate use of cohesive devices, this might be that you turn left but you don't turn on the indicator, so you don't let anybody know. Therefore, the drivers around you will be confused. You might cause an accident.