Lecture on Cohesion in Academic Writing

Introduction

• Speaker: John Connor Oskay
• Series provided by the National University of Science and Technology's Academic Writing Center
• Focus of Video: Importance of cohesion in academic writing
• Key Questions Addressed:
  1. What is cohesion?
  2. Why is cohesion important in writing?
  3. How can writing be made more cohesive?

What is Cohesion?

• Definition: Cohesion refers to the use of vocabulary and grammatical structures to connect ideas within a text.
• Cohesive Devices: Words and strategies used to clarify connections between ideas.

Importance of Cohesion in Writing

• Promotes clarity by ensuring sentences and paragraphs are related.
• English is a 'writer-responsible' language, meaning it's up to the writer to make connections clear.

Ways to Promote Cohesion

1. Pronouns

• Use different pronouns to avoid repetition and connect sentences.
• Example: "My professor’s lecture was interesting. It was about T.S. Eliot."

2. Lexical Signposts

• Words/phrases that guide the reader and organize writing.
• Categories include:
  • Lists: First, second, third
  • Examples: For example, for instance
  • Generalization: In general, on the whole
  • Results/Consequences: Therefore, thus
  • Summarization: In conclusion, overall
  • Alternatives: Alternatively, on the other hand
• Example paragraph demonstrating lexical signposts:
  • Writing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, feedback

3. Repeating Keywords

• Repeat keywords in a paragraph for coherence.
• Example: Discussion on economic conditions impacting the restaurant industry.

4. Anaphoric Nouns

• Use nouns that refer back to a previously mentioned concept.
• Example: "This situation" refers back to complex jargon in scientific reports.

5. Reviewing Work

• Review writing multiple times before submission.
• Helps understand connections between ideas and refine them.

Conclusion

• Cohesion is crucial for connecting ideas and ensuring clarity.
• Cohesive devices enhance the readability and understanding of academic writing.
• Encouragement to explore more cohesive devices.

• Contact Information: Academic Writing Center for further questions.
• Closing: John Connor Oskay, see you next time.