Writing Assessment Criterion #4: Sentences are logically connected.

In an essay, it is important that the writing is clear and logically connected. One way to show connection between sentences and ideas is to use transitional words or phrases. You have probably studied and used transitional words and phrases before. However, another connection strategy is to use cohesive ties. Cohesive ties are more difficult to study because there isn’t a set list of them to use. Cohesive ties are ways that you repeat or make reference to things that were already mentioned in your writing as a way to connect your sentences together.

Transitions

Transitions are used frequently throughout an essay to signal to a reader the special relationships between ideas presented in sentences. Different transitions are used to indicate different relationships. Below are some examples of commonly used transitions.
Relationship Transition
Similarity also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/ Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/ Order first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then, when, while
Example for example, for instance, in ___ case, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/ Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause & Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, another, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/ Summary finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary

Cohesive Ties

Good writers use cohesive ties. You might already use cohesive ties without knowing that you are using them. Basically, cohesive ties are the words or phrases that you repeat or that refer back to other ideas in a sentence in order to maintain the flow of writing and further highlight the connections of ideas for your reader.

Pronouns and synonyms are examples of cohesive ties, as well as demonstratives followed by a noun. Look at the paragraph below. The highlighted words are the cohesive ties. Without cohesive ties, sentences sound choppy, and it is easy to lose track of the main idea.

Prompt:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Only people who earn a lot of money are successful. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Example

For you, what does successful mean? Is it connected with money? Or is it connected with happiness? These questions are very relative when the subject is success. Nowadays, we are living in a society where capitalism imposes the way that we have to live. For example, we have to buy clothes, we have to buy food, and we have to pay bills for our basic needs like water and energy. Some people who earn a lot of money are happy, because they live comfortably, but at the same time, there are a lot of people who earn a lot of money, but they are not happy. I could not say that the people who are very rich but who are not happy have reached success.
Being consciously aware of cohesive ties means that you are intentionally repeating, referring back to, or rephrasing words or phrases in your sentences to make sure that they are logically connected.



Transition words taken from: Writing Center - Transitions

Exercise

Please click the Exercise link to continue.
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