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Cohesion

 

How to write cohesively

Cohesion within the paragraph is also developed through:

  • repetition of key words and associated synonyms (words with similar meanings) within the paragraph and following paragraphs.
  • substitution of pronouns for key words (e.g. they, these, those, it).

Sample paragraph

Notice the way the linking words clarify the flow of ideas.

Teams have become integral to the way in which organisations function. Currently, much of the work of organisations relies on the output of teams (Shearer 2009). According to Taylor (2010), considerable resources are invested to improve group function in recognition of the importance of groups to organisational functioning. Significantly, teams have become central to many organisations, contributing to them in many ways such as setting goals, budgeting, solving operational problems and building effective interpersonal relations. Consequently, the related benefits to organisations include reducing cost, creating new ideas and job designs, structural re-alignment and policy formulation (O'Malley 2008).

linking words
repetition
use of pronouns

[repetition: Teams] have become integral to the way in which [repetition: organisations] function. [linking word: Currently], much of the work of [repetition: organisations] relies on the output of [repetition: teams] (Shearer 2009). According to Taylor (2010), considerable resources are invested to improve [repetition: group function] in recognition of the importance of [repetition: groups] to [repetition: organisational functioning]. [linking word: Significantly], [repetition: teams] have become central to many [repetition: organisations], contributing to [pronouns: them] in many ways such as setting goals, budgeting, solving operational problems and building effective interpersonal relations. [linking word: Consequently], the related benefits to [repetition: organisations] include reducing cost, creating new ideas and job designs, structural re-alignment and policy formulation (O'Malley 2008).

Activity

Drag the five linking words into the text to complete the paragraph. Incorrect words will return to their original position.

, other factors can reduce the need for a leader. Certain individual and organisational variables can act as substitutes for leadership or neutralise the leader's influence. According to Searsen (2011), data from numerous studies demonstrates that in many situations, whatever behaviour leaders exhibit is irrelevant.
, employees' experience, training or the need for independence can neutralise the effect of leadership.
, Searson (2011, p. 72) asserts that these characteristics can create situations where direction and support from a leader and organisational structure are no longer required.
, the need for leadership varies according to the situation.
Therefore
For example
Further
Similarly
also

Activity

The following linking words: Similiarly. Also. For example. Further. Therefore; are linking words to the text provided below. Can you identify where each of them belong? All missing words will represented with an _ . A full text answer will be provided at the end. 

Missing Text: 

_, other factors can _ reduce the need for a leader. Certain individual and organisational variables can act as substitutes for leadership or neutralise the leader's influence. According to Searsen (2011), data from numerous studies demonstrates that in many situations, whatever behaviour leaders exhibit is irrelevant. _, employees' experience, training or the need for independence can neutralise the effect of leadership. _ Searson (2011, p. 72) asserts that these characteristics can create situations where direction and support from a leader and organisational structure are no longer required. _ , the need for leadership varies according to the situation.

Full text:

Similarly, other factors can also reduce the need for a leader. Certain individual and organisational variables can act as substitutes for leadership or neutralise the leader's influence. According to Searsen (2011), data from numerous studies demonstrates that in many situations, whatever behaviour leaders exhibit is irrelevant. For example, employees' experience, training or the need for independence can neutralise the effect of leadership. Further, Searson (2011, p. 72) asserts that these characteristics can create situations where direction and support from a leader and organisational structure are no longer required. Therefore , the need for leadership varies according to the situation.