Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Working toward coherence II Writing

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB In the previous unit, we mentioned that there are two devices that will help you achieve coherence in your writing:  — transitional words and phrases that show specific kinds of relationships  — the repetition of or reference to key terms We have discussed the former. Now, we’ll focus on the latter.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB As you write, you will constantly look back by referring to concepts or items that you have already mentioned. To avoid confusion resulting from needless repetition of terms or ideas mentioned previously, you use devices such as:  pronoun reference  substitution  synonyms  derivatives  general term for a specific key word or a specific term for a general key word

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Pronoun reference: When you make repeated mention of a particular item, you use a pronoun in reference to it, instead of naming it again. The pronouns you may use are either personal (he, she, it, they…), demonstrative (this, that, these…) or relative (who, whom, which…).

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Example 1: Each teenager is expected to cover his or her own expenses for articles for personal use, entertainment, long-distance telephone calls and clothing. Towards this, they should budget between $200 to $300 a month. Example 2: Basically, most students leave knowing they will have to do without their accustomed parental protection and learn to take care of themselves. However, no one packs his or her bags alone.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Example 3: Every year the United States is host to an average of 78,000 foreign high school level students, of which 3,000 are Brazilian. All of them go for the same reason—to become fluent in English, complete high school, and understand everything they can about the American way of life. =78,000 foreign high school level students

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Substitution: Substitution can also be used to avoid useless repetition. Commonly used substitutions include: here, there, now, then, this way, thus, such, this kind of, the same, to that extent, to such a degree. The following are some examples. Example 1: Very few arrive in the country with all the details worked out. Gloria Marcato is one of the lucky ones. (lucky ones = lucky students)

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Example 2: Parents always give suggestions, or even take on the task themselves. The youngsters frequently show their lack of practice at such things. Example 3: Another moment of tension descends while students await the domestic flight that will take them to their temporary home in America. From then on it’s everyone for himself. (Para.9)

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Synonyms: If you have to refer to a certain key word yet you don’t want to repeat it, you may use its synonym. For example: All scientists have the tendency to be meticulous in their treatment of data. This inclination to be extra careful in handling details in their experiments seems to be inherent in them. inclination=tendency meticulous in their treatment of data= extra careful in handling details

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Derivative: derivation is also used for reference to a key word when the key word need to appear in another sentence in a different part of speech. For instance: Some plants were exposed to the sunlight. This exposure made them sturdy.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB General term in reference to a specific key word or a specific term to a general key word: When you want to restate a certain word, you may also use a general term to summarize the key word or use a specific word to clarify it. For example: However, no one packs his or her bags alone. Parents always give suggestions, or even take on the task themselves.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Apply reference devices to the sets of sentences below to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB This plant in the shade is too small. I need a bigger plant. Do you think scientists know a lot? I think they know a lot. one do

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB When a scientist wants to find out common factors to account for known facts, the scientist chooses the method of the “controlled experiment”. he Many people suffer from the disease. The disease can be cured.,which

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Time is one of the important things to consider in an experiment. The scientist should take time into consideration when he structures an experiment. this factor The doctor arrived just in time to save the injured driver. The driver didn’t anticipate the doctor would arrive. the doctor’s arrival, who

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB Write a paragraph, using the devices mentioned: the repetition of or reference to key terms. Don ’ t forget these devices can help you achieve coherence in your writing.

Copyright© 2007 Foreign Language Department of CUEB