Cohesive Devices in Writing Quiz: Adverbials, Repetition, and Ellipsis

Cohesive Devices in Writing: A Focus on Adverbials, Repetition, and Ellipsis

Cohesive devices play a crucial role in writing, as they help to create connections between ideas and paragraphs, ensuring that the text is coherent and easy to follow. These devices can be categorized into two types: lexical and grammatical. In this article, we will focus on the subtopics of adverbials, repetition, and ellipsis, which are all integral parts of cohesive devices.

Adverbials

Adverbials are words or phrases that modify verbs, adjectives, or other words in a sentence. They provide additional information about the time, place, manner, reason, or condition of the action or event described in the sentence. Examples of adverbials include:

• Time: "Yesterday, I went to the store."
• Place: "In the park, I saw a group of people playing."
• Manner: "He walked slowly and carefully."
• Reason: "I didn't go because I was tired."
• Condition: "If it rains, we will stay indoors."

Adverbials help to create cohesion by linking ideas and paragraphs together, ensuring that the text flows smoothly and logically.

Repetition

Repetition is the use of the same word or phrase multiple times within a text. While it might seem redundant, repetition can be a powerful tool when used strategically. Repetition can create cohesive ties within the text, emphasize key ideas, and strengthen the overall coherence of the text. Here are some examples of repetition in writing:

• "Birds are beautiful. I like birds."
• "Paul saw a snake under the mattress. The serpent was probably hiding there for a long time."
• "Old movies are boring. The new ones are much better."

Repetition can also be used to create a rhythm or cadence in the text, which can make the writing more engaging and memorable.

Ellipsis

Ellipsis refers to the omission of words or phrases that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This can be done to avoid redundancy, make the text more concise, or create a sense of urgency or emphasis. For example:

• "I'm going to the store. You coming?"
• "I've got a lot of work to do. Can't talk now."
• "The concert was amazing. Absolutely amazing."

Ellipsis can help to create cohesion by making the text more concise and direct, while still conveying the intended meaning.

In conclusion, cohesive devices such as adverbials, repetition, and ellipsis are essential tools for writers to create coherent and engaging texts. By understanding and employing these devices effectively, writers can ensure that their ideas flow smoothly and logically, making the text easy to follow and understand.