Example of non-cohesive text
time to complete: 20 minutes
What makes a text not cohesive?
Let’s first take a look at the Extract A, the text that was NOT cohesive and try to understand why it wasn’t. Read it again and think about the following questions:
- Why is it difficult to understand the topic of the text? What would help right at the start?
- What is the problem with the use of pronouns such as you, your, she etc? Why might it cause confusion?
- The writer uses many words with similar meanings: flaws, limitations, problems, obstacles, barriers, constraints. Why might this be distracting for the reader?
- Does the writer sometimes repeat words/phrases? Where do you notice that? Do you think this has a positive or negative effect on the reader?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to see the connection between some of the sentences that are right next to each other?
Extract A
It might seem instinctive to hide any flaws – limitations with your research to protect himself from criticism.
A student needs to highlight any problems she encountered during the investigation phase, any restrictions with your approach.
Markers are expecting pupils to engage with obstacles. Draw attention to the kind of impact barriers may have had on their examination.
Be careful that you do not overemphasise the constraints. Overemphasising the constraints could undermine the reliability and validity of their consequences. Overemphasising the constraints could undermine the character as an experimenter.
Task:Below is an explanation of why the text is not cohesive. Can you drag the missing words into their correct place to complete the explanation?