Part One Cohesion
One characteristic of a good paragraph is cohesion.When a paragraph has cohesion, all the developing sentences“stick together”in their support of the topic sentence.The methods of connecting sentences to each other are called cohe-sive devices.Five cohesive devices are transition signals, pronoun reference, demonstrative pronouns, the definite article, and synonyms.
1.Transition Signals
Transition signals are words and/or phrases that help to connect sentences to each other.Compare the difference between the following two paragraphs: the first has no transition signals；the second has appropriate transition signals added.
Paragraph one
Part-time jobs for college students are a mixed feeling.They help young people earn some pocket money.It is satisfying for young people to help with their family finances.Jobs often distract students from their schoolwork.Many jobs are so boring that students get the idea that work is boring.
Paragraph two
Part-time jobs for college students are a mixed feeling.They help young people earn some pocket money.It is also satisfying for young people to help with their family finances.But on the other hand, jobs often distract students from their schoolwork.Moreover, many jobs are so boring that students get the idea that work is boring.
The transition signals of the second paragraph (such as also , but one the other hand , and moreover ) help the ideas stick together so well that this paragraph flows more smoothly than the first one.Note: do not overuse transition signals；instead, use them only when necessary, and vary their positions in your sentences.
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Below is a list of some transition signals quite useful to you.These transition signals are arranged according to their usage.
1) To signal relationship in time:
first/firstly/first of all
first and foremost
to begin with
in the first place
for one thing/for another thing