Cohesion in one minute

Cohesion is the glue between sentences. Examiners look for clear links, not fancy words. You need:

• Accurate referencing so readers know who or what a pronoun means
• A managed theme-rheme flow so each new sentence grows from the last
• Lexical chains so key ideas repeat smartly without sounding repetitive

Referencing toolkit that never confuses

A. Pronouns with anchors

• Use this/that/these/those + noun: This policy, not just This.
• Keep distance short. If the referent is far away, rename it.

B. Comparative reference

• another, other, former, latter, such:
  • The scheme cuts fares. Such measures increase ridership.

C. Substitution and ellipsis

• do so, one/ones: Cities should expand bus lanes, and suburban towns should do so too.
• Ellipsis is fine in paired clauses: Some schools require uniforms, others do not.

D. Lexical chains
Repeat the idea with variety: public transport → buses → services → routes.
Aim for one anchor term every 2 to 3 sentences, then rotate synonyms or hypernyms.

Referencing test
Hide the first sentence. If the second starts with this, it, or they, can you still tell the referent? If not, add a noun.

Theme-rheme engine

• Theme: the starting point of the clause
• Rheme: the new information that follows

Progression patterns

1. Constant theme: keep the same theme to deepen one point.
   • Urban transit is costly. Urban transit also faces staffing gaps.
2. Linear progression: the rheme of S1 becomes the theme of S2.
   • Cities added bus lanes. These lanes reduced delays.
3. Split rheme: S1 introduces A and B, then S2 and S3 take A and B as themes.
   • The reform affects funding and quality. Funding will rise. Quality may lag.
4. Derived themes: an overall topic feeds several related themes.
   • Digital learning → devices, training, content.

Theme control moves

• Front a context: In large cities, peak traffic worsens.
• Use light subjects to park heavy info later: It is realistic to expect delays in the first year.

Before-and-after repair clinic

Original
Public transport should be cheaper. This is important. It helps them and it also reduces cars. This causes benefits.

Fixed with anchors and progression
Public transport should be cheaper. This policy is important for low-income commuters, who face high monthly costs. Lower fares reduce car use at the margin, and the resulting drop in traffic shortens average travel times.

Why it works

• Anchored this policy
• Linear chain: policy → lower fares → drop in traffic → shorter times

Paragraph blueprints that guide flow

A. Discussion both views

1. Theme 1: Opponents focus on cost.
2. Rheme 1: Infrastructure is expensive in dense areas.
3. Theme 2: These costs look high short term, but…
4. Rheme 2: …fare savings and time gains compound over years.
5. Link: Therefore, the long-run benefits can outweigh the initial outlay.

B. Problem-solution

1. Theme: A key problem is low sorting at source.
2. Rheme: Residents walk far to find recycling points.
3. Theme: This inconvenience lowers compliance.
4. Rheme: Bins on each floor raise capture rates.

C. Advantage vs disadvantage

• Constant theme for balance: Remote work benefits productivity. Remote work can also isolate staff.
• Use rebuttal bridge: Although isolation is a risk, brief in-person sprints limit it.

Plug-in sentence patterns

• Anchor repair: This → This approach/measure/trend/policy/issue.
• Bridge: This change leads to…, Such a shift can…, The former improves…, The latter risks…
• Lexical chain: youth unemployment → school leavers → graduates → entry-level workers.
• Theme fronts: In the short term, By contrast, For households, From a policy view.

Micro drills (10 minutes total)

1. Anchor sweep: Replace every bare this with this + noun in a paragraph.
2. Theme map: Underline the first 3 words of each sentence. Do you see constant, linear, or split? Adjust one sentence to create a clear chain.
3. Chain build: Write a four-item lexical chain for your topic.
4. Repair: Turn It helps people into an anchored sentence that names who and how.
5. Rebuttal link: Add one balanced counter-move using although or while plus a limiter like often.

Mini models to copy

Constant theme
Online learning is flexible. Online learning reduces commuting time. Online learning also enables recorded lessons for revision.

Linear
The city expanded cycle lanes. These lanes increased safety. Higher safety encouraged beginners.

Split rheme
Remote work affects productivity and wellbeing. Productivity improves for routine tasks. Wellbeing can fall without team contact.

Common cohesion mistakes

• Bare demonstratives: This is… with no noun
• Theme jumps: each sentence starts a new topic
• Over-referencing: too many pronouns for distant ideas
• Chain collapse: repeating one word every sentence without variation
• Cause claims without a bridge: write a short mechanism clause

Two minute cohesion audit

• Every this/it/they is unambiguous
• Theme choice is deliberate: constant for depth, linear for progress, split for lists
• One anchor term per 2 or 3 sentences plus varied synonyms
• Clear links: therefore, however, by contrast, as a result used sparingly
• Tense and number agreement checked
• Paragraphs read smoothly if you read only the first sentences

Use these mechanics in planning and editing. Anchor your references, choose a progression pattern, and maintain a light lexical chain. Your Task 2 paragraphs will feel connected, logical, and easy to follow.