Y05W40GR Editing for cohesion
Editing for cohesion (3-pass)
Good writing feels smooth because each sentence links clearly to the next. A simple 3-pass edit helps you check links, clear reference and accurate connectives so your paragraph is easier to follow.
- how to check if sentences link in a clear order
- how to make pronouns point to the right noun
- how to choose connectives that match the meaning
- Cohesion means the ideas in your writing stick together clearly.
- Connectives link ideas, such as then, because, however and finally.
- Pronouns replace nouns, but the reader must know who or what they mean.
- Reference is clear when a pronoun points back to the right antecedent.
- Editing passes help you check one thing at a time instead of fixing everything at once.
How it works
1Pass one: check the links
Start by reading for flow. Each sentence should connect to the one before it.
- Order helps the paragraph make sense, for example, events often go from first to next to last.
- Thread words keep the same topic moving through the paragraph, such as canteen, lunch and food.
- Breaks happen when a sentence jumps to a new idea too suddenly.
2Pass two: check clear reference
Next, look at pronouns like he, she, they and it. The reader should know exactly what each one means.
- Pronoun use works best when the noun comes first, for example, Mia packed the sports gear. She carried it inside.
- Confusion happens if more than one noun could match the pronoun.
- Fix unclear reference by repeating the noun when needed.
3Pass three: check the connective
A connective should match the relationship between ideas. It tells the reader how one idea joins to another.
- Addition connectives add more information, for example, also and another.
- Cause connectives show why something happens, for example, because and so.
- Contrast connectives show a change or difference, for example, but and however.
4Use one annotated paragraph
A short paragraph is easier to edit when you notice one feature at a time. This keeps the checking simple and accurate.
- First pass asks, “Do these sentences stay on one topic?”
- Second pass asks, “Does each pronoun have a clear antecedent?”
- Third pass asks, “Does the connective match the meaning?”
See it in action
Fixing a cohesion break
Our class grows herbs in pots. We water them each morning. My brother likes video games.
Our class grows herbs in pots. We water them each morning. This care helps the plants stay healthy.
The new sentence stays on the same topic and keeps the paragraph flowing.
Fixing unclear reference
Ava gave Ella the folder because she needed it for art.
Ava gave Ella the folder because Ella needed it for art.
The noun is repeated, so the reader knows who she means.
Fixing the connective
The team trained hard. However, they felt ready for the game.
The team trained hard. As a result, they felt ready for the game.
The new connective matches cause and effect.
Fixing all three passes
Our canteen added fruit cups. They are popular. But students can buy them at lunch.
Our canteen added fruit cups. They are popular with students. Students can also buy them at lunch.
The topic stays clear, the pronoun makes sense and the connective fits.
- Pass one checks whether the ideas link in a clear order.
- Pass two checks whether each pronoun has a clear antecedent.
- Pass three checks whether the connective matches the meaning.
- Cohesion makes a paragraph smooth, clear and easy to read.
- connective(noun) a linking word that shows how ideas join, such as addition, cause or contrast
- pronoun(noun) a word that stands in for a noun, such as they or it
- antecedent(noun) the noun a pronoun points back to, which keeps reference clear
- cohesion(noun) the way sentences connect so a paragraph feels like one whole piece
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