Language and strategies for successful writing

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Language and strategies for successful writing

Cohesive devices  Reference  Synonyms  Derivational  Appositions

word forms

What are cohesive devices good for?  Emphasizing  Binding

key points

ideas (meaning)

 Connecting

 Avoiding

sentences (structure)

repetition

What’s wrong with repetition?  Repetition

makes a text monotonous and boring. When there is too much repetition, the reading doesn’t flow. It’s like reading the same thing over and over again.

Repetition of ideas

Oceans provide food for billions of humans around the Earth. That is to say, oceans provide healthy seafood everyday which can feed hundreds of millions of people.

Nonetheless, these are not the only methods used to lessen our carbon footprint. By the implementation of these and many other eco-activities we can reduce our negative impact on the planet.

Repetition of words

These activities awaken people on a social, environmental situation bringing attention to the topic in people who have been ignoring it, so as to reinforce people’s belief in the organization and its work. For example, they drive people to change how they deal with recyclable materials or participate with local organizations in community cleanup efforts.

Solution: synonyms?

These activities awaken individuals on a social, environmental situation bringing attention to the topic in citizens who have been ignoring it, so as to reinforce residents’ belief in the organization and

its work. For example, they drive persons to change how they deal with recyclable materials or participate with local organizations in community cleanup efforts.

awaken people + bringing attention to the topic in people who have been ignoring it = raise awareness people’s belief = faith drive people to change how they deal with recyclable materials or participate = encourage recycling and participation in…

These activities raise awareness on a social or environmental situation so as to reinforce the faith in the organization and its work. For example, they encourage recycling and participation in cleanup efforts.

They can also make a huge difference, making supporters move from having a general interest in the issue to actually stepping up and doing something on behalf of the issue or cause.

Issue: an important topic or problem for debate or discussion Cause: a principle, aim, or movement to which one is committed and which one is prepared to defend or advocate.

They can also make a huge difference, making supporters move from having a general interest to actually stepping up and doing something on behalf of the cause.

Most non-profit organizations such as WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Oceana among many others, are taking an important role in today’s world. They play an important role since they help to sensitize and to inform society about the issues that are related to conservancy. They help to monitor and help the environment by taking actions to prevent and repair the damage caused to it. Most non-profit organizations, such as WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and Oceana, are taking an important role since they help to sensitize and inform society about the issues that are related to conservancy. They help to monitor the environment by taking actions to prevent and repair the damage caused to it. OR They monitor and help the environment by taking actions to prevent and repair the damage caused to it. OR simply They take actions to prevent and repair the damage caused to the environment.

Reference In order for referencing to be an effective cohesive device, there must be concord in number   

Singular noun (one) > singular reference (he/she/it) Plural noun (2 or more) > plural reference (them/those/these) Phrase/clause/sentence/paragraph (idea) > clausal reference (this / that)

 …humans obtain from biodiversity its basic needs, such as food, shelter, fuel, and medicine o …humans obtain from biodiversity their basic needs, such as food, shelter, fuel and medicine.

 …this type of activity focuses on the protection of these ecosystems, limiting human-caused damage to them and at the same time restoring it. o …this type of activity focuses on the protection of these ecosystems, limiting human-caused damage and at the same time restoring them.

Reference makes clear connections 

Their work encompasses advocating for laws against unregulated fishing to rebuild populations of forage fish. {These are the species (which are preyed upon by larger predators)}. o

Their work encompasses advocating for laws against unregulated fishing to rebuild populations of forage fish (i.e. species preyed upon by larger predators).

 TNC promotes the protection of pollinators. Bees, butterflies and some species of birds that pollinate are endangered species. Since pollination allows for plants to reproduce and seeds to propagate, that poses a major threat to all life on Earth.

What is the referent of “that”? o TNC promotes the protection of pollinators, like bees, butterflies and some kinds of birds which are endangered species. Since pollination allows for plants to reproduce and seeds to propagate, their potential extinction poses a major threat to all life on Earth.

Sometimes, repetition is better than reference, as it emphasizes a key point/word 

To begin with, reforestation is beneficial for the global climate and living beings. It refers to the replanting of trees in an area which was destroyed or damaged, usually through deforestation, which contributes to the disappearance of species, like Pinta’s giant tortoise, the black rhino or the eastern cougar. Its application results advantageous to the planet. o

To begin with, reforestation is beneficial for the global climate and living beings. Reforestation refers to the replanting of trees in an area which was destroyed or damaged. Deforestation contributes to the disappearance of animal species, like Pinta’s giant tortoise, the black rhino or the eastern cougar. The application of reforestation programmes is advantageous to the planet.

Synonymy a

poor or exaggerated use of synonymy may render sentences that sound artificial, even wrong.

 Citizens must become aware of the need to recycle, reduce and reuse.  They are also encouraging more and more worldwide citizens to consume less…  NPOs are also concerned with educating citizens about their impact on the environment.  By means of such activities, TNC facilitates access and engagement to build citizens’ awareness and consciousness, in the way that energy users get to know more about the negative effects on the planet, and learn how to revert them.

Citizen: a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized, or an inhabitant of a particular town or city. In other words, “citizen” is a legal term that has to do with rights and obligations as a member of a certain jurisdiction.

o It is necessary to raise awareness on the need to recycle, reduce and reuse. o They are also encouraging a reduction in the consumption of goods… o NPOs are also concerned with educating younger generations about their impact on the planet. o By means of such activities, TNC facilitates access and engagement to raise awareness so that energy users may learn more about the negative effects of using fossil fuels on the planet, and how to revert them.

The same goes for the noun “inhabitants” (a person or animal that lives in or occupies a place):  Inhabitants should control their basic needs so as not to overconsume resources. o Everyone should control their basic needs so as not to overconsume resources.

And for “individuals” (a single human being as distinct from a group; a single member of a class):  Non-profit organizations spread awareness in reducing plastic waste and creating campaigns for individuals who want to participate in the cleanup of oceans.

(a campaign directed to “individuals” would be a waste of money) o Non-profit organizations spread awareness on reducing plastic waste and creating campaigns for those who want to participate in the cleanup of oceans.

 Lots of species of both flora and fauna are preserved, green technology is promoted and lots of people are being educated on environmental issues. As more and more individuals become conscious of their own impact on the planet, the Earth is becoming healthier. o Lots of species of both flora and fauna are preserved, green technology is promoted and education on environmental issues is encouraged. As more and more people become conscious of their own impact on the planet, the Earth is becoming healthier.  Finally, non-profit organizations use awareness campaigns all over the world to improve their supporter base, educate individuals and boost public awareness about different environmental causes. o Finally, non-profit organizations use awareness campaigns all over the world to improve their supporter base, educate communities and boost public awareness about different environmental causes.

Other devices to avoid repetition and add cohesion to a text  Derivation

 Apposition

Fortunately, some of you have already accurately used some instances of both

Derivation Among all the actions in which Greenpeace works, restoring forests, protecting oceans and standing against plastic pollution are the proposals that are having the greatest impact on the environment. (thesis statement)

Forest restoration is one of the main actions that Greenpeace proposes. (topic sentence)

Apposition 

Non-profit organizations, such as World Wildlife Foundation, an international non-governmental organization created in 1961, are trying to have a positive impact on the planet.



“Oceana”, an organization dedicated to protect the ocean, campaigned for a regulation in the US West Coast in order to protect the natural habitats of corals, sponges and rocky reefs.

Start your engines and get ready to write!