Welcome to the Guide on Paragraphing, Cohesion, and Discourse Markers!

When you are writing a piece of extended writing (between 600 and 900 words) for Paper 2, Section B, it is easy for your ideas to get a bit "jumbled." Think of paragraphing and cohesion as the architectural blueprint of your writing. Without them, your essay or story is just a pile of bricks; with them, it becomes a sturdy, beautiful building.

In this chapter, we will learn how to organize your thoughts so that your reader (and the examiner!) can follow your ideas from the very first sentence to the very last. If you want to learn about how to choose the right words for your sentences, check out the chapter on "Accuracy and expression at word and sentence level."

1. Paragraphing: The Building Blocks

A paragraph is more than just a break on the page; it is a signal to the reader that you are moving on to a new idea, a new time, or a new perspective.

Topic Sentences

The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a paragraph. It acts like a "headline" for what is to come. It should be clear and tell the reader exactly what the paragraph is about.

Example (Discursive Writing): "Furthermore, the environmental impact of fast fashion cannot be ignored." (The reader now knows this entire paragraph will focus on the environment.)

Internal Coherence

Internal coherence means that every sentence inside a paragraph sticks to the main point and flows logically into the next. Don't let your thoughts "wander" away from the topic sentence!

Quick Review: When to start a new paragraph?

Use the TiPToP mnemonic to remember when to hit the 'Enter' key:

  • Time: If you move forward or backward in time.
  • Place: If the setting of your description or story changes.
  • Topic: If you start talking about a different point or argument.
  • Person: If a new person starts speaking or the focus shifts to a new character.

Key Takeaway: Paragraphs help organize your writing into manageable "chunks" of information, making it much easier for the audience to digest your ideas.

2. Cohesion: The "Glue" of Writing

Cohesion refers to how well your sentences "stick" together. If a text is cohesive, the reader doesn't have to struggle to see how one sentence relates to the one before it.

Lexical Cohesion

This is when you use related words to keep a theme going. For example, if you are writing a descriptive piece about a forest, you might use a "word chain" like: canopy, emerald, ancient, rustling, and roots. These words create a unified feeling.

Pronoun Referencing

Instead of repeating the same noun over and over, we use pronouns to keep the flow smooth.
Instead of: "The explorer climbed the mountain. The explorer felt tired."
Use: "The explorer climbed the mountain. He felt exhausted by the effort."

Substitution and Ellipsis

Sometimes, we omit words because the meaning is already clear from the context. This prevents your writing from sounding repetitive and "clunky."

Did you know? The word "cohesion" comes from the Latin word cohaerere, which literally means "to stick together." Just like glue!

3. Discourse Markers: Your Textual Road Signs

Discourse markers are words or phrases that tell the reader the direction the writing is taking. They are essential for Paper 2 because they show the examiner that you are consciously structuring your work.

Depending on what type of writing you are doing in Section B, you will use different types of markers:

A. For Discursive and Argumentative Writing

These markers help you build a logical case:

  • To show contrast: However, conversely, on the other hand, nevertheless.
  • To add information: Moreover, furthermore, in addition, additionally.
  • To show cause and effect: Consequently, therefore, as a result, hence.

B. For Imaginative and Descriptive Writing

These markers help with the "flow" of a story or scene:

  • To show time: Meanwhile, subsequently, eventually, momentarily.
  • To show position: Beyond the horizon, nearby, adjacent to, overhead.

C. For Review and Critical Writing

These markers help you express a clear opinion:

  • To emphasize: Crucially, significantly, notably, above all.
  • To conclude: Ultimately, in essence, overall, to summarize.

Key Takeaway: Discourse markers act like road signs. Without them, your reader is driving in the dark without a map!

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't worry if this feels like a lot to juggle. Even experienced writers have to check their structure! Here are some common pitfalls for A Level students:

  • The "Giant Block" Paragraph: Avoid writing a single paragraph that lasts for a whole page. This is exhausting for the reader. Break it up!
  • Overusing "And" or "But": In extended writing (600-900 words), try to use more sophisticated markers like "In addition" or "However" instead of simple conjunctions.
  • The "Floating" Discourse Marker: Make sure your discourse marker actually fits the logic. Don't use "Therefore" unless the second sentence is actually a result of the first!
  • Inconsistent Tense: Especially in imaginative writing, ensure your paragraph stays in the same tense (usually past or present) unless there is a very specific reason to change.

5. Step-by-Step: How to Plan for Paper 2

When you sit down to write your 600–900 word piece, follow these steps to ensure great paragraphing and cohesion:

Step 1: Before you start, list 5 or 6 main points or "scenes" you want to cover. Each of these will be a paragraph.

Step 2: Write a topic sentence for each point. Check: do they follow a logical order?

Step 3: As you write, use connectives (like "furthermore" or "meanwhile") at the start of paragraphs to link them to the previous one.

Step 4: After finishing a paragraph, look back. Does every sentence in that paragraph talk about the same main idea? If not, move the "stray" sentence to a better home.

Quick Review Box:
- Paragraphs = One main idea per block.
- Topic Sentences = The "anchor" of the paragraph.
- Cohesion = Using pronouns and word chains to stick sentences together.
- Discourse Markers = "Road signs" (However, Moreover, Eventually) that guide the reader.