English // Grammar & Punctuation

Cohesion within paragraphs

Use cohesive devices within a paragraph — including pronouns, adverbials (then, after that, firstly), and synonyms — to link sentences and build a coherent flow of ideas

Ages
9 to 11
Type
Method
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
3 topics
Standards
2 codes

Quick check

When the learner writes a paragraph, do the sentences flow together smoothly — using words like "however", "after this", or "in contrast" to link ideas, rather than every sentence starting with "And then"?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Replace repeated nouns with pronouns or synonyms to maintain cohesion without ambiguity, e.g. 'The explorer found a cave. She examined it carefully'
  • Use adverbials of sequence (firstly, then, next, finally) and cause (therefore, as a result, consequently) to connect ideas within a paragraph
  • Identify where cohesion breaks down in a paragraph and insert appropriate linking devices to improve the flow

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics
  • Organising Writing into ParagraphsRequired

    Writing Composition // Ages 7 to 10

    Cohesion within paragraphs requires paragraphing knowledge; learners must organise text into paragraphs before learning to build cohesion within them

  • Pronouns for clarityHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 7 to 9

    Pronoun cohesion is a key cohesive device; prior work on choosing pronouns for clarity feeds directly into paragraph-level cohesion

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Cohesion within paragraphs

Ages 9 to 11 // Method

Leads to

3 topics
  • Linking paragraphs with adverbialsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 9 to 11

    Linking across paragraphs builds on within-paragraph cohesion; learners must achieve cohesion within paragraphs before linking between them

  • Paragraph CohesionRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Extended cohesive devices builds on cohesion within paragraphs

  • Cohesion and Transitions Across WritingRequired

    Writing Composition // Ages 11 to 14

    Text-level cohesion extends KS2 cohesive devices within paragraphs

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
Eng.App2.Y5.Text.1Eng.UKS2.Write.Comp.2d

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