Teach What Makes a Cohesive Paragraph

Have you ever read a student writing sample, only to discover that the ideas seem clunky and disconnected? The most likely cause is that the student has not used cohesive devices to connect their thoughts. This is why it is important to help students understand what makes a cohesive paragraph and how to go about constructing one!

This engaging digital quiz makes the concept of cohesive writing both accessible and fun for students. The resource requires students to read a series of short, relatable paragraphs covering a variety of topics. They must then decide which cohesive device is being used in that paragraph to connect the ideas together.

For example:

My sister enjoys reading books. In contrast, I prefer realistic fiction. Similarly, we both love going to the library.

Does this paragraph feature:

• Illustrating Words
• Comparative Words
• Cause and Effect Words

The correct answer, of course, is option b!

If the students make the right choice, they will be able to proceed to the next paragraph. If they make an incorrect choice, they will be offered the opportunity to go back and try again.

This resource downloads as a Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation and features 24 separate paragraphs for students to read and analyze. Simply project it onto your screen, and you have a ready-made activity for teaching cohesion in a paragraph!

More Ways to Explore Cohesion in a Paragraph

This digital quiz on cohesion in a paragraph can be used in a variety of ways to suit your teaching goals and classroom context. While it works beautifully as a whole-class revision activity via your interactive whiteboard, you might like to consider these alternate ideas:

• Team Trivia Quiz – Turn this activity into a collaborative game with just a dash of friendly competition! Divide your class into small groups, then have them write down the correct option for each slide. Review each group’s answers and award points accordingly. You could even add bonus points for getting the teams to explain why a particular device was used.
• Paragraph Writing Activity – Choose a slide, then have students work in small groups, pairs or independently to add more information to the chosen paragraph. Students should be sure to include the featured cohesive device in their paragraph. Once they have finished, have the students share and identify the cohesive devices in each other’s work.
• Digital Fast Finisher Station – Set up the quiz on a device, then place it at a fast finisher station. The task can then become a self-directed activity for early finishers to reinforce their learning. After completing the quiz, challenge students to create a poster or digital anchor chart explaining each of the cohesive devices they encountered.

Download to Teach Cohesion in Paragraphs

Use the Download button to access the Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides version of this resource. Please be aware that you will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file and save it to your personal drive before accessing it.

Be sure to work with this presentation in Slideshow mode so that the hyperlinked slides can operate as intended.

This resource was created by Lauren Borst, a teacher in Indiana and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Cohesive Writing Resources From Teach Starter

Teach Starter has more great resources to save you time when teaching cohesive devices to your class. Click below for some more curriculum-aligned, teacher-created activities!

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