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When you write a text, you must make sure that it is easy to understand. In general terms, there are strategies you can utilize in order to do so. Here, I do not intend to be specific to talk about cohesion, coherence, or subpoints. However, I will show you, in a simple manner, how to make your texts better.
First, you must know what you are going to write about. That is why you must think about that before you start writing. Analyze the image below:
Source: https://www.learn-study-work.org/english/write/write-a-text/
If you have to write a text, you must know the subject you are going to write about and, based on that, you decide the text type (e.g. an expository or argumentative essay), the content, and style.
But once you are writing the text, you must know how to use words to establish the right type of relationship between clauses and sentences. Now, let's analyze the following example:
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Experts have acknowledged that chatbots like ChatGPT could be a detriment to education in the future — but in recent interviews with NBC News, some said they weren't ready to sound the alarm just yet.
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In this case, that word is "but", which is a coordinating conjunction. Notice the way in which it establishes the relationship of contrast between the independent clauses. It means that despite what is said in the first clause – that experts know that ChatGPT could harm education –, what is said in the second one is true – they are not ready to warn the public yet – and is related to the first.
Now, try to do this exercise extracted and adapted from Complete Advanced, a book published by Cambridge English.
Complete the essay by writing a phrase from the list below in each of the gaps.
as a result
however
in conclusion
to some extent
what is more
in contrast to ourselves
in general
on the contrary
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Technological progress
Many people worry that we no longer have time for the important things in life, such as relationships and thinking about ourselves and our place in the universe. This may be true (1), but I think that in broad terms this argument is flawed.
In my great-grandparents' time, technology was slower than it is at present. Most people travelled to work on foot or by public transport and may perhaps have had more time to think about things when they were travelling. They did not have the distractions of television, the internet or all the other technological marvels which compete for our attention today. (2), they probably spent more time together in conversation.
(3), I doubt if their relationships or the quality of their lives were really better. (4), they had to work much longer hours, both in their jobs and in routine household tasks, because labor-saving technological devices did not exist. (5), they did not have the financial resources or the technology to enjoy their leisure time like we do now. While they were perhaps not so stressed, (6), they could not learn, travel and relate to people from all over the world with the ease that we do.
(7), I do not agree that we have less time for the important things in life. (8), I believe we have far greater opportunities to take advantage of the enormous variety of good things life has to offer.
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The first answer is "to some extent" because the relationship established is of limitation.
The second answer is "As a result" because the relationship established is of consequence.
The third answer is "However" because the relationship established is of contrast.
The fourth answer is "In contrast to ourselves" because, again, the relationship established is of contrast.
The fifth answer is "What is more" because the relationship established is of addition.
The sixth answer is "in general" because the relationship established is of generalization.
The seventh answer is "In conclusion" because the relationship established is of conclusion.
The eighth answer is "On the contrary" because, one more time, the relationship established is of contrast.
To sum up, know exactly what you are going to write and, so as to convey what you wish effectively, be aware of the different kinds of relationships clauses and sentences can have.
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