TOPICS

Keywords

• Connectors
• Textual cohesion
• Conjunctions
• Linking words
• Discourse markers
• Coordinating
• Subordinating

Key Questions

• How do connectors influence textual cohesion and coherence?
• What are the main types of connectors and their functions?
• In which specific situations is each connector most appropriate?

Crucial Topics

• Identification and correct use of connectors.
• Differences between coordinating and subordinating connectors.
• Practical examples of sentences using different connectors.

Specifics - Vocabulary

Coordinating Connectors:

• and
• but
• or
• so
• yet

Subordinating Connectors:

• although
• because
• unless
• if
• while

Other Important Connectors:

• however
• therefore
• moreover
• subsequently
• meanwhile

Exemplification:

• for example
• such as
• for instance

Time Connectors:

• before
• after
• during
• until
• when

NOTES

Key Terms

• Connectors: Words or phrases that link parts of the text (sentences, clauses, paragraphs) and help establish a logical relationship between ideas.
• Textual cohesion: The property that allows a text to be interpreted as a set of connected ideas, facilitating the reader's understanding.
• Conjunctions: Words that function as connectors by joining clauses or words of the same grammatical function.

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Connectors are essential for building clear and cohesive arguments.
• There are different types of connectors that express addition, contrast, cause, condition, sequence, etc.
• Choosing the appropriate connector depends on the logical relationship one wants to establish.

Topics Content

• Coordinating Connectors: link words or clauses of equal value, without one depending on the other to make sense.
  • Example: "I wanted to play, but it was raining."
• Subordinating Connectors: introduce a subordinate clause and indicate a dependent relationship with the main clause.
  • Example: "She can't go out unless she finishes her homework."
• Time, Cause, Condition, Addition, Sequence Connectors: indicate specific relationships that order the text and instruct the reader on how to interpret the sequence of ideas.
  • Examples: "We will start eating when you arrive." (time), "He studied hard because he wanted to pass the exam." (cause)

Examples and Cases

• Contrast with 'but' and 'however':
  • Simple: "He is rich, but he is not happy."
  • Complex: "He is rich; however, his wealth does not bring him happiness."
• Addition with 'and', 'moreover', 'in addition':
  • Example: "She can sing and dance. Moreover, she plays the piano."
• Condition with 'if' and 'unless':
  • Example: "If it rains, we will stay home."
• Consequence with 'so' and 'therefore':
  • Example: "He was not well, so he missed the meeting."
• Time with 'before', 'after', 'when':
  • Example: "She had left the room before I arrived."

Each example is followed by an explanation of the connector's effect on the sentence, reinforcing the logical relationship it establishes and how they contribute to textual cohesion.

SUMMARY

Summary of the most relevant points

• Connectors are fundamental tools for creating fluent and logical texts in English.
• They help establish relationships of addition, contrast, cause and effect, condition, among others, within the text.
• Coordinating connectors unite elements of equal grammatical importance, such as two independent clauses, without creating a dependent relationship.
• Subordinating connectors create a dependent relationship between clauses, supporting the main one.
• It is important to use the correct connector to clearly express the desired relationship between ideas.

Conclusions

• Connectors should not be used randomly; each one has its specific purpose and should be chosen based on the logical relationship one wants to demonstrate.
• The correct use of connectors significantly contributes to textual cohesion and coherence, making ideas more understandable.
• Practicing identifying and using connectors correctly in various texts is essential to improve reading and writing skills in English.
• Understanding the different types of connectors (coordinating, subordinating, temporal, etc.) and their uses is a key skill in textual comprehension and production.
• Contextualized examples serve as a practical guide to understand how connectors work in real communication situations.