English 8

English – Grade 8
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Using Appropriate Cohesive Devices in Composing
an Informative Speech
First Edition, 2020

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 English 8
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 2
Using Appropriate Cohesive Devices in Composing
an Informative Speech
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the English 8 Self-Learning Module on Using Appropriate

Cohesive Devices in Composing an Informative Speech.

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed, and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and

independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims
to help learners acquire the needed 21st-century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely:
Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them
to manage their learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the Learner:

Welcome to the English 8 Self-Learning Module on Using Appropriate

Cohesive Devices in Composing an Informative Speech.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an
active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the

lesson at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from

the entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional learner module in English 8. All the

activities provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand: Using
Appropriate Cohesive Devices in Composing an Informative Speech.

PRETEST

Directions: Identify the cohesive device used in each of the sentences. Write
the answer on the space provided.

_____________1. Smoking is expensive; in addition, it is dangerous to our

health.

_____________2. Do not carry a large amount of money; however, always

carry a small purse with necessities.

_____________3. He got into a car accident because he was a reckless driver.

_____________4. We must always log out after using our social media
accounts for security purposes.

_____________ 5. Be observant and always look around.

 RECAP

We have learned in the previous lesson that using parallel structure is

using the same grammatical form to express ideas of equal importance. As a
result, it makes our writing easier to understand. Another important topic
that you have learned is the characteristic of a well-written paragraph called
coherence. You have learned that coherence is the orderly arrangement of
ideas. This orderly arrangement of ideas can only be achieved when all of
the sentences in a paragraph flow smoothly together.

LESSON

In composing a paragraph, the sentences, ideas, and details should fit

clearly, so the readers can follow easily, and writing is coherent.

Today, let us talk about using appropriate cohesive devices to signal

addition, contrast, sequence, and consequence. Let us start defining
what cohesive devices are.

Cohesive devices are words or phrases that are used to signal to the reader
what the relationships are between the different clauses, sentences, and
paragraphs. There are different uses of cohesive devices. Let us familiarize
ourselves with these uses.

The first one is,

a. if we want to signal addition, we can use cohesive devices such as
and, also, too, as well as, in addition, moreover, and furthermore.
For example:
Wearing of masks nowadays is a must; in addition, proper social distancing
has to be observed.

In this sentence, we have given extra information by using the

connector ‘in addition’. We can also use other cohesive devices such as
additionally, also, and furthermore.

Another example is,

Smoking is dangerous to our health; moreover, it is expensive.

Again, the idea of being expensive is just added to the first

information, which is dangerous.

The second use is,

b. if we want to signal contrast, we can use cohesive devices such as
but, yet, however, although, even though, despite, in spite of, on the
contrary, on the other hand, and in contrast.

For example:
Some citizens are afraid of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they don’t
seem to follow the safety measures.

In this sentence, we used ‘however’ to show contrast. The second part

of the sentence emphasizes the issue of not following safety measures.

Another example is,

The doctor advised him to give up smoking; on the contrary, he didn’t seem
to worry about his health.

Again, this sentence shows contrast since the person didn’t seem to
worry even if the doctor advised him to stop smoking. Now, let’s talk about
the other uses of cohesive devices.
The third use of cohesive devices is,
c. if we want to signal relation in time, we can use the following
cohesive devices such as first, second, next, then, after, soon, later,
now, and finally.

For example:
Proper washing of hands is very important after using the bathroom.

This sentence can tell the sequence of two events because of the
connector ‘after’.

Another example is,

There are many ways to fight the virus. First, we should take Vitamin C to
boost our immune system.

As you can see, the sentence tells what a person should do first to
fight the virus.

The fourth use is,

d. if we want to signal consequence/result, we can use words such as
so, therefore, as a result, consequently, because, and thus.

For example,
The number of COVID19 positive cases increases because many people
refuse to stay at home.

This sentence can tell us the result of not staying at home by using
the connector ‘because’.

Another example is,

The virus cannot be seen by our naked eye; therefore, we have to take
precautionary measures.
 In this sentence, certain precautionary measures should be taken into
action as a result of the invisible virus.

Guided Practice
Let’s try a few items as practice exercises. Identify the cohesive device used
in each sentence. Then, state the use of the cohesive device. Let’s begin with
this sentence:

Sentence 1: Good personal hygiene keeps us healthy; also, it helps us build

self-confidence.

The answer is ‘also’. It is used to add information that aside from

keeping us healthy, good personal hygiene helps us build self-confidence.
Let us answer the next sentence.
Sentence 2: Although shopping online is convenient, online scamming seems
to be a problem.

CREDIT CARD
 The answer is ‘although’. You can see in the sentence how something
positive and negative is said about buying online using the connector
although.

Sentence 3: Though we are experiencing this pandemic, we stay strong and

positive.

The connector ‘though’ is used to contrast the two ideas in the

sentence, which are ‘experiencing the pandemic’ and ‘staying strong and
positive’.

Let’s practice what we have learned together. Once again, identify the
cohesive device used in each sentence. Then, state the use of the cohesive
device. Let’s begin.

Sentence 1: For a moment we experience difficulties, and then we become

blessed.

Excellent! The connector ‘then’ is used to tell what happens next after we
experience difficulties.

Sentence 2: The payment was received after it was due; therefore, a late fee
shall be charged.
Great! The connector ‘therefore’ is used to tell the result of not paying on
time.

Sentence 3: This pandemic is highly alarming so most of us became extra

careful.

You’re right! The cohesive device ‘so’ is used to tell the effect of the highly
alarming pandemic.

ACTIVITIES

I. Identify the cohesive device used in each of the sentences. Write

the answer on the space provided.

___________1. Our government has implemented community

quarantine. However, most Filipinos are violating it.
___________2. Taking a walk every morning boosts your health;
also, it makes you feel stronger.
___________3. We should make it a habit to wash our hands before
we eat to help prevent the germs from getting into
our bodies.
 ___________4. Disobeying the road signs is extremely dangerous;
on the contrary, following them may keep one safe
from any road accidents.
___________5. The people in Zambales follow the advice of their
municipalities. As a result, there is a zero-positive
case in the province.

II. Compose a 3 to 5-sentence paragraph about the different ways to

take good care of one’s health using examples of cohesive devices
such as, in addition, however, finally, as a result, and as well as.

Below is an example of an informative article, which will help you,

compose your own.

The Truth about Caffeine

Caffeine helps you wake up, feel more alert and it has been shown to
increase attention spans. This is a beneficial effect for people who are driving
long distances and for people who are doing heavy work. However, caffeine can
also cause you headaches if taken in larger amounts. As you can see, caffeine
can have both positive and negative effects on our health and well-being.
Nevertheless, the bottom line is that if you drink your sodas and coffee in
moderation, then you don’t have to worry too much. So, the next time you are
wondering whether or not you should have another cup of coffee to perk you up,
relax! At least, you now know what it will and won’t do for you!

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
 RUBRIC FOR THE CORRECT USE OF COHESIVE DEVICES
IN A PARAGRAPH
3 2 1
The content The content is sufficiently The content is limited
demonstrates the developed with adequate with inadequate
Content
strong development elaboration or elaboration or
of ideas. explanation of ideas. explanation of ideas.
Writes 5 sentences Writes 3-4 sentences with Writes 2-3 sentences
Focus and with strong sufficient evidence of the with minimal evidence
Length evidence of the topic. of a topic.
topic.
There is an evident There is sufficient control There is limited control
control of grammar, of grammar, spelling, of grammar, spelling,
Mechanics
spelling, usage, and usage, and sentence usage, and sentence
sentence formation. formation. formation.
Uses 3-5 cohesive Uses 2 cohesive devices Uses 1 cohesive device
Cohesive devices correctly correctly with some correctly with limited
Devices with strong evidence of transitions. evidence of transition.
Used evidence of
transitions.

TOTAL
_____/12

WRAP-UP

To wrap everything up that we have talked about in this lesson, let us

always remember that:

Cohesive devices are words or phrases that are used to signal to the
reader what the relationships are between the different clauses, sentences,
and paragraphs. Some of these cohesive devices are used if you want to add
information, contrast or oppose ideas, state what the outcome or result is or
to signal relation in time.
 Also, remember that the purpose of using cohesive devices is to link
sentences and ideas to make your writing easy to understand, so you must
use them correctly and effectively. Here is the table of the cohesive devices
that will surely help you compose better sentences.

COHESIVE DEVICES AND THEIR USES

CAUSE and
ADDITION CONTRAST SEQUENCE
EFFECT

and however because first/firstly

also whereas so second/secondly
as well as instead of therefore third/thirdly
moreover nevertheless thus finally
too alternatively consequently next
furthermore otherwise as a result before
in addition unlike due to this after
additionally on the contrary on then
plus the other hand subsequently
along with yet

VALUING

To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise, we shall not be

able to keep our mind strong and clear. - Buddha
 POSTTEST

Directions: Choose the most appropriate cohesive device to complete each

sentence in the paragraph. Write the letter of the answer on the blank
provided for every item.

COVID-19 is a threat to human beings. (1) __________, (a. However b.

At first c. Likewise) it created fear in the hearts of many people. (2)
__________, (a. Furthermore b. Therefore c. But) after knowing the
precautionary measures, they started to stop the virus from spreading by
practicing good personal hygiene. Medical experts are also doing everything
to discover the vaccine for this virus. (3) __________, (a. On the contrary b.
Because c. Meanwhile) the citizens are advised to remain at home and to
stay healthy. Doing exercises, (4) __________, (a. whereas b. furthermore c.
as well as) eating fruits and vegetables may prevent us from getting the
virus. The occurrence of this pandemic has brought serious effects in the
lives of many. The world doesn’t seem to be as safe as it used to be. (5)
__________, (a. Nevertheless b. Because c. As a result) it is still a wonderful
place.
 KEY TO CORRECTION

5. a 5. As a result 5. And
4. c 4. On the contrary 4. After
3. c 3. Before 3. Because
2. c 2. Also 2. However
1. b 1. However 1. In addition
Posttest Activity 1 Pretest

References

Best Speech Topic. Sample Informative Speech. Accessed on June 1, 2020.

https://www.best-speechtopics.com/sample-informative-
speech.html?fbclid=IwAR0NENWMn_ugMIGcNEYqu1QpRUvHOYYrS6KMNK5atOeiu
loNhJROqYnVPs

Navarro, Michaela. Eloquence 8. Manila: St. Augustine Publications Inc. 2015

Pell, Christopher. IELTS Cohesive Devices – IELTS Advantage. Accessed on June 1,

2020.
https://www.ieltsadvantage.com/2015/08/12/cohesive-devices/