Voice, register and cohesion | Year 6

💡Understand

COHESIVE DEVICES are words and phrases that link ideas together across sentences and paragraphs (e.g. 'however', 'in addition', 'as a result', 'meanwhile'). STANDARD ENGLISH follows conventional grammar rules (e.g. 'I did it' not 'I done it'), used in formal writing.

“The bridge was closed for repairs. As a result, traffic increased significantly on nearby roads. Meanwhile, engineers worked around the clock to reopen it as quickly as possible.”

"As a result" and "Meanwhile" are cohesive devices — they link the ideas across sentences logically (cause-and-effect, then a shift in focus), helping the paragraph flow as a connected whole rather than a list of disconnected facts.

🔍Spot it

What is this cohesive device showing?

Question 1

"The team trained hard all season. As a result, they won the championship."

💡 "As a result" shows the second event happened because of the first.

Question 2

"The forecast predicted sunshine. However, it rained all day."

💡 "However" signals a contrast between the expectation and what actually happened.

Question 3

Which sentence uses Standard English correctly?

💡 "Did" is the standard past tense form of 'do'; 'done' requires an auxiliary verb like 'have'.

🧠Think about it

Why does varying sentence structure (short, then long; simple, then complex) often create a stronger effect than using the same sentence pattern repeatedly?

✍️Try it

Identify the cohesive device's function.

The experiment failed twice. In addition, the equipment was damaged during testing.

Question 1

What does "In addition" show here?

💡 Think about what 'in addition' typically signals between two ideas.

📝Practise

Identify the cohesive device's function, or the correct voice/register choice.

Question 1

"The road was closed. Meanwhile, drivers found alternative routes." What does 'Meanwhile' show?

Question 2

"The window was broken by the storm." is written in which voice?

Question 3

Which sentence uses Standard English?

Question 4

In one phrase, what do we call words like 'however' and 'as a result' that link ideas across sentences?

💡 It's the key term introduced in this lesson.

Question 5

"Consequently, the match was postponed." What relationship does 'Consequently' show?

Question 6

Why might a writer vary short and long sentences deliberately?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

The factory had operated for a century. However, falling demand forced it to close last year. As a result, hundreds of workers lost their jobs. The building was eventually purchased by a local charity. It stood empty. Waiting. For a purpose no one had yet imagined.

Question 1

What relationship does 'As a result' show between the two ideas it connects?

💡 Trace the logical chain of events across the sentences.

Question 2

What effect do the final three short sentences ('It stood empty. Waiting. For a purpose...') create?

Question 3

Who eventually purchased the building?

💡 It's stated directly in the passage.

🏆Challenge

Write a short paragraph (four to five sentences) about a change in your local area, using at least two different cohesive devices AND varying your sentence length deliberately for effect.

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

"The cake was eaten by the whole family." uses which voice?

Question 2

Cohesive devices are used to...

Question 3

Varying sentence structure helps a writer to...

Want more practice mixing this with other grammar rules? Try Grammar practice →