![]() ![]() The first type of content-lexical tie consists of directly repeating key words and using synonyms, antonyms, or both to restate ideas without repeating the same words. Below, the bold words are repetitions, and the bold-and-italic words are synonyms or antonyms. Notice how I used repetition, synonyms, and antonyms to connect ideas and create a smooth “flow” in the paragraph above? Let’s take a closer look. Antonyms create contrasts with earlier ideas or wording, connecting that previous content with the current passage in your writing. Using synonyms allows you to restate key ideas without using the same exact words. Too much repetition, however, will become mind-numbing. Repeating key words at strategic places in your writing will simultaneously emphasize and connect ideas, facilitating comprehension and maintaining interest. The first type of content-lexical tie consists of directly repeating key words and using synonyms, antonyms, or both to restate ideas without repeating the same words too much. Type 1: Direct Repetition, Synonyms, and Antonyms Related Words (Contextual Synonyms/Antonyms) There are four types of content-lexical ties (adapted from linguist Dilin Liu 1). To put it another way, writing that “flows” uses certain types of words to connect new ideas to earlier ideas. ![]() When you see “lexical,” think “words.” A tie binds things together.Ĭontent-lexical ties are words ( lexicon) that tie ( bind) different pieces of content ( ideas) together into a cohesive whole. A vocabulary is simply a storehouse of words. Lexical is the adjective form of lexicon, which is a fancy word for vocabulary. Content, of course, refers to the ideas or information we present. How do we express ideas so that they stick together or “flow”? We use content-lexical ties. Cohesion means unity or “sticking together.” When two things are cohesive, they stick together into one whole.Ĭohesion in language, either spoken or written, refers to the unity or “sticking together” of ideas due to how they are expressed. When we talk about “flow,” we are talking about cohesion. The more easily they comprehend it, the more easily they accept your ideas and the more highly they will rate your writing. The more your writing “flows,” the easier readers comprehend it. Learning about content-lexical ties will help you understand and accomplish the “flow” that takes writing up a notch or two. You may have been told that your writing doesn’t flow well, but were you taught what that meant? More importantly, were you told how to fix it? Or perhaps you have been told that your writing flows well. ![]() The following post was excerpted from How to Write an Essay Like an Equation: A Brief Guide to Writing like You’re Doing Math. Using Content-Lexical Ties To Connect Ideas in Writing ![]()
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