Connectives: Conjunction and Preposition | Active Summary

Objectives

1. Identify and differentiate the main conjunctions and prepositions as connectives in texts.

2. Understand how the choice and use of these connectives influence the clarity and textual cohesion.

3. Apply the acquired knowledge to improve writing and text interpretation, both in academic and professional life.

Contextualization

Did you know that the right choice of connectives can completely transform the meaning of a sentence or an entire text? For example, replacing 'but' with 'and' can soften an opposition, changing the tone of what is being said. This small detail illustrates the power of connectives in effective communication. Mastering conjunctions and prepositions is not only important for studies but is essential for expressing oneself clearly in any situation, whether writing an academic paper or a text for an advertising campaign!

Important Topics

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that serve to link words or sentences, establishing logical relationships between them. They can indicate addition, opposition, condition, cause, among other relationships. For example, in 'Pedro studied hard, but did not pass.', the conjunction 'but' expresses opposition between the two parts of the sentence.

• Classes of Conjunctions: Conjunctions can be classified as coordinating, subordinating, and correlative, each playing a specific role in connecting ideas.

• Proper Use: Knowledge about when to use each type of conjunction is crucial to ensure the clarity and coherence of the text, avoiding ambiguities and misunderstandings.

• Impact on Expression: The choice of the right conjunction can significantly alter the expression of an idea, showing the importance of precise and conscious use.

Prepositions

Prepositions are words that establish a relationship of dependency between one term and another. They are essential for structuring sentences and texts, indicating, for example, place, time, cause, manner, among others. In 'Maria went to school by bicycle.', the preposition 'by' establishes the relationship between 'school' and 'bicycle.'

• Function of Prepositions: They are crucial for textual cohesion, helping to connect ideas and delimit the meaning of other words in the text.

• Variety of Use: The variety of prepositions allows for a richness of expression, being fundamental for clarity and precision in communication.

• Challenges of Use: Some non-native speakers may encounter difficulties in choosing the correct preposition due to the diversity of uses and meanings.

Textual Coherence

Textual coherence is directly related to the ability to connect the parts of a text logically and understandably. Conjunctions and prepositions play a crucial role in maintaining coherence, ensuring that ideas are well articulated and that the text makes sense as a whole.

• Importance of Coherence: Incoherent texts can lead to misinterpretations or loss of interest from the reader.

• Coherence and Cohesion: Coherence is linked to textual cohesion, which is achieved through linguistic resources, such as connectives, that ensure the fluency and clarity of the text.

• Training Coherence: Practicing writing with a focus on coherence can be a challenge, but it is essential for anyone wishing to improve their writing skills.

Key Terms

• Conjunction: An unchanging word that links two clauses or similar terms in a clause, establishing a relationship of dependency or simple coordination between them.

• Preposition: An unchanging word that establishes a relationship between two terms of the clause, subordinating the second to the first, indicating, among other relationships, place, time, manner, cause, purpose, or possession.

• Textual Coherence: The property of a text that guarantees the logic of the relationships between the parts, allowing the reader to understand the presented ideas clearly and sequentially.

To Reflect

• How can the choice of an inappropriate conjunction alter the meaning of a sentence, even while keeping the same words?

• Why is it important for a writer to master the use of prepositions in diverse contexts, such as literature, science, and advertising?

• In what ways can knowledge about connectives influence how you read and interpret texts in your daily life?

Important Conclusions

• We conclude that conjunctions and prepositions are fundamental to textual cohesion and coherence, allowing us to connect ideas clearly and logically.

• We explored how the appropriate choice of these connectives can alter the meaning of a sentence or an entire text, demonstrating the impact they have on effective communication.

• We discussed the importance of mastering these elements not only for academic success but also for everyday and professional situations, where clarity in communication is essential.

To Exercise Knowledge

Write a short diary for a week, using different types of conjunctions and prepositions to describe your daily activities. After the week, review your diary and reflect on how the choice of connectives affected the clarity and fluency of your text.

Challenge

Create a short mystery story using only prepositions and conjunctions as words to build your narrative. Try to engage your readers in the plot, demonstrating how the creative choice of connectives can capture attention and create tension.

Study Tips

• Practice identifying connectives in texts you read daily, such as news articles or even on social media. This will help you recognize usage patterns and the functionality of these words.

• Use mind maps to visualize the relationship between the ideas in your texts, marking the prepositions and conjunctions used. This can help identify flaws in logic or the clarity of your text.

• Create flashcards with different conjunctions and prepositions on one side and examples of usage on the other. Review them regularly to strengthen your knowledge and familiarity with these connectives.