Introduction to Connectors: Britton, Tregenza, and Watt

Relevance of the Topic

Connectors are vital links that join different parts of speech to form a cohesive and coherent text in English. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a text is only as effective in its communication as the strength of its connectors. Therefore, the study of connectors, also known as cohesion articles, is fundamental to enhance your written communication skills in English. This knowledge will also benefit you in text interpretation, as familiarizing yourself with the variety and appropriate use of connectors makes reading more fluid and understandable.

Contextualization

Within the vast ocean of the English language, connectors act as "wave catchers," directing and organizing the flow of discourse. They are crucial not only in sentence formation but also in combining sentences to create a cohesive text. The study of connectors aligns perfectly with the current English curriculum, as by the 9th grade, students already have a good grasp of grammar and are ready to delve into more complex and subtle aspects of sentence and text structure. With proper and varied use of connectors, students will be able to express ideas with more precision and eloquence, which is an essential skill for responding to requests in essays and text comprehension tests. The three authors of this study - Britton, Tregenza, and Watt - are experts in linguistics and education, whose works have been widely recognized and influential in the field. Studying their theories and reflections on the importance and use of connectors will help deepen the understanding and application of these language elements.

Theoretical Development: The Harmony of Connectors

Components

• The Function of Connectors: Connectors, also called cohesion elements, play an integrating role in the text, establishing logical relationships between different parts of speech. They help organize and structure the ideas and information presented, allowing the reader to follow the author's line of reasoning more clearly and fluidly.

• Types of Connectors: Connectors can be classified into three main types, each with a specific function: additive connectors (which add similar or supportive information), opposition connectors (which contrast ideas), and cause/effect connectors (which establish a cause and consequence relationship). Knowing and being able to use these types of connectors properly is fundamental for the construction of cohesive and coherent texts.

  • Additive Connectors: Include words like "and", "also", "as well as", "moreover", "furthermore". These connectors add information that is similar or supportive to the idea already expressed.

  • Opposition Connectors: Include terms like "but", "however", "yet", "nevertheless", "although", "despite". These connectors introduce an idea that contrasts or opposes the idea already presented.

  • Cause/Effect Connectors: Consist of expressions like "because", "since", "due to", "therefore", "as a result". These connectors establish a cause and effect relationship between the ideas.

• Examples and Cases: To understand the theory, it is essential to bring it into practice. The use of examples and cases is fundamental to illustrate the application of theoretical concepts. We will examine and elaborate on authentic texts, where the presence and appropriate use of different types of connectors can be observed and discussed.

Key Terms

• Textual Coherence: Textual coherence is the quality of a text that makes its parts understood and related to each other in a logical and coherent manner. Connectors play a crucial role in building this coherence, establishing relationships between different parts of the text and ensuring the author's reasoning flows smoothly.

• Textual Cohesion: Textual cohesion is the quality of a text that makes it a unit, expressing the idea that each part of the text is linked, directly or indirectly, to another part of the text. Connectors act as the invisible threads that join the different parts of the text, providing cohesion to the discourse.

• Authentic Text: An authentic text is a real textual production, not prepared for language teaching. Authentic texts include, for example, newspaper news, magazine articles, book excerpts, emails, among others. Analyzing authentic texts is a common practice in language teaching, as it allows students to come into contact with real language in different usage contexts.

Exercises

1. Identify and classify the connectors (additive, opposition, cause/effect) present in the following text excerpts:

   a. Although I remembered to take my keys, I locked myself out of the house.

   b. He was tired, but he continued to work.

   c. She sings beautifully and plays the guitar as well.

   d. Due to the heavy rain, the game was cancelled.

2. Rewrite the following sentences using connectors to make the text more cohesive:

   a. I went to the store. I bought some milk.

   b. She was hungry. She didn't eat anything.

   c. They studied hard. They passed the test.

3. Analyze an authentic text of your choice and highlight the connectors used. Discuss the effect of these connectors on the cohesion and coherence of the text.