Bridging Theory and Practice: Cohesion and Coherence in Sudanese MA Students’ Academic Writing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59675/S315Keywords:
Academic Writing, Cohesion and Coherence, Sudanese MA Students, Discourse Markers, EFL Writing ProficiencyAbstract
Academic writing plays a vital role in achieving academic success at the postgraduate level, requiring students to express ideas clearly, maintain coherence, and follow the conventions of their academic discipline. This research examines how effectively Sudanese MA students use cohesive devices and discourse markers, drawing on data from an online diagnostic assessment conducted at Sudan University of Science and Technology. Among the 69 participants (41 males and 28 females), findings reveal that while students generally understand cohesion on a theoretical level, many encounter difficulties when applying it in extended written texts. These difficulties often undermine the clarity and flow of their academic writing. To bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, the study suggests implementing genre-based writing pedagogy, regular formative feedback, and peer review activities to support students in using cohesion more effectively and accurately.
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