Investigating the Difficulties Encountered by University Students in Using Cohesive Devices in Writing

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the problems encountered by University students in using cohesive device. To achieve this purpose, the research has adopted descriptive analytical method by using a test, the population of the research consisted of 40 students drawn from the college of Languages and Translation, fourth year undergraduate students at Alrebat University the researcher has analyzed the data by using the statistical program (SPSS). The data analysis showed that there is a weakness in the students’ performance when they use cohesive device in writing, the students are unfamiliar with the types of cohesive devises for instance substitution and ellipsis, and also misuse of cohesive device affect the coherence of a written text, at the end of the research the researcher presented some recommendations: teachers and syllabus designers should contribute in developing curriculum .Teachers should place more emphasis on teaching cohesive device drilling more activities in their hand out sheet, teachers should provide an extra cohesive device task that help students to avoid misuse of cohesive device.