Investigating the Problems that Face EFL Students in Using Cohesion and Coherence in Essay Writing

Abstract

This research aimed at investigating the problems facing EFL students in using cohesion and coherence in essay writing. The methodology used is descriptive analytic method. The subject in this study is 25 students. They are selected randomly from third year at Omdurman Islamic University, Faculty of Arts Department of English Language and Literature. The tool used for data collection is a test. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) then, the analysis of the data showed that there were problems in using some grammatical cohesive device one of them students rarely use cohesive device like ellipsis in their writing that due to their ignorance of grammatical cohesion. Finally, the study recommends that Students should be taught clearly about the cohesive ties, namely, grammatical and lexical cohesive devices. This will help to get better understanding and multiple choices to connect their written production and teachers should provide their students with detailed feedback about the errors committed and they should provide them with solutions to avoid making them again.