Argumentative Writing in Secondary Education: Enhancing Coherence and Cohesion in EFL contexts.

Abstract

[eng] In English as a Foreign Language, students face many difficulties in regard to writing proficiency, with a particular focus on argumentative writing. Despite the emphasis which is put on the curriculum, students struggle to create a coherent and cohesive text with the risk of underusing or overusing connectives, especially those related to additive, contrastive and causal markers. This work aims at analysing the difficulties in argumentative compositions and presenting a proposal through which students can develop the adequate skills to write coherently and cohesively. The didactic proposal presented in this dissertation revolves around cohesion, coherence and connectors and it aims at enhancing secondary students’ writing proficiency in the Spanish secondary education context. Furthermore, it will foster students’ critical thinking in order for them to develop arguments based on their expectations and beliefs. A sequence of activities will be put forward in order to facilitate students’ development and knowledge, to reach academic success and achieve one of the main aims of the English language in EFL contexts, effective communication through a clear and structured writing. Enclosed in the proposal, the creation and selection of materials will engage students to foster a nuanced comprehension and articulation of coherent arguments, providing efficient learning outcomes and effective communication skills