Developing cohesion
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Using this to point backwards | page 5 of 6 |
Using this with a summarising noun
As an alternative to using the single word this to refer back to what has been
written previously in a text, certain nouns are commonly used in this way 
. Through the use of different words, authors are able to show
their feelings about words they are referring back to. Sometimes they have no strong
feelings (or none that they wish to express) and so they use a neutral word:
Do birds have feelings and emotions? Do they enjoy singing and fighting and mating? Science is still silent on this point. But I am inclined to believe just from watching them that in some sense they do. (Bank of English)
Shops unsold because of the property slump were rebranded with the Directory name, and used to shift surplus stock using an Argos-style catalogue selling technique. This idea has been so successful that it may be further developed in the future. (Bank of English)
At other times authors want to give an evaluation (normally negative) of the words which they are making reference to:
The ANC has accused the police of complacency in dealing with the right wing, charging that the police force itself houses members of right-wing paramilitary groups. General Stadler dismissed this claim as, in his words, "absolute nonsense". (Bank of English)
A number of stereotypes still prevail in British culture. One is that blacks have special physical and physiological attributes which make them natural sportsmen and women. But the other side of this notion is that they're not normally very well-endowed in the way of brain-power. (Bank of English)
For some teaching implications about using this with a summarising noun, see 
page 6 of this file.
For further information about evaluative nouns, see Representing
actions with nouns: Reasons for representing actions with nouns.
Using this with a summarising noun
