Reference as a Grammatical Cohesive Device in EFL Students' Business Writing

Abstract

Cohesion is an essential aspect of effective business writing because it enables ideas to be connected logically and understood clearly. Among grammatical cohesive devices, the analysis showed that reference expressions contributed to textual cohesion by maintaining participant continuity, reducing unnecessary repetition, and directing readers’ attention to relevant information. However, studies examining the use and contribution of reference in EFL students’ business writing, particularly job application letters, remain limited. This study aimed to identify the types of reference used in EFL students’ job application letters and explain how these references contribute to textual cohesion. A descriptive qualitative design was employed to analyze six job application letters written by twelfth-grade EFL students at a vocational high school in Cirebon Regency. The data were collected through document analysis and analyzed using Halliday and Hasan (1976) framework of grammatical cohesion. The findings identified 141 reference expressions, consisting of 100 personal references, 32 demonstrative references, and 9 comparative references. Personal reference was the most frequently identified type, followed by demonstrative and comparative reference. The analysis also examined how reference expressions were used in the opening, body, and closing sections of the letters to maintain participant continuity, reduce unnecessary repetition, and direct readers’ attention to relevant information. The findings indicate that reference contributes to textual connectedness and information continuity in students’ business writing. The study provides insight into reference use in job application letters and its implications for teaching cohesion in EFL writing.