How coherence and cohesion in IELTS writing can pave the way to success
This video looks at coherence and cohesion, which together make up one of the four writing criteria students will be tested on in their writing tests. The others are grammatical range and accuracy, lexical resource and task achievement/response.
Coherence vs cohesion
Coherence and cohesion are closely linked, but they also matter independently.
Coherence refers to the ‘flow’ of a candidate’s writing. For good flow, ideas should be logically organised and appropriately sequenced into paragraphs, so they are easy to follow and understand.
Cohesion refers to linking words that help the writer connect ideas and show the relationship between paragraphs, sentences or parts of sentences.
Coherence in IELTS writing
In this video, you’ll find an example of how you might sequence ideas for effective coherence using the following structure:
Paraphrase the question and include your opinion
Arguments for
Arguments against
Paraphrase your opinion.
Importance of paragraphs
Paragraphs are important for giving structure to a piece of writing. They also act as signposts for the reader, indicating when the topic or focus is likely to change. Typically, those taking the test should stick to one idea or set of ideas per paragraph.
A good way to start a paragraph is with a short sentence that introduces the main idea – also known as a ‘topic sentence.’ The remainder of the paragraph can then be used to expand on that idea, e.g. with explanations, evidence or personal experience.
Download our coherence and cohesion guide so you can get to grips with all the key pointers.
- Writing: coherence and cohesion (PDF, 0.40mb) Download file
Cohesion in IELTS writing
Students taking the test should use a wide range of linking words or phrases to connect different paragraphs and sentences.
Some of the most common cohesive devices are listed below (and there are plenty more examples in our coherence and cohesion download):
- adding similar ideas – e.g. ‘in addition…’
- contrasting ideas – e.g. ‘on the other hand…’
- giving examples or evidence – e.g. ‘for instance…’
- explaining results – e.g. ‘for this reason…’
- sequencing - e.g. ‘firstly…’
- providing explanations – e.g. ‘owing to…’
- drawing conclusions - e.g. ‘in conclusion…'
- introducing your opinion – e.g. ‘it seems to me that …’
To bring this learning to life, you should circle all of the linking devices you have used within a practice essay in order to highlight any repetition or the overuse of certain words or phrases. This is important, as excessive use of linking techniques can be jarring and could reduce your score.
