IELTS Writing Task 2: Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence means how well the ideas are linked through logical sequencing. Cohesion is about using cohesive devices variously and appropriately to make conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear. Coherence and cohesion IELTS are one of the four IELTS writing band descriptors. It contributes 25% to the overall IELTS writing score.

You can make the essay cohesive by building clear and logical paragraphs, where all the sentences are tied together. Use transition devices to make your essay coherent. Provide the reader with the main thought and be consistent with it by using transition devices. Transition acts as a bridge between your sentences and paragraphs.

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What is Coherence?

Coherence simply means the structure of the paragraph or an essay. It must be organized logically to be coherent. And, it has to be easy to follow and understand. Make use of the following structure to make your essay coherent.

Introduction - Structure

• Make a general statement about the topic.
• Make a specific statement about the topic.
• Write a thesis statement ( what an essay is assert or reject)

Paragraph - Structure

• Introduce the main idea
• Explain the main idea
• Illustrate the main idea with examples
• Conclude it 

Conclusion - Structure

• Restate the thesis.
• Summarize the argument of an essay.
• Give an opinion/suggestion or solution.

What is Cohesion ?

Cohesion is about how the ideas flow in the essay. When developing paragraphs, all of the ideas must be related to each other and logically linked with the usage of referencing and linking words. 

Pronouns can be used as reference words. You can use the words such as this, these, it, to connect the idea of a sentence to an idea of the previous sentence. 

Linking words such as however, on the other hand, can be used to connect the ideas. But, don’t overuse it, it will reduce the band score. Make sure to not include more than two of these kinds in your paragraph to attain a band 7 score.

4 Techniques to Write a Band 9 Score Essay

The following techniques help you to write an essay in a coherent and cohesive manner. Use the given four techniques in your IELTS writing preparation to develop the band 9 writing skills.

1. Use the Linking Words

Use linking words such as firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc. to make the examiner to easily follow the progression of ideas. Linking words can be used to list out the reasons or effects, etc. in an orderly manner with a clear picture.

Example: Laptops have become an important tool for day-to-day life. Firstly, students can use these laptops to easily access their study materials, videos, pictures, and documents. It can also be used to take online exams and gather notes efficiently. Secondly, scientists use these laptops to collect, store, analyze, classify and extract their research data. It also helps them to share their data internally and internationally. Thirdly, in banking sectors, employees are able to quickly store and use the data with these laptops rather than using physical registers. It becomes a primary tool for them to work.

2. Make use of the Repetition

Repetition will be useful to emphasize the key points in the essay. Use the synonyms of the major word related to the central idea of an essay. It will make the essay more comprehensive and coherent. 

Example: Laptops have become an important tool for day-to-day life. Firstly, students can use these laptops to easily access their study materials, videos, pictures, and documents. It becomes inevitable to take online exams and gather notes efficiently. Secondly, scientists use these laptops to collect, store, analyze, classify and extract their research data. It also helps them to share their data internally and internationally. Thirdly, in banking sectors, employees are able to quickly store and use the data with these laptops rather than using physical registers. It becomes a primary tool for them to work.

3. Add Demonstratives

Demonstratives can be used in supporting sentences when a reader knows what the paragraph is already about. This, those, that, these are some of the examples for demonstratives. Remember not to use the demonstrative in the topic sentence. 

Example: Laptops become an important tool for day-to-day life. Firstly, students can use these laptops to easily access their study materials, videos, pictures, and documents. It becomes inevitable to take online exams and gather notes efficiently. Secondly, scientists use these laptops to collect, store, analyze, classify and extract their research data. It also helps them to share their data internally and internationally. Thirdly, in banking sectors, employees are able to quickly store and use the data with these laptops rather than using physical registers. It becomes a primary tool for them to work.

4. Plan the essay

Before writing an essay, form a structure of an essay in your mind. Generate ideas based on the topic and organise your ideas into paragraphs with a logical order. This practice helps you to write an essay effectively.

Examples of IELTS Coherence and Cohesion

We have given two sample essays to illustrate how coherence and cohesion are used in the essay. Use these as a reference to figure out the ways to make your essay coherent and cohesive.

Sample Essay - Coherence

The following essay deals with who should take decisions for the people, the government or the people. It contains four paragraphs and each one flows logically and emphasises the point clearly. We highlight the features of coherence in the essay which can help you to understand the impact of coherence. 

Question/Topic: Should Governments Make Decisions About People’s Lifestyles, Or Should People Make Their Own Decisions?

Some people believe that the government should make decisions for the people. In my opinion, people should make decisions for themselves and authorities should not interfere with the people's lifestyle.

Firstly, if people make their own decisions, they can live up to their standards and values. It also gives them autonomy in their life. This freedom and autonomy are important for happiness. Different people have different choices, goals, and values. Some people want to earn money and live a luxurious life. Some others want to devote themselves to spiritual life. So, it is difficult for the government to create a standard set of decisions for all the people. And, if the government does that, then the people will not be happier and eventually, it becomes a totalitarian state. 

Secondly, the state will prosper if the people decide on their goals to pursue. Each individual has a different set of capabilities and abilities. This mixture of capabilities makes them create unique goals. Thus, it would give a new dimension to the state. The state will be developed in many different ways. The task of the government would be to nourish and support individuals to reach their fullest potential. Then. It will be a win-win game. 

In conclusion, as I argued, I believe that people should make their own decisions to be happier and betterment of the state. Government should not interfere with the people’s decisions, instead, it must show the way to actualize their decisions.

Sample Essay - Cohesion

Introduction	Some people believe that the government should make decisions for the people. In my opinion, people should make decisions for themselves and authorities should not interfere with people's lifestyles.
1st Argument	Firstly, if people make their own decisions, then they can live up to their standards and values. It also gives them autonomy in their life. This freedom and autonomy are important for happiness. Different people have different choices, goals, and values. Some people want to earn money and live a luxurious life. Some others want to devote themselves to spiritual life. So, it is difficult for the government to create a standard set of decisions for all the people. And, if the government does that, then the people will not be happier and eventually it becomes a totalitarian state.
2nd Argument	Secondly, the state will prosper if the people decide on their goals to pursue. Each individual has a different set of capabilities and abilities. This mixture of capabilities makes them create unique goals. Thus, it would give a new dimension to the state. The state will be developed in many different ways. The task of the government would be to nourish and support individuals to reach their fullest potential. Then, It will be a win-win game.
Conclusion	In conclusion, as I argued, I believe that people should make their own decisions to be happier and betterment of the state. Government should not interfere with the people’s decisions, instead, it must show the way to actualize their decisions.

In the example, all the words highlighted in red are some of the cohesive devices used in the essay. 

• In my opinion
• Then 
• This 
• Some people
• Some others
• So
• And
• Eventually
• Thus
• Instead

Conclusion

To sum up, coherence is the framework of an essay and cohesion is the minor links that connect the ideas logically. This helps you to organize the ideas in a definite way that can improve your band score. Use the “IELTS Coherence and Cohesion” techniques and samples to develop your writing ability.

FAQ

1. How can I improve my cohesion in IELTS writing?

Some of the tips to improve your cohesion in IELTS writing are,

• Give a precise explanation of the topic.
• Give an emphasis on important ideas.
• Don’t write a long sentence and make it complicated. 
• Don’t repeat the words and phrases unnecessarily.

2. What does cohesion mean in IELTS?

Cohesion means the logical flow of ideas. It emphasizes how the ideas are connected to each other and follow from one to the next with seamless transitions. You can use linking and referencing words to connect the ideas logically.

3. What are coherence and cohesion words for IELTS speaking?

There are several words that can be used for different purposes. When you are speaking and you want to add ideas, you can use the words such as also, as well as. When you want to compare things or ideas, you can use the words such as similarly, as, in the same way. To give examples, you can use for example, for instance, to illustrate.