Welcome to Cohesion: The "Glue" of Your Essay
In IELTS Writing Task 2, your essay is marked on four main areas. One of the most important is Coherence and Cohesion (C&C), which makes up 25% of your total score. This chapter focuses on Cohesion—the way you join your ideas together so the examiner can follow your argument without getting lost.
Many students think that "good cohesion" means using as many linking words as possible (like Furthermore, Moreover, or In addition). However, examiners actually lose marks for candidates who over-use these words. If every sentence starts with a linking word, it feels "mechanical" and unnatural. In these notes, you will learn how to make your writing flow naturally, just like a native speaker.
The Marking Criteria: What Examiners Look For
To get a Band 7 or higher in Coherence and Cohesion, the official criteria say: "Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, although there may be some over-use or under-use." To reach Band 8 or 9, your cohesion should be so smooth that it is "attractively managed" and "hardly attracts notice."
What earns marks:
- Ideas that follow a logical path.
- Using a variety of ways to link sentences (not just Firstly/Secondly).
- Using referencing (words like this, it, or those) to avoid repeating yourself.
What loses marks:
- Over-using words like In addition or Moreover at the start of every sentence.
- Using a linking word that doesn't fit the meaning (e.g., using However when you are actually adding information).
- Repeating the same nouns over and over again instead of using pronouns.
The Three Pillars of Cohesion
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! You don't need to learn hundreds of words. You just need to master these three simple tools:
1. Transition Words (The Visible Glue)
These are the traditional "linking words." They tell the reader the direction of your thought. Use them sparingly—perhaps once or twice per paragraph at the start of a sentence.
For Contrast: However, On the other hand, Nevertheless
For Results: Consequently, Therefore, As a result
For Examples: For instance, For example, To illustrate this
For Addition: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition
2. Referencing (The Invisible Glue)
This is the secret to a high score. Instead of repeating a whole idea, you use a "pointer" word to look back at what you just said. This keeps the reader moving forward.
Example:
Weak: Many people prefer to work from home. Working from home allows people to save money on travel.
Improved: Many people prefer to work from home. This trend allows them to save money on travel.
In the improved version, "this trend" and "them" are cohesive devices. They link the second sentence to the first without being repetitive.
3. Substitution and Lexical Chains
This means using synonyms or related words to keep the topic going. Imagine your essay is a chain; each link should look a little different but be made of the same metal.
Example Topic: Environmental Pollution
Instead of saying "pollution" in every sentence, you can use: this issue, ecological damage, contamination, this environmental challenge.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Weak vs. Strong Cohesion
Let’s look at a sample paragraph about whether high-school students should do community service.
The "Mechanical" Version (Common at Band 5.5 - 6.0)
Firstly, community service helps students learn new skills. For example, they can learn how to talk to elderly people. Secondly, it makes them more responsible. Moreover, they can put this on their CV. In addition, it helps the community. Therefore, I think it is a good idea.
Why this is weak: Every sentence starts with a "mechanical" linker. It feels like a list, not a flowing argument. It is repetitive and "clunky."
The "Band 7+" Version (Natural and Smooth)
One major benefit of community service is the development of social skills. By interacting with various age groups, such as the elderly, students become more empathetic. This maturity often translates into increased responsibility in their personal lives. Furthermore, these experiences provide a significant advantage when building a professional CV, as they demonstrate a commitment to society that goes beyond academic grades.
Why this is strong:
- "One major benefit" introduces the idea without saying "Firstly."
- "This maturity" links back to the previous sentence perfectly.
- "Their" is used to refer back to the students.
- "As" is used to join two ideas inside one sentence, making it more complex.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. The "Moreover" Trap: Many students start every second sentence with Moreover or Furthermore. In a 250-word essay, you should probably only use Moreover once. If you need to add another point, try starting the sentence with "Another point to consider is..." or "Beyond this..."
2. Starting every sentence with a linker: Try to move the linker into the middle of the sentence.
Instead of: However, some people disagree.
Try: Some people, however, disagree.
This small change makes you sound much more like a Band 8 candidate!
3. Using "And" or "But" at the start of a sentence: While this is common in casual English, it is often seen as too informal for the IELTS General Training essay. Use Additionally or However instead.
Quick Review: Cohesion Checklist
Before you finish your practice essay, ask yourself these questions:
- Did I start every sentence with a linking word? (If yes, delete some!)
- Did I use words like "this," "these," or "that" to point back to my previous ideas?
- Did I use synonyms to avoid repeating the same keywords four or five times?
- Does each paragraph have one clear central topic that all the sentences link to?
Key Takeaway
Cohesion is not about how many "fancy" words you know; it is about how easily the examiner can read your essay. Use linking words like salt in a meal—a little bit makes it better, but too much ruins the taste. Focus on referencing (this/it/them) and logical flow to reach the highest bands.
Did you know? The word "cohesion" comes from the Latin word "cohaerere," which means "to stick together." Think of your essay as a piece of furniture—the linking words are the nails, but the logic is the wood. You need both to make it stand up!