IELTS Coherence and Cohesion

Understanding Coherence and Cohesion

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, Coherence and Cohesion (C&C) evaluate how logically your ideas are organised and connected throughout your essay.

Coherence focuses on the logical flow of ideas, ensuring the information is clear and easy to understand.

Cohesion assesses how effectively you use linking words and grammatical structures to connect ideas smoothly.

Together, coherence and cohesion ensure that your writing is logical, well-organised, and easy for the examiner to follow — a crucial requirement for achieving a high band score.

What Examiners Look for in Coherence and Cohesion

To score highly in Coherence and Cohesion, your response must demonstrate:

Logical Organisation
Ideas should flow naturally and build logically from one to the next.

Effective Paragraphing
Each paragraph should focus on a single clear idea, supported by relevant details.

Variety in Linking Devices
Use a range of cohesive devices (e.g., “however,” “in contrast,” “as a result”) naturally and appropriately.

Natural Use of Linking Words
Linkers should not be overused or forced. Instead, they should fit smoothly within the sentence.

What to Avoid

• Poorly organised or mixed-up paragraphs.

• Repetition of ideas or linking words.

• Overuse of simple linkers such as “and,” “but,” and “also.”

• Lack of clear connections between sentences or paragraphs.

Structuring Your Essay for Coherence and Cohesion

A clear and logical structure is essential for maintaining strong coherence and cohesion. Follow these steps:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question clearly.
Introduce the type of data and its overall purpose.

Overview
Summarise the main trends or features.
Always start with “Overall, …”.

Body Paragraphs
Divide the information logically into two or more paragraphs.
Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph.
Group related trends and comparisons together.

Example Structure

Introduction
“The line graph illustrates the changes in car ownership in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan between 1990 and 2010.”

Overview
“Overall, car ownership increased steadily in all three countries, with the most significant growth observed in the United States.”

Body Paragraphs

• Paragraph 1: Discuss the trends in the United States and the United Kingdom.

• Paragraph 2: Highlight the slower growth in Japan and compare it to the other countries.

Strategies for Improving Coherence and Cohesion

Plan Your Structure
Spend a few minutes outlining your essay. Group similar trends together and decide which features belong in the same paragraph.

Use Cohesive Devices Appropriately
Vary your linkers to avoid repetition and clearly show relationships between ideas.

Examples of Cohesive Devices

Contrast: however, in contrast, whereas, while
Similarity: similarly, likewise, as well as
Cause and Effect: because, therefore, as a result

Maintain Paragraph Focus
Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or a closely linked set of trends.

Example: “The industrial sector consistently led energy consumption, while the residential sector declined steadily.”

Vary Sentence Structures
Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to make your writing smoother and more engaging.

Example: “While sales increased sharply in 2015, profits remained stable, indicating strong cost control.”

Good vs Bad Examples of Coherence and Cohesion

Bad Example

“The graph shows trends. The United States increased. The United Kingdom stayed the same. Japan had small changes.”

Why It’s Bad

• No logical organisation.

• No linking devices used.

• Sentences are fragmented and difficult to follow.

Good Example

“Overall, the graph shows that car ownership increased in all three countries, with the United States experiencing the largest growth. While the United States and the United Kingdom saw steady rises, Japan demonstrated only modest growth throughout the period.”

Why It’s Good

• Starts properly with “Overall” for the overview.

• Clear logical organisation of ideas.

• Linking devices used naturally and effectively.

• Comparisons between countries are made clearly.

Final Advice on Coherence and Cohesion for IELTS Writing Task 1

Always plan before you write. Make sure your essay has a clear introduction, an overview, and logically organised body paragraphs.

Use a variety of linking words naturally and avoid forcing connections. Remember that clarity and logical flow are more important than using complex vocabulary.

By maintaining strong organisation and carefully linking your ideas, you will significantly improve your Coherence and Cohesion score — and move closer to achieving a Band 9 in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.