Introduction
Coherence and cohesion are essential for achieving a high score in IELTS Writing Task 2. While task response and grammar are key components, coherence and cohesion ensure that your essay flows logically and that your ideas are well connected. Many candidates struggle with these aspects, leading to essays that are disorganized or difficult to follow.
In this blog post, we will explore how to improve coherence and cohesion in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. By mastering these skills, you’ll be able to organize your thoughts effectively, link your ideas smoothly, and ultimately improve your writing score.
1. What is Coherence and Cohesion?
Before we dive into tips, let’s clarify what coherence and cohesion mean in the context of IELTS writing:
- Coherence refers to how logically your ideas are presented and how clearly your essay communicates the main message. A coherent essay flows smoothly, with each point building upon the previous one.
- Cohesion refers to the connections between ideas within and between paragraphs. This is achieved through the use of linking words, cohesive devices, and consistent referencing.
Both coherence and cohesion are essential for organizing your thoughts in a way that the reader can easily follow.
2. Use Clear and Logical Paragraph Structure
Mistake: Writing Unorganized Paragraphs
One of the most common mistakes that leads to poor coherence is writing unorganized or loosely connected paragraphs. Without a clear structure, your ideas can appear scattered or disconnected.
What You Need to Do:
- Follow a clear structure: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea or argument. A typical IELTS Writing Task 2 paragraph follows this structure:
- Topic Sentence: Introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
- Explanation: Further clarifies the topic sentence.
- Example: Provides supporting evidence or examples.
- Linking Sentence: Connects the paragraph to the next one.
Tip from WritingChex: Before writing, plan the main idea of each paragraph. This will help you stay on track and avoid including irrelevant information.
3. Use Transition Words and Phrases
Mistake: Not Using Enough Linking Words
Without proper use of transition words and phrases, your essay may sound choppy, and the ideas might seem disjointed. Transition words guide the reader through your essay and create smooth links between your thoughts.
What You Need to Do:
- Use linking words: Incorporate a variety of cohesive devices to connect your ideas. Examples of useful transition words include:
- To add information: furthermore, moreover, in addition
- To show contrast: however, on the other hand, whereas
- To introduce examples: for example, for instance, such as
- To conclude or summarize: in conclusion, to sum up, therefore
Tip from WritingChex: Avoid overusing the same transition words. Variety is key to demonstrating your lexical resource and keeping the reader engaged.
4. Ensure Each Idea Flows Naturally to the Next
Mistake: Jumping Between Ideas Without Clear Transitions
A common error in IELTS essays is introducing new ideas without linking them to the previous point. This results in a disjointed essay that’s hard to follow.
What You Need to Do:
- Use sentence-level cohesion: Ensure that each sentence flows logically to the next by using appropriate transitions. For instance, you can start a new sentence by referring back to the previous point, using phrases like “this suggests that” or “as a result.”
- Refer to previous points: Occasionally, refer back to the main points discussed earlier in the essay to show how they relate to the next point. For example, “Building on the previous idea, another possible solution is…”
Tip from WritingChex: Read your essay back to make sure each idea naturally leads into the next. If it feels disconnected, add more transitional phrases or restructure your sentences.
5. Use Paragraphs to Organize Your Ideas
Mistake: Writing Too Long Paragraphs
When your paragraphs are too long, they can become overwhelming for the reader. It can also make it harder to organize your ideas and link them clearly.
What You Need to Do:
- Limit paragraph length: Try to keep your paragraphs between 100 and 150 words. Each paragraph should focus on one specific point and include a topic sentence, explanation, and example.
- Divide complex points into multiple paragraphs: If you have a complex argument, consider breaking it into two smaller, more manageable paragraphs. This will make your essay more readable and coherent.
Tip from WritingChex: Keep each paragraph focused on a single argument. If a paragraph feels overloaded, divide it into two smaller paragraphs.
6. Ensure Consistent Use of Tenses and Pronouns
Mistake: Inconsistent Tense or Pronoun Use
Inconsistent use of tenses or pronouns can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of your essay. For example, switching from past to present tense in the same paragraph without a clear reason can make your writing appear disjointed.
What You Need to Do:
- Be consistent with your tenses: Stick to one tense (usually present or past) unless there’s a clear reason to change. For example, if you’re discussing a current issue, use the present tense.
- Use pronouns to refer to previous ideas: Pronouns like “it,” “they,” and “this” can help maintain cohesion by referring back to nouns mentioned earlier in the essay.
Tip from WritingChex: Before submitting your essay, check for tense consistency and ensure that your pronouns clearly refer to specific nouns.
7. Link Ideas Across Paragraphs
Mistake: Focusing Only on Internal Cohesion Within Paragraphs
It’s not enough to just link sentences within a paragraph; you must also ensure that there are clear links between paragraphs.
What You Need to Do:
- Use linking sentences at the end of each paragraph: At the end of each paragraph, summarize the point you made and link it to the next one. For example, “This shows the importance of… and in the next paragraph, we will examine how this issue can be addressed.”
- Refer back to the introduction: In the body paragraphs, periodically refer back to the points mentioned in the introduction to keep your essay focused and cohesive.
Tip from WritingChex: Create a clear roadmap for your essay by ensuring each paragraph flows logically into the next. This is particularly important in the body section of your essay.
8. Read Your Essay Aloud
Mistake: Not Reviewing for Coherence and Cohesion
One of the best ways to check for coherence and cohesion is to read your essay aloud. When you hear it, you’re more likely to notice where ideas feel disconnected or where transitions are weak.
What You Need to Do:
- Read your essay out loud: As you read, pay attention to the flow of ideas and how smoothly one sentence or paragraph leads into the next.
- Make revisions as needed: If something doesn’t sound right, rephrase it or add linking words to make it clearer.
Tip from WritingChex: Reading aloud helps you spot any awkward phrasing or weak transitions that may affect the overall coherence of your essay.
Example of a Well-Structured, Cohesive IELTS Essay
Question:
Some people believe that the best way to reduce traffic congestion is to build more roads, while others think that improving public transportation is a better solution. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Introduction:
In urban areas, traffic congestion is a growing issue, with different solutions being proposed. Some argue that the best way to address this problem is by expanding the road network, while others believe that improving public transportation would be a more effective approach. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering a personal opinion.
Body Paragraph 1:
On one hand, building more roads could alleviate traffic congestion in the short term by providing more space for vehicles. With growing populations and increasing numbers of cars, many cities struggle to keep up with demand. Expanding the road network can reduce bottlenecks, speed up travel times, and make commuting more efficient. For instance, cities like Los Angeles have introduced new highways to reduce congestion during rush hours.
Body Paragraph 2:
On the other hand, improving public transportation offers a more sustainable and long-term solution. Public transport systems like buses, trains, and subways can carry a larger number of passengers, reducing the need for private cars. In cities like London and Tokyo, where public transport is widely used, traffic congestion is much less of a problem. Moreover, better public transportation can reduce air pollution and environmental impact, making it a more eco-friendly choice.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while building more roads can provide short-term relief, improving public transportation is the most effective long-term solution for reducing traffic congestion. A combination of both approaches, however, may be the ideal strategy in addressing urban transport challenges.
Conclusion
Mastering coherence and cohesion is crucial for writing clear, well-structured essays in IELTS Writing Task 2. By following the tips outlined in this post—using clear paragraph structures, linking ideas with transition words, and ensuring consistency in your writing—you can significantly improve the flow and organization of your essays.
For personalized feedback on your IELTS essays, WritingChex is here to help. Our expert reviewers will guide you in perfecting your coherence and cohesion to help you reach
