Writing Cohesive and Coherent Essays for IELTS Writing Task 2 – Coherence implies 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.
In this blog, Dolphin Head Hunters will explain and provide you with techniques for Writing Cohesive and Coherent Essays for IELTS Writing Task 2.
What is Coherence?
Coherence simply implies 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 understandable. 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 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 words such as this, these, and 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. Ensure not to include more than two of these kinds in your paragraph to attain a band 7 score.
4 Techniques for IELTS Writing Task 2: Coherence and Cohesion
The following techniques help you to write an essay coherently and cohesively. 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 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 can 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 can 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 can 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 the 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.
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.
FAQs on Writing Cohesive and Coherent Essays for IELTS Writing Task 2
1. How can I improve my cohesion in IELTS writing?
A: Some of the tips to improve your cohesion in IELTS writing are-
- Give a precise explanation of the topic.
- Emphasize 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?
A: Cohesion means the logical flow of ideas. It emphasizes how the ideas are connected 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?
A: Several words 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 words such as similarly, as, in the same way. To give examples, you can use for example, for instance, to illustrate.
