Meta Description:
IELTS students often confuse cohesion and coherence. This lesson shows you the difference — and gives you the tools to improve your Writing Task 2 clarity, structure, and paragraph flow.
Key Insight
Students often think “using linking words” means their writing is good.
But Band 7+ writing requires both:
- Cohesion — the glue between sentences
- Coherence — the logic and flow of your ideas
“Cohesion is the glue. Coherence is the map.”
Teaching Points
1. What Is Cohesion?
Cohesion = surface-level connection between sentences
This includes:
- Linking words: however, therefore, in addition
- Reference words: this issue, such a policy, it, they
- Substitution: using synonyms to avoid repetition
Example (cohesive, but not coherent):
“Firstly, some people like sports. Secondly, sports are fun. Finally, many people play them.”
This uses linkers, but the logic is weak — there’s no clear argument. It’s connected, but not convincing.
2. What Is Coherence?
Coherence = deeper flow and structure
This is about:
- Clear argument structure
- Paragraph unity (one idea per paragraph)
- Logical order (claim → reason → example → conclusion)
Example (coherent):
“Team sports help young people develop social skills. This is because they require cooperation, communication, and trust. For example, playing football teaches players to coordinate strategies and support each other on the field. As a result, students who play sports often show higher confidence and teamwork abilities.”
The paragraph has an idea that builds logically — even without traditional linking words like “Firstly.”
Common Trap: “Firstly, Secondly…” Syndrome
Using “Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly…” with no structure is a Band 5–6 mistake.
Band 5:
“Firstly, there is pollution. Secondly, many people drive cars. Thirdly, the government must fix this.”
Band 7+:
“One major cause of urban pollution is private vehicle use. In many cities, car emissions make up the largest share of air pollution. As a result, city governments must consider restricting traffic during peak hours.”
Tool 1: Argument Chains
Use this pattern in your body paragraphs:
Claim → Reason → Evidence → Implication
Example:
- Claim: “Fast food leads to poor health.”
- Reason: “It contains high levels of sugar and fat.”
- Evidence: “Studies show that regular fast-food consumption increases obesity rates.”
- Implication: “Therefore, governments should regulate advertising targeting young people.”
Tool 2: Flow Anchors
These phrases connect logic, not just sentences:
- “This shows that…”
- “As a result…”
- “Therefore…”
- “In this way…”
- “This means that…”
- “For this reason…”
Mini Practice:
Use “This shows that…” to extend this sentence:
“People who study abroad often adapt faster to new environments.”
→ “This shows that…”
Student Response Example:
“This shows that international education can improve adaptability and cultural awareness.”
Exercise 1: Fix the Coherence (Jumbled Paragraph)
Task: Reorder the sentences below into a logical paragraph using the argument chain (Claim → Reason → Example → Implication).
Sentences (jumbled):
A. “This shows that part-time jobs may actually improve academic outcomes.”
B. “Many university students take part-time jobs during their studies.”
C. “For instance, a survey in the UK found that students with 10–15 hour workweeks had higher GPAs than those without jobs.”
D. “One reason is that work teaches time management and responsibility.”
Correct Order:
- B
- D
- C
- A
Exercise 2: Label the Cohesive Devices
Model Paragraph:
“Some people argue that online education is less effective than face-to-face learning. However, many studies show no difference in learning outcomes. In fact, some students prefer digital courses because of the flexibility. This trend is likely to continue as technology improves.”
Task: Identify the cohesive devices.
- “However” → contrast linking word
- “In fact” → emphasis connector
- “because” → cause-effect linker
- “This trend” → reference phrase
Coherence & Cohesion Checklist
| Band 7+ Feature | Present? |
|---|---|
| Clear main idea per paragraph | ☐ |
| Logical order of ideas | ☐ |
| Linking devices used naturally | ☐ |
| Reference words used instead of repetition | ☐ |
| Flow anchors guide the reader | ☐ |
Final Thought
You don’t need to write more.
You need to write clearer.
IELTS coherence is not about decoration — it’s about direction.
Show the examiner where your argument is going, and you’ll earn the score you deserve.
Next Step: Download Our Coherence Mastery Worksheet
Get a free printable version of this lesson with:
- 3 jumbled paragraph practice tasks
- Cohesion labeling quiz
- Paragraph structure cheat sheet
Download Now → TotallyFreeIELTS.com/free-lessons
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