Coherence & Cohesion in IELTS Writing Test

Zilpah D'Souza Published:
June 20, 2024

0shares

One of the most important factors that help secure success in the IELTS exam is understanding the test’s scoring structure and using that information to boost your band score. You may identify the specific requirements of the examiners by being aware of the test's scoring structure. By concentrating on achieving the expectations, you can improve your IELTS Writing test result. In the General Training test of the IELTS Writing test, coherence and cohesiveness account for 25% of the final score. However, candidates often fail to comprehend the significance of this factor, thereby losing marks.

Role of Coherence & Cohesion in IELTS Writing Test

Coherence

Coherence refers to the way your writing flows. It has to do with how effectively your essay is structured and specified, as well as how well your thoughts are arranged logically. Your main goal while writing an essay is to convey your thoughts clearly so that the reader can grasp them quickly.

Coherence is therefore essential to your IELTS essay writing task. Here are some tips to improve coherence in your IELTS essay.

Separate your essay into paragraphs,
Connect paragraphs with linking phrases, and
Follow a logical sequence of paragraphs.

Cohesion

Cohesion is the ability to connect thoughts through connecting words. It also pertains to the organization of sentences into consistent paragraphs and the organization of paragraphs into essays. Here are some tips to show your cohesive skills in your essay.

To improve clarity, concentrate on only one idea per paragraph,
Compose intricate sentences with proper punctuation, and
Use syntax to connect your thoughts rather than overusing linking terms.

To ensure that your essay is coherent, avoid combining more than one idea in a single paragraph. Rather, you should concentrate on just one idea, and explain it in detail, and it is usually a good idea to back up your points with an appropriate example. The distinction between "complex sentences" and "complicated sentences" is subtle.

Remember to convey your ideas in a simple manner, avoiding too-intricate or hard-to-read language. Furthermore, you may frame complicated phrases more effectively by using suitable punctuation.

Important pointers to help ensure coherence and cohesion

Each paragraph should begin with a statement that is both clear and concise.
Concentrate on only one primary idea in every paragraph.
Create a clear explanation, supporting details, anecdotes, or experiences for your primary point.

Make use of a range of connecting words and phrases.
Ensure the cohesive devices utilized are acceptable.
Use synonyms and pronouns to cut down on repetition.
Finish your paragraph with a summary statement that either ends it or connects it to the next paragraph.

Our clients receive FREE training from British Council-certified trainers. Check out our Settlement Resources to learn about finding employment in Canada, making your initial days stress-free, etc.