Coherence & cohesion that reads naturally

Coherence & Cohesion is one of the four equal criteria, and it is where many candidates accidentally lower their score by over-using linking words. The band descriptors reward "a clear central topic in each paragraph" and cohesion that "attracts no attention" - in other words, linking you barely notice. The paradox of this criterion is that the harder you visibly try to link, with stacked Firstly… Moreover… In addition…, the more mechanical and lower-band your writing sounds.

Coherence = logical flow

• One central idea per paragraph. If you can't summarise a paragraph in a few words, it is doing two jobs and should be split.
• A topic sentence first, then support that develops that idea only.
• A logical order across paragraphs, so the reader is never surprised by where you go next.

Cohesion = the glue

Three tools, used lightly:

1. Linking words - however, as a result, in addition - but sparingly, and matched to meaning.
2. Referencing - this, these, such, it, which - to avoid repeating nouns.
3. Substitution - the former, the latter, this approach, doing so.

Worked example 1 - before / after

Before (over-linked and choppy):

Firstly, cars cause pollution. Moreover, cars cause traffic. Furthermore, cars are expensive. In addition, public transport is cheaper. Therefore, people should use public transport.

Every sentence opens with a connector and stands alone - the descriptor calls this "mechanical" cohesion, and it actively caps the band.

After (flows from meaning, uses referencing):

Private cars create two clear problems: they pollute the air and they clog city roads. Both issues, together with the high cost of fuel and parking, make driving an expensive habit. Public transport avoids these drawbacks, which is why cities should encourage it.

Why this scores: Both issues and these drawbacks are referencing - they point back to ideas already named, stitching the sentences together so smoothly that few explicit connectors are needed. The single relative clause which is why cities should encourage it links cause to recommendation without a clunky Therefore. The cohesion now "attracts no attention", which is the band-7-plus standard.

Worked example 2 - building one cohesive paragraph from a topic sentence

Coherence starts with a strong topic sentence that the rest of the paragraph obeys.

(Topic sentence) Remote working has reshaped the modern office in ways few predicted. (Develops the same idea) Where teams once gathered in one building, many now coordinate across time zones, relying on video calls and shared documents. (Referencing keeps it tight) This shift has obvious benefits, yet it also raises a question the old model never had to ask: how do colleagues build trust when they rarely meet? (Closes on the same idea) Answering that question is now central to how companies are run.

Why this scores: every sentence serves the one idea announced in the topic sentence (remote working reshaped the office). This shift and that question reference earlier content instead of repeating nouns; yet carries a genuine contrast; and the paragraph would summarise in a single phrase - the test of true coherence.

Cohesive devices that read naturally: this trend · such an approach · the former / the latter · doing so · as a result · by contrast · which means that · a problem of this kind.

Worked example 3 - referencing that stays clear

Referencing words (this, it, these, such) are powerful, but a vague this can confuse the reader - and Coherence is about being easy to follow, so an unclear reference costs marks.

Unclear: Governments are cutting funding and universities are raising fees. This is a serious problem. - (Which this? The cuts, the fees, or both?)

Clear: *Governments are cutting funding and, in response, universities are raising fees. This combination of pressures is putting a degree out of reach for many students.*

Why this scores: adding a summary noun after this - this combination of pressures, this trend, this approach - points the reader to exactly what you mean. The technique is sometimes called a "signposting noun", and using it well is a clear marker of band-7-plus cohesion: you link ideas and keep the link transparent.

A quick paragraphing check

Read only the first sentence of each paragraph. Together, they should read like a summary of your whole answer. If they don't, your topic sentences are weak and the essay lacks an overall thread.

Common mistakes

• A linking word at the start of every sentence (Firstly… Secondly… Moreover…).
• Using connectors wrongly - Moreover between two contrasting ideas, or In conclusion mid-essay.
• One-sentence paragraphs, or one giant block with no breaks.
• Repeating the same noun ten times instead of using it / this / these.
• No topic sentence, so the reader hunts for the point of the paragraph.

Try it

Take any paragraph you've written at **/ielts/writing and delete every linking word. Read it again: does it still flow? Add back only the two or three* connectors that the meaning genuinely needs, and use this/these* to replace a repeated noun. Then read just your topic sentences in sequence - do they tell the whole story? Lighter linking and strong topic sentences almost always read better.