Writing Task 2: Coherence, Cohesion & Linking Words
Making Your Essay Flow Like Professional Writing
Open interactive version (quiz + challenge)Real-world analogy
Imagine reading a book where every paragraph starts on a random page, the chapters are in the wrong order, and there are no page numbers. The words might be perfect, but you cannot follow the story. Now imagine the same book with clear chapters, numbered pages, and smooth transitions between scenes. Coherence and cohesion are those chapters, page numbers, and transitions. They do not change your ideas — they make your ideas followable. An essay without cohesion is a beautiful house with no hallways between the rooms.
What is it?
Coherence and Cohesion is one of the four scoring criteria in IELTS Writing Task 2, worth 25% of your writing score. Coherence refers to how logically your ideas are organized and how clearly your argument progresses from beginning to end. Cohesion refers to the linguistic tools you use to connect those ideas — linking words, pronoun references, synonym chains, and paragraph transitions. Together, they determine whether your essay reads as a unified, flowing argument or a collection of disconnected sentences. This criterion is often where the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 is decided.
Real-world relevance
Every form of professional writing depends on coherence and cohesion. Legal briefs must build arguments in logical sequence. Business reports must flow from data to analysis to recommendation. Academic papers must connect literature review to methodology to findings. Even good journalism follows a logical thread that guides the reader from headline to conclusion. When you read an article and think 'that was easy to follow,' you are experiencing good coherence. When you read something and think 'how did we get here?', coherence has failed. These skills matter far beyond IELTS.
Key points
- Coherence vs Cohesion: Know the Difference — Coherence is the logical organization of ideas — do your paragraphs follow a logical sequence? Does each sentence connect to the next in meaning? Cohesion is the use of linguistic devices (linking words, pronouns, synonyms) to explicitly show those connections. You can have cohesion without coherence (using 'However' when there is no contrast), and coherence without explicit cohesion markers. Band 7+ requires both working together.
- Paragraph-Level Coherence — Each paragraph should have one central idea (the topic sentence) with every subsequent sentence supporting that idea. If a sentence does not relate to the topic sentence, it belongs in a different paragraph or should be deleted. Test: cover your topic sentence and read the rest — can you guess what the paragraph is about? If not, your coherence needs work.
- The Three Levels of Linking — Level 1 — Between paragraphs: use transition sentences or phrases to bridge paragraphs (Turning to the other side of the argument, Having established the causes, it is now important to consider solutions). Level 2 — Between sentences: use linking words (However, Furthermore, As a result, For instance). Level 3 — Within sentences: use relative clauses, participle phrases, and conjunctions to connect ideas within a single sentence.
- Linking Words by Function — Addition: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Additionally. Contrast: However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, Conversely, Despite this. Cause/Effect: Consequently, As a result, Therefore, This leads to. Example: For instance, For example, To illustrate, A case in point is. Emphasis: Indeed, Notably, Significantly, It is worth noting that. Concession: Admittedly, While it is true that, Granted.
- The Overuse Trap — The single biggest cohesion mistake is overusing linking words. Writing 'Firstly... Secondly... Thirdly... Moreover... Furthermore... In addition...' in every paragraph makes your essay sound mechanical and rehearsed. Band 7+ writers use linking words selectively — about 2-3 per paragraph. The rest of the flow comes from logical idea progression, pronoun reference, and synonym chains. If every sentence starts with a connector, you are overdoing it.
- Referencing and Substitution — Instead of repeating the same noun, use pronouns and synonyms to create cohesion: 'Many students struggle with mathematics. They find the subject particularly challenging during exam periods. This difficulty often stems from...' The chain of 'mathematics > the subject > this difficulty' creates smooth flow without a single linking word. This technique is a Band 8 cohesion feature.
- Thematic Progression — Strong essays follow thematic progression — the end of one sentence connects to the beginning of the next. Example: 'Education funding has decreased significantly. This reduction has led to larger class sizes. Overcrowded classrooms, in turn, make it difficult for teachers to provide individual attention.' Each sentence picks up where the last one ended, creating a chain of connected ideas that the reader follows effortlessly.
- Signposting for the Examiner — Strategic signposting helps the examiner follow your argument quickly. Use: 'The primary reason...' or 'The most significant impact...' to flag your main point. Use 'While some argue...' to signal a concession is coming. Use 'The evidence suggests...' before presenting your conclusion. These signposts are not just linking words — they are navigation aids that tell the examiner what kind of content is coming next.
Code example
Coherence and Cohesion — Before and After
====== POOR COHESION (Band 5) ======
Many people think social media is bad. Social media
causes depression. Young people use social media a
lot. Social media companies make money from
advertising. However, social media connects people.
Furthermore, social media helps businesses.
Additionally, social media spreads information.
Moreover, social media is free to use.
Problems: repetitive noun (social media x8), random
linking words, no logical progression, no development
====== STRONG COHESION (Band 7+) ======
Social media has been widely criticized for its
negative impact on mental health, particularly among
young people. Studies have consistently linked
excessive use of these platforms to increased rates
of anxiety and depression, especially in teenagers
who spend more than three hours daily scrolling
through curated content. This psychological toll is
compounded by the addictive design of such
applications, which use algorithmic feeds to maximize
screen time regardless of the emotional cost to users.
Techniques used:
- 'social media' > 'these platforms' > 'such
applications' (synonym chain)
- 'young people' > 'teenagers' > 'users' (narrowing
reference chain)
- 'negative impact' > 'anxiety and depression' >
'psychological toll' (thematic progression)
- Only ONE explicit linking word ('especially')
- Every sentence connects logically to the next
====== LINKING WORDS: GOOD vs BAD USE ======
--- OVERUSE (Band 5-6) ---
Firstly, education is important. Secondly, it helps
people get jobs. Thirdly, it improves the economy.
Moreover, it reduces crime. Furthermore, it promotes
equality. In addition, it builds confidence.
--- SELECTIVE USE (Band 7+) ---
Education serves as the foundation of economic
prosperity, equipping individuals with the skills
necessary to secure employment and contribute
productively to society. Beyond its economic benefits,
an educated population tends to exhibit lower crime
rates and greater social cohesion, as critical
thinking skills foster empathy and civic
responsibility.Line-by-line walkthrough
- 1. The poor cohesion example repeats 'social media' eight times in eight sentences. This immediately signals Band 5 to an examiner because it shows the writer cannot use synonyms or pronoun references — a basic vocabulary limitation.
- 2. The linking words in the poor example (However, Furthermore, Additionally, Moreover) are grammatically correct but logically empty. 'However' should signal contrast, but 'social media connects people' is not actually contrasting with the previous point about advertising. The linking words are decorative, not functional.
- 3. The strong cohesion example uses a synonym chain: 'social media' to 'these platforms' to 'such applications.' Each synonym fits naturally and avoids repetition while maintaining clarity about what is being discussed.
- 4. Thematic progression is visible: impact on mental health leads to specific conditions (anxiety, depression) leads to the cause (addictive design) leads to the mechanism (algorithmic feeds). Each sentence naturally follows from the previous one.
- 5. The strong example uses only one explicit linking word ('especially') in the entire paragraph. The flow comes from logical idea connection, not from connectors. This is what examiners mean by 'flexible use of cohesive devices.'
- 6. The Linking Words comparison shows the same content presented two ways. The Band 5-6 version lists six points with six connectors. The Band 7+ version weaves the same points into two flowing sentences using embedded phrases ('Beyond its economic benefits') and subordinate clauses.
- 7. Notice the Band 7+ rewrite is actually shorter than the Band 5-6 version while saying the same things with more depth. Good cohesion compresses ideas because connected thoughts need fewer words than disconnected ones.
Spot the bug
Some people believe that children should wear school
uniforms. However, other people disagree with this
view. On the other hand, there are advantages to
uniforms. For example, uniforms reduce bullying.
Furthermore, uniforms save money for parents.
Moreover, uniforms create equality among students.
In addition, uniforms help students focus on studies.
Nevertheless, some students find uniforms
uncomfortable. Despite this, the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages. Therefore, I believe uniforms
should be mandatory in all schools. In conclusion,
uniforms are beneficial.Need a hint?
Count the linking words and identify where they create logical confusion rather than clarity. Also look for a structural problem with the paragraph organization.
Show answer
Problems: (1) Twelve linking words in eleven sentences — massive overuse. This is textbook 'mechanical cohesion' (Band 5). (2) 'However' in sentence 2 and 'On the other hand' in sentence 3 both signal contrast, but sentence 3 actually supports uniforms — the linking word contradicts the content. (3) The entire essay is ONE paragraph with no structure — it should be split into an introduction, a body paragraph for advantages, a body paragraph for disadvantages, and a conclusion. (4) No development — each advantage gets exactly one sentence with no explanation. Fix: Remove 80% of the linking words, split into four paragraphs, develop each point with explanation and evidence, and use synonym chains and thematic progression instead of connectors.
Explain like I'm 5
Imagine you are building a train track. Each piece of track (sentence) needs to connect to the piece before it and the piece after it. If you just throw track pieces on the ground randomly, the train falls off. Linking words are like the little clips that hold track pieces together — but you do not need a clip between EVERY piece. Some pieces fit together naturally because they are the right shape. The best train tracks use a few clips in key spots and shape the pieces so they connect naturally everywhere else.
Fun fact
IELTS examiner training materials specifically warn against rewarding essays that overuse linking words. The official guidance states that 'mechanical use of cohesive devices' is a Band 5 feature, while 'flexible use of cohesive devices' is Band 7. One examiner trainer shared that they use a simple test: if you can remove a linking word and the sentence still makes logical sense in context, the linking word was unnecessary. Band 8 writers often achieve cohesion with zero explicit linking words in some paragraphs — purely through logical idea progression.
Hands-on challenge
Rewrite this Band 5 paragraph using cohesion techniques (synonym chains, referencing, thematic progression) and NO MORE than two explicit linking words: 'Pollution is a big problem. Pollution affects health. Many people get sick from pollution. Pollution also damages the environment. Animals die because of pollution. Pollution comes from factories and cars. Governments should reduce pollution. People should also try to reduce pollution.' Target: 80-100 words with smooth flow.
More resources
- Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing (IELTS Liz)
- How to Use Linking Words Properly (E2 IELTS)
- Avoid Overusing Linking Words (IELTS Advantage)
- Thematic Progression in Academic Writing (IELTS Buddy)