Coherence and Cohesion is one of the four scoring criteria for both IELTS Writing tasks, worth 25% of your Writing band score. Many candidates assume this means "use lots of linking words", but overusing connectors from a memorised list is one of the most common reasons Band 5-6 essays fail to reach Band 7. This guide gives you a complete, organised reference, and explains how to use it without overdoing it.
How Coherence and Cohesion Is Actually Scored
| Band | What Examiners Look For |
|---|---|
| Band 5 | Uses basic connectors (and, but, so) repetitively; cohesion may be mechanical or absent |
| Band 6 | Uses a range of cohesive devices, but with some inaccuracy or over/under-use |
| Band 7 | Uses a range of cohesive devices flexibly, with occasional lapses |
| Band 8-9 | Cohesion is skilfully managed, devices are varied, accurate, and largely invisible (the writing flows naturally rather than feeling "connected by linking words") |
Key insight: at Band 8-9, good cohesion often comes from referencing (pronouns, synonyms, substitution) and logical paragraph structure: not from a high density of explicit linking words like "Furthermore" and "Moreover." A common Band 6 trap is starting too many sentences with a linking word from a memorised list, which can actually look mechanical to examiners.
Linking Words by Function
Addition
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| In addition / Additionally | In addition, the policy would reduce costs for small businesses. |
| Furthermore / Moreover | Furthermore, similar measures have proven effective elsewhere. |
| Besides this | Besides this, the proposal addresses long-standing infrastructure gaps. |
| As well as [+ noun/-ing] | As well as reducing costs, the policy would create jobs. |
Contrast
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| However | However, critics argue the costs are underestimated. |
| Nevertheless / Nonetheless | Nevertheless, the long-term benefits may outweigh short-term costs. |
| On the other hand | On the other hand, smaller businesses may struggle to comply. |
| Whereas / While [+ clause] | Whereas urban areas have seen improvements, rural areas have not. |
| Despite / In spite of [+ noun/-ing] | Despite these concerns, the programme has continued to expand. |
Cause and Effect
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| As a result / Consequently | As a result, demand for the service has increased significantly. |
| Therefore / Thus | Therefore, policymakers should consider alternative approaches. |
| This means that... | This means that fewer resources are available for other priorities. |
| Due to / Owing to [+ noun] | Due to rising costs, many families have changed their habits. |
Exemplification
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| For example / For instance | For example, several European countries have adopted similar policies. |
| Such as | Issues such as traffic congestion have worsened in recent years. |
| A case in point is... | A case in point is the recent expansion of public transport in the city. |
| To illustrate this... | To illustrate this, consider the impact on small retailers. |
Sequencing / Ordering
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Firstly / Secondly / Finally | Firstly, the policy targets emissions from transport. |
| To begin with | To begin with, it's worth considering the historical context. |
| Subsequently / Following this | Subsequently, the government introduced further reforms. |
Comparison
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| Similarly / Likewise | Similarly, neighbouring countries have reported the same trend. |
| In the same way | In the same way, this approach could apply to other sectors. |
| Compared with / In comparison to | Compared with the previous decade, growth has slowed considerably. |
Conclusion / Summary
| Word/Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| In conclusion / To conclude | In conclusion, both approaches have merit, but [X] is more effective. |
| Overall | Overall, the evidence suggests that early intervention is key. |
| To summarise | To summarise, the benefits of this policy outweigh its costs. |
Beyond Linking Words: Reference and Substitution
These devices are used heavily by Band 8-9 writers and are often more important than explicit connectors:
Pronoun Reference
Instead of repeating a noun, refer back to it:
"The government introduced a new policy in 2023. It aimed to reduce traffic congestion in major cities."
Synonym/Paraphrase Reference
Avoid repeating the same word by using synonyms or related phrases:
"Renewable energy adoption has accelerated. This shift towards cleaner power sources reflects growing environmental awareness."
Substitution
Replace a phrase with "this," "that," "such," or "one":
"Some argue that remote work reduces productivity. This view, however, is not supported by recent studies."
Demonstrative Reference for Whole Ideas
"Crime rates fell by 15% over the decade. This trend can be attributed to several factors."
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Example | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overusing the same connector | Using "Moreover" in 4 of 5 paragraphs | Vary your connectors; not every paragraph needs an explicit linking word at all |
| Starting every sentence with a connector | "Firstly... Secondly... However... Moreover... Finally..." | Many sentences should connect through reference/logic alone, without an explicit word |
| Using connectors with the wrong meaning | "Despite the policy was effective, costs increased." (should be "Although") | "Despite/In spite of" take a noun or -ing form, not a full clause; "Although/Even though" take a clause |
| Memorised "advanced" connectors used incorrectly | "Notwithstanding this, the proposal..." used where it doesn't fit naturally | Only use vocabulary you're confident applying correctly, incorrect "advanced" words can lower your score more than simple, accurate ones |
| Comma splices with connectors | "The cost increased, however the benefits also grew." | "However" needs a full stop or semicolon before it when joining two independent clauses: "The cost increased. However, the benefits also grew." |
Practice Approach
- Write one paragraph using only pronoun/synonym reference (no explicit linking words), this builds the underlying skill that Band 8-9 cohesion relies on
- Review your past essays and highlight every linking word, if more than 1 in 3 sentences starts with one, you're likely overusing them
- Practise the contrast group carefully ("despite/although/however/nevertheless"), these are the most commonly misused due to differing grammatical patterns
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