IELTS cohesion and coherence

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Cohesion is a very important aspect of IELTS writing tasks.

Cohesion is how you link all the ideas present in your work.

If you want to get a high score for the writing tasks, you need to know the best ways to build clear and logical paragraphs where all the sentences are tied together.

Keep in mind that just by using transition devices you won’t make your work coherent!

You’re to provide the reader with the main thought.

The transition devices just help a reader to follow the path that you’ve outlined.

Therefore, build a solid topic sentence and then provide a clear and logical argument for it in the supporting sentences where you take advantage of the transition devices as well.

In other words, transitions serve as bridges between your sentences and paragraphs.

Linking words

1. Use linking words firstly, secondly, thirdly etc. These are quite straightforward and make it easier for the examiner to follow the progression of your ideas.

Numerous scientists have proven that global warming is a dangerous phenomenon. Firstly, they believe it has accelerated and is becoming ever more unpredictable. Secondly, a global solution is needed, but unfortunately the globe still consists of individual players .i.e. nation states. Thirdly, evidence is mounting proving its severity, yet the scientists are painfully aware of the lack of action from governments.

Repetition

2. Repetition can also be beneficial sometimes. It refers to the situation when by using repetition you improve comprehension. It means that you can repeat key points of your ideas using synonyms.

Numerous lawyers have proven that global warming is a dangerous phenomenon. Firstly they believe it has accelerated and is becoming ever more unpredictable. These legal experts believe a global solution is needed, but unfortunately the globe still consists of individual players .i.e. nation states. Furthermore, evidence is mounting proving its severity, yet the law practitioners are painfully aware of the lack of action from governments.

Demonstratives

3. Demonstratives – devices that show what we referred to previously. For example, these, those, that, this. Under no condition should you use it in your topic sentence. Demonstratives are only to be used in the supporting ones when a reader already knows what you’re talking about.

They have proven that it is a dangerous phenomenon, in fact it has accelerated and is becoming ever more unpredictable, this is the view of most of the legal profession, regarding global warming.

The sentence above is HORRIBLE.

I have to read all the way to the end until I can understand what the writer is referring to (global warming)!

Writing like the above creates a lot of reader strain! How do we correct it?

Lawyers have proven that global warming is a dangerous phenomenon, in fact it has accelerated and is becoming ever more unpredictable.

Show precise relationships between ideas.

There are specific transition words and phrases that show precise relationships between the ideas:

1. To show similarities. For example, similarly, likewise.
2. To build an argument. For example, in addition to, moreover, besides.
3. To give examples. For example, to illustrate.
4. To emphasize some points. For example, indeed, undoubtedly, truly.

…..These legal experts believe a global solution is needed, but unfortunately the globe still consists of individual players .i.e. nation states. Furthermore, evidence is undoubtedly mounting proving its severity, yet the law practitioners are painfully aware of the lack of action from governments….

5. To show difference. For example, in spite of, still, although.
6. To indicate time. For example, soon, lately, formerly.
7. To indicate place. For example, underneath, on the other side.
8. To indicate cause/effect. For example, therefore, accordingly.

…..These legal experts believe a global solution is needed and have urged nation states to take action. Accordingly numerous lawyers have petitioned legislatures but still the problems persist. Overall it is difficult to envision any solution on the horizon. For example, the recent Paris agreement took over five years of negotiation. Soon there will be a necessity for yet another global treaty, in spite of all the lobbying by the legal profession.

9. To summarize. For example, overall, on the whole, in short.

Overall the bar chart shows how petrol prices increased to maximum of €1.20 per litre, and have remained around this level for last 10 years, except in 2009 where they fell to a record low of €0.78 per litre.

KEY IDEA:
Remember that each sentence has to have a task to fulfill.

Transitions are some of the key tools you implement in your supporting sentences.

On the online course, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to build a solid structure for your work in the IELTS exam. There are examples of strong, coherent sentences. By taking advantage of them, you can organize your paragraphs in a logical way.

We hope that the article is useful for you and will help you to easily write a perfect essay or report.

Tutorials and Tips to Prepare for Task 2

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