We know that success in the IELTS exam comes down to how well you understand the sections of the exam and what is being asked of you in each prompt. The Writing Task 2 holds considerable weight in this regard. Two critical elements in this section are coherence and cohesion. In this blog post, I’ll explain the key role that coherence and cohesion play in your IELTS writing task 2 success.
Understanding Coherence and Cohesion:
Before we explore their significance, let's clarify what coherence and cohesion mean.
Coherence: relates to the overall clarity and organization of the essay. It involves presenting ideas in a logical order, ensuring that each paragraph builds on the previous one, and the essay on the whole is easy for the reader to follow.
Cohesion: refers to the logical and clear connections between sentences and paragraphs, achieved through cohesive devices such as conjunctions, transitional phrases, and pronouns. These devices link ideas and create a smooth flow of information.
Importance of Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2:
1. Improved Readability and Understanding: Coherent and cohesive writing ensures your essay is easy to read and understand. If your ideas are presented in a clear and organized manner, the examiner can focus on evaluating your language proficiency rather than interpreting a fragmented essay.
2. Enhanced Task Response: The ability to maintain coherence and cohesion directly contributes to fulfilling the task response criteria. When ideas are connected logically, it is easier to address the essay prompt and provide a well-developed argument or discussion, leading to higher task achievement scores.
3. Conveys a Mature Writing Style: Coherent and cohesive writing reflects a more mature and advanced level of language proficiency. Demonstrating these skills showcases a command of English that extends beyond mere vocabulary and grammar. This is more important than jamming your essay with unnatural vocabulary or complex grammar structures, which tend to unravel some students' coherence and cohesion!
It is one thing to talk about the Two Cs -but what do they look like in practice? Here are a few examples to help.
Coherence Examples:
Example 1: Logical Order
Without Coherence: "Firstly, I visited the museum. Then, I had lunch. After that, I went to the beach."
With Coherence: "Firstly, I visited the museum. Afterward, I had lunch, and finally, I went to the beach."
Example 2: Clear Main Idea in Each Paragraph
Without Coherence: "Paragraph 1: The benefits of exercise. Paragraph 2: Healthy eating habits. Paragraph 3: The importance of sleep."
With Coherence: "Paragraph 1: The benefits of exercise for physical health. Paragraph 2: Healthy eating habits contribute to overall well-being. Paragraph 3: The importance of sufficient sleep for mental and physical health."
Example 3: Transitional Sentences
Without Coherence: "I enjoy reading. I also like playing sports. Books offer a different kind of experience."
With Coherence: "While I enjoy playing sports, there's a unique experience that comes with reading. Books provide a different kind of enjoyment altogether."
Cohesion Examples:
Example 1: Conjunctions
Without Cohesion: "The weather was nice. I decided to go for a walk. I met my friend in the park."
With Cohesion: "The weather was nice, so I decided to go for a walk, and in the park, I met my friend."
Example 2: Transitional Phrases
Without Cohesion: "I like cooking. Cooking allows me to be creative. I can try new recipes."
With Cohesion: "I like cooking because it allows me to be creative. Additionally, I can try new recipes."
Example 3: Pronouns
Without Cohesion: "John found the book interesting. John recommended the book to his friends."
With Cohesion: "John found the book interesting and recommended it to his friends."
Combined Coherence and Cohesion:
Without Coherence and Cohesion: "I like traveling. The Eiffel Tower is in Paris. Italy has great food. People should visit different places."
With Coherence and Cohesion: "Traveling is a passion of mine. When I visited Paris, I was captivated by the iconic Eiffel Tower. Additionally, Italy with its incredible cuisine, left a lasting impression on me. Exploring different places offers a rich tapestry of experiences that everyone should indulge in."
In these examples, cohesion is achieved using conjunctions, transitional phrases, and pronouns. While coherence is established through logical order, clear main ideas in each paragraph, and transitional sentences.
Now, try to analyze and create similar connections in your writing to enhance both coherence and cohesion in your IELTS practice essays.
Tips for Achieving Cohesion and Coherence:
1. Plan Your Essay: If you remember from my previous post about your WT2 Foundation, this is part of steps 2-3. You must spend a few minutes planning your essay before diving into writing. This will help you organize your thoughts, create a clear structure, and ensure a logical progression of ideas.
2. Use Cohesive Devices: Incorporate cohesive devices such as conjunctions (however, therefore), transitional phrases (in addition, moreover), and pronouns (it, they) appropriately. These devices create a bridge between sentences and paragraphs, guiding the reader through the essay.
3. Logical Paragraph Structure: Focus each paragraph on a single main idea, and ensure ideas flow seamlessly from one paragraph to the next. This ensures coherence and prevents the essay from feeling disjointed.
4. Avoid unnecessary repetition: Cohesion doesn't mean using the same words or phrases repeatedly. Use synonyms and varied vocabulary to maintain reader interest and boost your score.
5. Check Pronoun References: Ensure pronouns have clear antecedents to avoid confusion. To be clear, remember the antecedent is the subject of the sentence, the word that will later be replaced by a pronoun to avoid repetition.
Ex: Sam was not sure what was wrong with his plants; they just kept dying.
6. Check/ Edit: Review your essay for cohesion and coherence when you are checking for any spelling or grammatical errors. This step is crucial for you to identify areas where improvements can be made and improve your score.
The Two Cs and your success:
Coherence and cohesion play a key role in your success in the IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding these concepts and implementing the tips provided, you can enhance your essay's clarity, organization, and overall quality. When striving for success in the IELTS exam, a well-structured and seamlessly connected essay will set you on the path to achieving your desired score.
Good luck!