Coherence & Cohesion accounts for 25% of your IELTS Writing score and is also implicitly assessed in Speaking under Fluency & Coherence. Cohesive devices — the words, phrases, and grammatical mechanisms that connect ideas — are central to this criterion. This guide identifies the most effective cohesive devices for IELTS and explains how to use them without the mechanical overuse that limits Band 6 responses.
1Categories of Cohesive Devices
Cohesive devices fall into four categories: (1) Linking adverbs and conjunctions — connect ideas between and within sentences. (2) Reference words (pronouns and determiners) — avoid repetition by referring back to previously mentioned items. (3) Lexical cohesion — repeating key words or using synonyms and related words. (4) Substitution and ellipsis — replacing or omitting repeated elements for concision. Band 7 requires 'a range of cohesive devices'. Band 5–6 candidates often use only category 1 (linking words), which produces formulaic, limited cohesion. A Band 7 response uses all four categories naturally.
2Linking Adverbs by Function
Addition: furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally, also (mid-sentence), not only… but also. Contrast: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, by contrast, despite this, in spite of this. Concession: admittedly, granted that, while it is true that, even though. Cause: therefore, consequently, as a result, thus, hence, for this reason. Illustration: for example, for instance, such as, in particular, to illustrate. Summary: in conclusion, in summary, to summarise, on balance, overall. Sequence: first, secondly, then, subsequently, finally. Warning: avoid using these mechanically at the start of every sentence — this is the Band 5–6 mistake that makes writing feel robotic.
3Reference Words for Cohesion
Reference words create cohesion by linking sentences through shared reference: pronouns (it, they, these, those, this, that), possessive determiners (its, their), demonstratives (this development, these measures, that policy). Example of strong reference cohesion: 'Automation is increasingly replacing low-skill manual labour. This shift has created significant anxiety among workers in manufacturing sectors. Their concerns are understandable given the speed of the transformation, though they are not necessarily justified in the long term.' The chain of references (This → Their → they) ties five clauses together without repeating 'automation' or 'workers'. This is what examiners mean by 'variety of cohesive devices'.
4Lexical Cohesion: Synonyms and Word Families
Using synonyms and related vocabulary throughout a response creates what linguists call 'lexical chains' — networks of related words that give a text coherence without repetitive word use. Example chain for 'education': education → schooling → academic development → the learning process → formal instruction → classroom environment → pedagogical approach. Example chain for 'government policy': legislation → regulation → policy measure → official initiative → governmental intervention → administrative framework. These chains are also Lexical Resource evidence — showing you have a rich, flexible vocabulary in the relevant domain. Practise building 5-word lexical chains for your 10 most common IELTS essay topics.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Coherence and Cohesion is the criterion most directly improved by targeted practice because cohesive devices are learnable patterns. Review a recent Task 2 response and classify every cohesive device used: is it always linking adverbs? Add reference word cohesion and lexical chains. Two weeks of this habit measurably improves this criterion.