CC (Coherence and Cohesion) is a key assessment of candidates’ structured thinking and writing skills in IELTS. However, many candidates often neglect this aspect in their practice, focusing instead on grammar and vocabulary, which leads to significant score losses in this area. In fact, there are many standardized approaches to CC that, with regular practice, are not difficult to master. Today, we will delve into what CC means in IELTS to help candidates improve their writing performance.
Official Definition
First, let’s take a look at the official definition of coherence and cohesion (CC).
The official IELTS definition states: “CC is concerned with the overall organization and logical development of the message: how the response organizes and links information, ideas, and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing, while cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (e.g., logical connectors, conjunctions, and pronouns) to assist in making clear the relationships between and within sentences.”
Furthermore, IELTS has detailed the assessment criteria for coherence and cohesion through the following five points:
- The coherence of the response via the logical organization of information and/or ideas, or the logical progression of the argument.
- The appropriate use of paragraphing for topic organization and presentation.
- The logical sequencing of ideas and/or information within and across paragraphs.
- The flexible use of reference and substitution (e.g., definite articles, pronouns).
- The appropriate use of discourse markers to clearly mark the stages in a response (e.g., [First of all | In conclusion]) and to signal the relationships between ideas and/or information (e.g., [as a result | similarly]).
- The coherence of the response via the logical organization of information and/or ideas, or the logical progression of the argument.
The official definition is relatively abstract and complex. To understand it more simply, coherence refers to how you plan to structure your essay: whether you’ll use a one-sided or two-sided argument, how many paragraphs to include (four or five), and how many sentences to develop each point in each paragraph (see my previous articles about how to write the opening, TEEEL and PEE, one-sided or balanced arguments) . Cohesion, on the other hand, is about how to use linking words to organize these paragraphs and sentences together.
CC in Examiners' Comments
Let’s have a look at the comments from the examiners in IELTS 19 series regarding coherence and cohesion. This will help you better understand the examiner’s focus.
IELTS 19 Test 1 Task 2: “…, Unfortunately, there is no paragraphing to group ideas together or indicate main topics. This affects the rating for coherence and cohesion, …” (Band Score 6.0)
IELTS 19 Test 2 Task 2: “…, Overall, ideas are presented in a clear order, and there is some good use of linking words and expressions [First of all | Nevertheless | Most importantly | Unless], …” (Band Score 6.0)
IELTS 19 Test 3 Task 2: “…, Ideas are easy to follow and logically organised. Linking expressions are well integrated [Whether | Sometimes | Perhaps] and generally accurate, and cohesive devices are used well [Many tend to | everybody who] with some errors [own choices / their own choices]. Paragraphing at the start is appropriate, but the last four sentences are set out separately and inappropriately, which affects the score, …” (Band Score 7.0)
IELTS 19 Test 4 Task 2: “…, Generally, the candidate organises the ideas well, and we can follow them clearly. Some good linking devices are used [where | maybe even | which | who], but some errors remain [this cases/ these cases | than/ then]. The response is set out across five paragraphs, but three of them have only two sentences. These are short paragraphs and could be extended to illustrate the central topic in more detail, …” (Band Score 6.0)
A Good Example
Below is a sample essay from the examiner in IELTS 18 Test 3 Task 2, which clearly demonstrates coherence and cohesion. Let’s learn from it together.
Statistics show that the world’s population is increasing rapidly. It is expected that most of us will be living in cities within the next few decades. The question of whether urbanisation is a positive or negative development remains controversial.
A rapid influx of people moving from rural to urban areas is bound to cause problems. Firstly, pressure on resources such as housing and transportation intensifies. It is becoming difficult for many people to afford adequate housing in cities. A by-product of this is the creation of slums causing low-income families to group together in neglected parts of the city. These people often become trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape.
As mentioned above, the growth of urban areas can also lead to severe traffic congestion because more and more vehicles travel into the city from the suburbs. This has many knock-on effects, such as problems with air quality. It also leads many city dwellers to experience mental health issues because travelling across large cities is tiring and stressful.
All of this being said, I don’t believe that urbanisation is a wholly negative development. There are advantages to living in large cities that are well managed. For example, there are more schools which means more education opportunities. Access to higher-quality health care is often better in cities. Some cities have also introduced ride-sharing, e-bikes, and park and ride services that reduce environmental problems.
My opinion is that many of the problems associated with urbanisation are avoidable but dealing with increasing populations in cities is a formidable challenge. How governments, businesses, and society respond to this challenge will dramatically affect the future of our world.
This essay demonstrates good coherence and cohesion. It effectively organizes the argument with clear topic sentences, logical progression, and appropriate linking words.
In terms of coherence, it is structured with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing negative aspects, and a conclusion that presents a balanced view. Each paragraph addresses specific points, contributing to a logical flow.
Regarding cohesion, Linking phrases like “Firstly,” “As mentioned above,” and “All of this being said” guide readers through the text, connecting ideas smoothly. Additionally, pronouns also play a role in cohesion by referring back to previously mentioned ideas, preventing repetition and enhancing flow. The use of these cohesive devices helps clarify relationships between thoughts and maintains the essay’s overall structure.
Key Takeaways
Here are three practical key takeaways for coherence and cohesion I would like to give you:
- Organize Your Ideas Clearly: Plan your essay structure in advance, using clear paragraphs for each main idea. Decide whether to adopt a one-sided or two-sided argument and stick to that plan to ensure logical flow.
- Use Linking Words and Devices: Incorporate a variety of linking words and cohesive devices (e.g., “Firstly,” “In addition,” “However”) to connect sentences and paragraphs. This helps clarify relationships between ideas and enhances the overall readability of your essay.
- Utilize Pronouns for Cohesion: Use pronouns effectively. This allows your writing to flow smoothly and keeps readers engaged.
- Practice Paragraphing: Ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and develops a single idea. Aim for balanced paragraph lengths and avoid overly short paragraphs, as this can disrupt the flow and weaken coherence.
