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Linking Words and Cohesive Devices: Your Secret Weapon for a Higher Writing Score

Have you ever written an IELTS essay with solid ideas, only to get a disappointing score for "Coherence and Cohesion"? It’s a frustrating experience. You know your points are good, but the essay feels disjointed, clunky, or difficult to follow. Your sentences might be grammatically correct, but they don't connect smoothly, leaving the examiner to piece together your argument. This lack of "flow" is a common challenge that holds many students back from achieving a Band 7 or higher.

What if you could bridge the gaps between your ideas effortlessly, creating an argument that is not only logical but also a pleasure to read? The solution lies in mastering a specific set of tools: linking words and cohesive devices. These are the secret weapons that transform a collection of sentences into a sophisticated, high-scoring essay. Understanding how to use them—and, just as importantly, how not to use them—is a game-changer for your IELTS Writing score.

What Are Cohesive Devices (and Why Do They Matter So Much)?

Cohesive devices are words and phrases that act like signposts in your writing. They guide the reader through your argument by showing the relationship between your ideas. Think of them as the glue that holds your sentences and paragraphs together, ensuring a smooth and logical progression from one point to the next. In the IELTS Writing assessment, this is officially evaluated under Coherence and Cohesion, which accounts for a full 25% of your total score.

Without effective cohesive devices, your essay can feel like a list of disconnected ideas. With them, your writing becomes a well-structured, persuasive, and easy-to-follow argument. However, this is where many students make a critical mistake: they believe that using more linking words automatically equals a higher score. This is a dangerous myth.

The Myth of 'More is Better': The Dangers of Overusing Linking Words

Many IELTS test-takers fall into the trap of memorizing a long list of linking words and sprinkling them throughout their essays, often at the beginning of every sentence. This approach, however, leads to writing that sounds unnatural, repetitive, and even illogical. Examiners are trained to spot this “mechanical” use of cohesive devices and will penalize you for it.

Consider this example:

Before (Weak and Unnatural):
Firstly, the primary cause of pollution is industrial waste. Moreover, the number of cars on the road is increasing. Additionally, people are not recycling enough. In conclusion, pollution is a major problem.

While this paragraph uses linking words, it does so in a clunky and formulaic way. The ideas are connected, but the flow is forced. Now, let's look at a more sophisticated approach.

After (Strong and Natural):
The primary cause of pollution is industrial waste, which is often discharged into rivers and the atmosphere without adequate treatment. This issue is compounded by the ever-increasing number of cars on the road. Another contributing factor is the public's general reluctance to recycle, which leads to overflowing landfills. These factors combined have created a significant environmental crisis.

Notice the difference? The second example uses cohesive devices more subtly. It relies on a variety of techniques, such as pronouns (which, this), synonyms, and logical connections between ideas, rather than just a list of linking words. This is the key to achieving a high score for Coherence and Cohesion.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Linking Words

Beyond overuse, there are a few other common mistakes that can lower your score. Be sure to avoid these traps:

1. Using Weak or Template-Like Linking Words: Relying on "Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly" for every essay is a classic sign of a memorized template. Examiners want to see natural and logical transitions, not a paint-by-numbers approach. Instead of "Secondly," try a phrase like, "Another key factor is..."

2. Using Contradictory Linking Words: Be careful not to use two linking words that have opposite meanings. For example, writing "Therefore, however..." is illogical and will confuse the reader. Choose one that accurately reflects the relationship between your ideas.

3. Using Informal or Outdated Phrases: Your IELTS essay should be written in a formal, academic style. Avoid overly casual phrases like "Last but not least" (use "Finally" instead) or outdated expressions like "to recapitulate" (use "In conclusion" instead).

Your Actionable Checklist for Flawless Cohesion

To ensure your writing is both coherent and cohesive, use this checklist every time you practice:

[ ] Link with Logic, Not Just Labels: Does my argument flow logically even without the linking word? If so, I might not need it.
[ ] Vary My Cohesive Devices: Am I using a range of linking words and other cohesive techniques (like pronouns and synonyms)?
[ ] Check for Natural Flow: Have I read my essay aloud to check if it sounds natural and not mechanical?
[ ] Use Linking Words Accurately: Have I chosen the correct linking word to show the intended relationship between my ideas?
[ ] Avoid Overuse: Have I used linking words only when necessary to guide the reader?

From Clunky to Cohesive: The Path to a Higher Score

Mastering cohesive devices is about quality, not quantity. It’s about understanding the logical connections between your ideas and using linking words as precise tools to make those connections clear to the examiner. By moving beyond memorized lists and focusing on the function and natural application of these devices, you can significantly improve your Coherence and Cohesion score.

Of course, knowing the rules is only half the battle. The real skill comes from practice and receiving expert feedback. If you're ready to take your writing to the next level and learn how to apply these techniques flawlessly, I encourage you to explore Teacher Ivan’s IELTS General Writing course. You'll get interactive lessons, detailed feedback, and the structured practice you need to turn your essays from clunky to cohesive.

References

IDP IELTS. (n.d.). IELTS Writing Task 2: 7 mistakes preventing you from getting a band 7. Retrieved from https://ielts.idp.com/prepare/article-ielts-writing-task-2-7-mistakes-preventing-a-band-7
IELTS ETC. (n.d. ). IELTS Writing Task 2: How to use PEEL paragraphs. Retrieved from https://ieltsetc.com/peel-paragraphs-ielts-writing-task-2/

How to Structure the Perfect IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay

Feeling overwhelmed by the IELTS Writing Task 2? You’re not alone. Many students stare at the question, a dozen ideas swirling in their minds, and have no idea how to organize them into a coherent, high-scoring essay. They either start writing immediately and end up with a disorganized collection of thoughts, or they spend too much time planning and run out of time to write. The result is often the same: a lower score than they deserve.

But what if there was a simple, repeatable framework that could take the guesswork out of structuring your essay? A framework that examiners recognize and reward? The good news is, there is. In this guide, we’ll break down the perfect 4-paragraph structure that will help you write a clear, logical, and well-developed essay every single time.

The 4-Paragraph Structure: Your Blueprint for Success
For a 250-word IELTS Task 2 essay, the 4-paragraph structure is your golden ticket. It’s simple, effective, and ensures you cover all the necessary components of a high-scoring essay. Here’s what it looks like:

Paragraph Purpose
1. Introduction: Introduce the topic and clearly state your position.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Present and develop your first main idea.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Present and develop your second main idea.
4. Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your position.

This structure provides a clear and logical flow for your ideas, making it easy for the examiner to follow your argument. It also ensures that you dedicate enough space to developing your main points in the body paragraphs, which is crucial for a high score in Task Response.

The Introduction: Making a Strong First Impression

Your introduction is the first thing the examiner reads, so it’s important to make a good impression. A strong introduction has two key components:

1. The Background Statement: This is where you introduce the topic by paraphrasing the essay question. Don’t just copy the question; use your own words to show the examiner your range of vocabulary.
2. The Thesis Statement: This is the most important sentence in your entire essay. It’s where you clearly state your position or opinion. A clear thesis statement is essential for a high score in Task Response.

Let’s look at an example. For the question, “Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways to reduce crime. Discuss both views and give your own opinion,” a strong introduction would look like this:

"It is often argued that imposing longer custodial sentences is the most effective method of crime reduction. However, others contend that alternative approaches are more impactful. This essay will discuss both perspectives before concluding that I believe education and community support are more effective long-term solutions."

The Body Paragraphs: Where You Develop Your Ideas

The body paragraphs are the heart of your essay. This is where you present and develop your main ideas. To ensure your body paragraphs are well-structured and fully developed, use the PEEL method:

• P - Point: Start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
• E - Explain: Explain your point in more detail. What do you mean by this? Why is it important?
• E - Example: Provide a specific example to support your point. This could be from your own experience, or a more general example.
• L - Link: Link your point back to the essay question or to the next paragraph.

Let’s see the PEEL method in action. Here’s a poorly structured paragraph (opinion dumping):

Longer prison sentences are not the answer. They are expensive and don’t work. Criminals just reoffend when they get out. We need to find a better way.

Now, let’s rewrite it using the PEEL method:

(P) One of the main arguments against longer prison sentences is their limited effectiveness in rehabilitating offenders. (E) When prisoners are locked away for extended periods without access to proper education or vocational training, they are more likely to return to a life of crime upon release. This is because they lack the skills and support necessary to reintegrate into society. (E) For example, a study in the UK found that over 60% of inmates with sentences of less than 12 months reoffend within a year of release, suggesting that short-term, punitive measures are not a deterrent. (L) Therefore, it is clear that simply increasing the length of prison sentences is not a sustainable solution for reducing crime rates.

See the difference? The second paragraph is much more convincing because it’s well-structured and fully developed.

The Conclusion: Leaving a Lasting Impression

Your conclusion should be a short and concise summary of your main points. It should not introduce any new ideas. A good conclusion has two parts:

3 A summary of your main points: Briefly restate the main ideas from your body paragraphs.
4 A restatement of your thesis: End with a final sentence that reinforces your position.

Here’s an example conclusion for our essay on crime reduction:

In conclusion, while longer prison sentences may have a role to play in incapacitating dangerous criminals, they are not the most effective way to reduce crime in the long term. I believe that a greater focus on education, vocational training, and community support programs would be a more humane and effective approach to tackling the root causes of criminal behavior.

Your Checklist for a Perfectly Structured Essay
• ☐Does your essay have a clear 4-paragraph structure?
• ☐Does your introduction paraphrase the question and have a clear thesis statement?
• ☐Does each body paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
• ☐Have you used the PEEL method to develop your body paragraphs?
• ☐Does your conclusion summarize your main points and restate your thesis?
• ☐Have you avoided introducing new ideas in your conclusion?

By following this simple framework, you can transform your IELTS Writing Task 2 essays from a jumbled mess of ideas into a clear, coherent, and high-scoring piece of writing. It takes practice, but with this structure as your guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your target band score.

Ready to take your IELTS Writing to the next level? My comprehensive IELTS Writing courses break down every aspect of the exam, from essay structure to advanced vocabulary. With detailed video lessons, practice exercises, and personalized feedback, you’ll get the support you need to write with confidence and achieve your goals.