Cohesive Devices Used Sparingly
When linkers help vs. when they crowd
Topic & Why It Matters
Cohesive devices are the words and structures that connect ideas: linkers, pronouns, reference phrases, repeated key terms, and cause-effect grammar. They matter because IELTS gives a separate Coherence and Cohesion score, and the examiner must be able to follow your argument without guessing.
Candidates lose marks when they treat cohesion as a list of fancy connectors. Strong writing uses enough signposting to guide the reader, but not so much that every sentence sounds like a memorised template.
Knowledge Points
Structure Template
Plan cohesion at essay level before choosing individual linkers. Each paragraph should have one clear job and one clear connection to the surrounding argument.
| Essay Stage | Cohesion Function | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Set the argument route | Paraphrase the prompt and state a thesis that previews the main relationship between the views. One concession marker such as 'While' is often enough. |
| Body paragraph 1 | Develop the first side | Start with a topic sentence. Use one example marker if needed, then connect the evidence to its effect with a result phrase such as 'therefore' or 'as a result'. |
| Body paragraph 2 | Shift or extend the argument | Use a contrast signal only if the paragraph genuinely moves away from the previous view. Build cohesion with reference words like 'these services' or 'this approach'. |
| Conclusion | Return to the thesis | Use a short concluding phrase, restate the position, and avoid introducing a fresh linker-heavy argument in the final sentence. |
Three-Question Cohesion Audit
| Question | Action |
|---|---|
| What relationship am I showing? | Choose a device only after naming the relationship: contrast, result, example, addition, condition, or conclusion. |
| Can a reference word do the job? | Use 'this', 'these services', 'such measures', or a repeated key noun when the sentence continues the same idea. |
| Is the paragraph still controlled by one idea? | If a linker is hiding a jump to a new topic, split the paragraph or rewrite the topic sentence. |
Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit
| Expression | Usage Note |
|---|---|
| while | Introduces a concession or contrast inside a sentence |
| whereas | Compares two different facts or positions directly |
| however | Signals a clear shift between sentences or paragraphs |
| nevertheless | Returns to the main position after a concession |
| by contrast | Useful when the previous sentence presented the opposite pattern |
| for example | Introduces specific evidence; use once per paragraph at most |
| such as | Gives examples within a sentence without stopping the flow |
| this means that | Explains the consequence of the previous sentence |
| as a result | Shows effect; do not use if no cause has been established |
| therefore | Formal result marker; stronger than 'so' |
| because / since / as | Reason clauses that create logical flow without a separate linker |
| provided that | Adds a condition and keeps the claim precise |
| if | Simple conditional for risks, solutions, and policy limits |
| rather than | Contrasts two choices within one sentence |
| instead of | Shows replacement; useful in conclusions and solutions |
| this argument | References the previous claim instead of repeating it |
| these services | References a named group such as buses, trains, or clinics |
| such measures | Useful for referring back to solutions already named |
| for this reason | Links explanation back to a paragraph judgement |
| overall | Signals the final judgement or Task 1 overview |
| in the long term | Organises time-based reasoning without a heavy transition |
| the former / the latter | Can avoid repetition, but use only when the two nouns are unmistakable |
Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Starting every sentence with a linker | Weak: 'Firstly... Moreover... Furthermore... In addition...' Strong: use one clear topic sentence, then connect ideas with pronouns, repeated key nouns, and cause-effect grammar. |
| Using a contrast word without contrast | Do not write 'However' before another supporting example. Use 'For example', 'This also means that', or no linker if the sentence naturally continues the same idea. |
| Replacing key nouns with unclear synonyms | If the topic is public transport, it is fine to repeat 'public transport' or use precise references such as 'these services'. Do not force vague synonyms like 'this aspect'. |
| Writing paragraphs that do not connect to the thesis | Each topic sentence should echo the prompt and the thesis. If the thesis is about productivity, a paragraph about happiness needs an explicit productivity link. |
| Using memorised sequence labels for Task 2 | 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' are acceptable but often basic. Prefer topic-led openings such as 'The strongest argument for road investment is...' or 'In dense cities, public transport...'. |
Practice Prompt
Set a 40-minute timer. Before writing, plan which paragraph will concede, which will contrast, and where a reference word can replace a heavy linker.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some people think governments should spend more money on public transport, while others believe road networks should receive more investment.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 255 words
Debates about transport spending often centre on whether public money should prioritise buses, trains, and metro systems or the roads used by private cars and freight. While better roads can reduce bottlenecks in some areas, I believe public transport deserves greater investment because it moves more people efficiently and makes cities less dependent on private vehicles.
The case for road investment is strongest where existing routes are unsafe or seriously congested. In rural districts, for example, a poorly maintained road may delay ambulances, increase delivery costs, and isolate residents from work or education. Upgrading such routes can therefore bring immediate economic and social benefits. This argument is reasonable, especially when a road serves communities with few realistic transport alternatives.
However, in dense towns and cities, public transport usually creates stronger long-term gains. A full bus lane or train line can carry far more passengers than the same space filled with individual cars, so investment in these services reduces congestion rather than simply making room for more traffic. It also gives low-income residents, students, and older people reliable access to jobs and public services. If fares remain affordable and services run frequently, the benefits extend beyond convenience to cleaner air and a more equal city.
For these reasons, road repairs should not be ignored, particularly outside major urban centres. Nevertheless, the main priority should be public transport, with road spending reserved for safety and essential connectivity. This approach links each project to a clear purpose instead of treating every journey as another reason to expand roads.
Annotated Commentary
Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice that cohesion comes from reference, paragraph direction, and sentence logic, not from a long chain of obvious linking words.
Self-Check
Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.
- Why can too many linking words reduce Coherence and Cohesion rather than improve it?
- What is the difference between 'however' and 'therefore'?
- Replace the second 'Moreover' in this sequence: 'Public transport reduces traffic. Moreover, it carries more people in less space. Moreover, it helps low-income residents reach work.'