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Among the four IELTS skills, IELTS Writing is often considered the most challenging for many test takers. Besides developing ideas logically and appropriately, the effective use of cohesive devices also plays a critical role in improving the coherence and cohesion of your writing. However, using these linking words incorrectly or mechanically can result in unnatural and disjointed writing.

In this article, IDP will help you understand the concept and proper usage of cohesive devices to help you apply them effectively in your IELTS Writing.

1. What Are Cohesive Devices and Why Are They Important?

Cohesive devices (also known as linking words or connectors) are tools used to connect ideas, clauses, and sentences, making it easier for readers to follow your arguments and understand relationships between concepts.

In the IELTS Writing scoring criteria, Coherence and Cohesion account for 25 percent of your total score. Using cohesive devices properly can significantly improve your band score. However, overusing them may make your writing sound unnatural and reduce its overall clarity.

Example of cohesive devices:

  • The public transport in this city is unreliable, and it is cheap.

  • Moreover, the career span for women is shorter than for men.

2. Common Types of Cohesive Devices in IELTS Writing

Adding Information

Use these words to add more ideas or introduce supporting points:

  • And

  • Also

  • As well as

  • Furthermore

  • Moreover

  • In addition

  • Along with

  • Together with

  • Alongside

Example: Furthermore, there was no affidavit explaining their absence.

Showing Order or Sequence

Use these words to show the order or steps in your argument:

  • Firstly / Secondly / Thirdly / Finally

  • Next / Then / After that / Subsequently

  • Before / After / During / While

  • Meanwhile / Simultaneously

Example: Subsequently, new guidelines were issued to all employees.

Emphasizing Information

Use these to highlight or stress an important point:

  • Above all

  • Most importantly

  • Especially

  • Particularly

  • Specifically

  • Indeed / In fact / Actually

Example: Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do.

Giving Examples or Evidence

Use these to support your ideas with examples:

  • Such as / Like / Including

  • For example / For instance / To illustrate

  • According to / Based on / In terms of

Example: For instance, lasers could cut cloth into small segments.

Showing Results or Consequences

Use these to explain the effect or outcome of something:

  • As a result

  • Consequently

  • Therefore / Thus

  • For this reason

  • Because of this / That is why

  • So / Then

Example: Because of this, the tobacco industry is required to print health warnings on packets.

Expressing Contrast or Opposition

Use these to show differences or contrasting ideas:

  • But / However

  • Nevertheless / Nonetheless

  • On the other hand / On the contrary / Conversely

  • Although / Even though / Though / Despite / In spite of

Example: Nevertheless, we will do everything.

Explaining Reasons

Use these to explain causes or justifications:

  • Because / Since / As

  • Owing to / Due to / Because of

  • In order to / So as to / So that

Example: I meditate in order to relax.

Summarizing or Concluding

Use these to summarize your ideas or end your writing:

  • In conclusion / To conclude / To sum up

  • In short / In brief / In summary

  • All in all / Overall / On the whole

Example: In summary, do not sell your shares.

3. Common Mistakes When Using Cohesive Devices in IELTS Writing

Mistake 1: Overusing cohesive devices

Incorrect:

Firstly, I would like to say that some people use too many linkers. However, some use a good amount of linkers. In addition, they use them in the right places. For example, they put linkers in the middle of paragraphs. Nonetheless, there are many students who do not follow this strategy.

Correction:

Firstly, I would like to say that some people use too many linkers. They add them at the beginning of every sentence, which is often unnecessary. In contrast, some students use a reasonable number of linkers and place them appropriately within the sentence.

Mistake 2: Using contradictory cohesive devices

Incorrect:

Some politicians have suggested increasing the number of police officers in urban areas as a means of controlling crime. Therefore However, it has been argued that this may create further social problems.

Correction:

Use only one cohesive device that fits the meaning:

Some politicians have suggested increasing the number of police officers in urban areas as a means of controlling crime. However, it has been argued that this may create further social problems.

Mistake 3: Using informal or outdated cohesive devices

Avoid overly casual or outdated expressions in IELTS Writing.

Informal example: Last but not least, the market share of the individual firm should be evaluated.

Correction: Finally, the market share of the individual firm should be evaluated.

Outdated example: To recapitulate, all development rights and values were vested in the state.

Correction: In conclusion, all development rights and values were vested in the state.

4. Practice Exercise: Choose the Correct Cohesive Device

1. …………………. he study harder, he will not win the scholarship.

a. Unless

b. Because

c. If

d. In order that

2. The countryside air is fresh, …………………. It is not polluted.

a. However

b. Whenever

c. Moreover

d. Beside

3. My teacher explained the lesson slowly …………………. I might understand him.

a. and

b. so that

c. if not

d. or

4. …………………. I go to the theater with her, she shall go alone.

a. Because of

b. Because

c. Unless

d. When

5. My mother was sick. …………………. , I had to stay home to take care of her.

a. But

b. However

c. So

d. Therefore

6. She asked me to wait for her; …………………. , she did not come back.

a. but

b. however

c. so

d. therefore

Answer Key:

  1. a

  2. c

  3. b

  4. c

  5. d

  6. b

Master Cohesive Devices in IELTS Writing with IDP

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to use cohesive devices effectively in IELTS Writing. To improve your writing coherence, regularly practice writing on different topics and review your paragraphs to ensure clarity and logical flow. Reading more academic texts and using IDP’s free study resources can also enhance your skills.

In addition to self-study materials, you can register for a free IELTS mock test at IDP to become familiar with the test format and manage your time effectively. At IDP, you have the option to take the IELTS on computer, depending on your study goals and preferences.

When you are ready, register for your IELTS test with IDP today.

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About this Article

Published on 13 May, 2024

About this Author

One Skill Retake - IELTS Australia
Quynh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm kinh nghiệm về lĩnh vực giáo dục