Grammar for ielts writing a handbook by David S. Wills Contents

Grammar for IELTS Writing

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63
Coherence and Cohesion
If you have read the marking criteria for IELTS writing, you may have noticed that 
25% of your score comes from “coherence and cohesion.” But what does that ac-
tually mean? 
When writing paragraphs, it is important to maintain 
coherence
. This means 
that the writing should flow logically at a paragraph level. In our plan above, we 
ensured that each point was expanded upon logically. There are no gaps or sud-
den jumps in thought. The reader is led through the text sequentially without any 
surprises. It is not confusing to read, and each fact is explained and or exemplified. 
Cohesion
refers to the linking of ideas at a sentence level – ie the use of 
transitional words and phrases. The most basic are ones like “first,” “next,” and “fi-
nally.” There are various kinds of transition phrases and these can help you explain 
order, importance, or relationship between ideas. These are used more frequently 
in writing than speaking, and more frequently in formal writing than in infor-
mal. A reasonable number of transitional phrases will make your writing appear 
more academic, although don’t go overboard or it sounds unnatural and odd. Try 
to make use of some common linking phrases like “meanwhile,” “however,” and 
“therefore.” Correctly used, these can help you join your ideas together. However, 
pay attention to the rules of punctuation we discussed in the clauses section of 
this book. 
Paragraphing

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64
A Final Note
I hope that this handbook has been helpful for you. It contains the most impor-
tant advice regarding basic grammar for IELTS. Of course, not everything can be 
included in one short book, but it is enough to get you through this exam. For 
more complex explanations of grammatical issues, you should consult more de-
tailed sources. It is also vital that you prepare by practicing regularly. Have Eng-
lish-speaking friends and teachers look at your work, and remember to ask them 
about anything new you have learned. It can be easy to develop mistakes in your 
writing without noticing. 
After finishing this textbook, you should look at other people’s writing more 
critically. Ask yourself why certain words go together, or why a particular struc-
ture has been applied to a piece of writing. In this way, you begin to learn more 
effectively. Handbooks and textbooks can only provide you with the basics; real 
world experience will push you towards excellence. 
I wish you the best of luck with your IELTS exam. Remember to practice often, 
seek help from others, and most importantly – don’t be nervous! Success rewards 
effort, and those who prepare adequately will invariably triumph. 
David S. Wills
, 2018.