Cohesion and coherence are important features of academic writing. This video explains the difference between them and how to achieve good coherence and cohesion, including reference to the IELTS and TOEFL tests. Cohesion relates to how words and sentences 'stick together' and make sense. It is achieved through using five methods: (1) reference words (e.g. he, she, it, them); (2) repeated words/ideas; (3) transition signals (also called cohesive devices); (4) substitution (replacing one word with another); and (5) ellipsis (omitting words).
Coherence relates to the organisation and progression of ideas, which help a text make sense to the reader. You can improve coherence by improving organisation (e.g. by making an outline before writing) and thinking about how to ensure the text makes sense to the reader (e.g. consider audience or get a peer to read through).
Coherence and cohesion are assessed as part of the IELTS and TOEFL tests, and the video examines the publicly available criteria to help you understand what they mean and what is being examined. The video will therefore help you to both improve your academic writing, and perform better in the IELTS or TOEFL tests.
For more information on this topic, see:
The following page on transition signals will also be helpful:
The publicly available criteria (band descriptors/rubrics) for IELTS and TOEFL are here:
(IELTS)
(TOEFL)
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