The 5 Most Common Coherence Mistakes Killing Your IELTS Score
Reading time: 11 minutes
Here's something most IELTS students don't realize: Coherence and Cohesion accounts for 25% of your Writing score, yet research shows it's the criterion students understand least. Even more striking, studies from IELTS preparation experts reveal that coherence errors—not grammar or vocabulary—are what most often trap students at Band 5.
If your essays feel disjointed, if examiners have noted "lacks overall progression," or if you're stuck despite good grammar, this post will show you exactly what's going wrong and how to fix it.
What Coherence and Cohesion Actually Mean
Before diving into mistakes, let's clarify what examiners are actually looking for. These are two related but distinct concepts:
Coherence refers to the overall clarity and logical flow of your ideas. A coherent essay is easy to understand because arguments are well-organized, each paragraph develops a single idea, and the essay moves smoothly from introduction to conclusion. Think of it as the "big picture" of your essay structure.
Cohesion refers to how sentences and ideas connect through linking words, referencing, and consistent structures. It's the glue that holds your sentences together within and between paragraphs.
The IELTS Band Descriptors make the consequences clear:
- Band 9: Information and ideas sequenced logically; cohesion managed skillfully
- Band 7: Logical organization with clear progression; range of cohesive devices used appropriately
- Band 5: Some organization evident but lack of overall progression; cohesive devices may be repetitive, inaccurate, or mechanical
That word "mechanical" is crucial. It points to the most common mistake students make.
Mistake #1: Overusing Linking Words (The "Moreover" Problem)
This is the number one coherence killer, and nearly every Band 5-6 essay suffers from it.
Many students believe that using a linking word in every sentence will impress the examiner. The logic seems sound: more linking words equals better cohesion, right? Wrong. This approach leads to what examiners call "mechanical use of cohesive devices"—and it caps your score at Band 6 or below.
Here's what mechanical linking looks like:
Firstly, there are social problems for immigrants. To elaborate, it is hard to make friends when you cannot communicate fluently. Moreover, this is because people like to spend time with those they can share thoughts with. Furthermore, language barriers create isolation. Additionally, this affects mental health.
Notice how every sentence starts with a linking word? This doesn't create flow—it creates a choppy, artificial rhythm that's actually harder to read than simple sentences without any connectors.
The fix: Use linking words strategically, not habitually. A well-structured paragraph might have only one or two explicit connectors. The connections between ideas should be implicit through logical development. Compare this improved version:
Immigration creates genuine social challenges. Without fluency in the local language, forming friendships becomes difficult—people naturally gravitate toward those they can communicate with easily. This isolation often affects mental health, creating a cycle that's hard to break.
This paragraph flows better with fewer linking words because the ideas themselves connect logically.
Mistake #2: Missing or Weak Topic Sentences
Every body paragraph needs a clear topic sentence that tells the examiner what the paragraph will discuss. Yet many Band 5 essays dive straight into examples or details without first establishing the main point.
Consider this opening to a body paragraph:
For example, in China, many students study abroad to get better education. They go to universities in America and England. Some of them stay there after graduation.
What's the main idea here? The examiner has to guess. Is it about the benefits of studying abroad? Brain drain? Educational quality? Without a topic sentence, the paragraph lacks direction.
The fix: Always start body paragraphs with a sentence that clearly states your main point. For opinion essays, your topic sentence should present a reason for your position. For discussion essays, it should introduce the view you're about to explain.
Improved version:
One significant advantage of international education is access to specialized programs unavailable domestically. In China, for instance, many students pursue degrees abroad because certain research opportunities simply don't exist at home. While some remain in their host countries after graduation, the majority return with valuable expertise.
Now the examiner immediately understands both the paragraph's focus and its connection to your overall argument.
Mistake #3: Cramming Multiple Ideas Into One Paragraph
Band 5 essays often feature long, chaotic paragraphs that jump between unrelated points. This destroys coherence because readers can't follow your logic.
Here's a typical example from a "discuss both views" essay about technology in education:
Technology helps students learn faster. Computers make lessons interactive and interesting. However, students can become distracted by games and social media. Teachers need training to use technology effectively. In some countries, schools cannot afford computers. Therefore, both views have merit.
This paragraph attempts to cover advantages, disadvantages, teacher training, infrastructure problems, and a conclusion—all in six sentences. No single idea gets proper development.
The fix: The golden rule is one main idea per paragraph. If you find yourself using "However" or "On the other hand" within a body paragraph, that's usually a signal you need to split it into two paragraphs.
Restructured approach:
Paragraph 2: Focus entirely on technology's benefits (interactive learning, personalized pace, access to resources)
Paragraph 3: Focus entirely on the challenges (distraction, infrastructure costs, need for teacher training)
Each idea gets room to breathe, and your essay structure becomes instantly clearer.
Mistake #4: No Logical Progression Within Paragraphs
Even with good topic sentences and single-idea paragraphs, many students fail to develop their ideas in a logical sequence. They state a point, give an example, then jump to something unrelated.
The IELTS band descriptors specifically mention "progression" at higher bands. This means each sentence should build on the previous one, taking the reader on a clear journey from your topic sentence to your supporting evidence and back to your main point.
Weak progression:
Public transport reduces pollution. In London, many people use the Underground. The government should invest in trains. Air quality is important for health.
While all these sentences relate vaguely to transport and environment, they don't connect logically. Each feels like a separate thought.
The fix: Think of paragraph development as a chain where each sentence links to the one before it. Use the PEEL method: Point (topic sentence), Explain (why this matters), Example (specific evidence), Link (connect back to your argument).
Strong progression:
Public transport offers a practical solution to urban air pollution. When commuters choose buses or trains over private cars, vehicle emissions decrease significantly—a single bus can replace forty cars during rush hour. London's congestion charge scheme demonstrated this effectively: after its introduction, central London saw a 12% reduction in traffic-related pollution. Such evidence suggests that investment in public transport infrastructure should be a priority for cities seeking to improve air quality.
Each sentence flows naturally into the next, creating genuine progression.
Mistake #5: Repetitive or Incorrect Referencing
Good cohesion relies partly on referencing—using pronouns and demonstratives (this, that, these, those) to connect ideas without repetition. But many students either avoid referencing entirely (leading to awkward repetition) or use it incorrectly (creating confusion about what "this" or "it" refers to).
Weak referencing (repetitive):
The government should fund public transport. Public transport reduces pollution. Investing in public transport also creates jobs. Therefore, public transport is important.
The repetition of "public transport" makes this painful to read.
Confusing referencing:
Some people believe homework is unnecessary because children are tired after school. This makes teachers unpopular. It affects learning negatively.
What does "This" refer to? Homework? Tiredness? The belief? The reader shouldn't have to guess.
The fix: Use pronouns and demonstratives when the reference is absolutely clear, and use synonyms or paraphrasing for variety. When using "this" or "these," add a clarifying noun.
Improved version:
The government should prioritize public transport investment. Such infrastructure reduces pollution while creating employment opportunities. These dual benefits make the case for funding particularly compelling.
Notice how "such infrastructure" and "these dual benefits" maintain clear connections while avoiding repetition.
How Examiners Actually Score Coherence and Cohesion
Understanding the scoring criteria helps you target your practice effectively. Here's what separates the bands:
Band 5:
- Some organization is evident, but lacks overall progression
- Cohesive devices may be repetitive, inaccurate, or mechanical
- Paragraphing may be inadequate or confusing
Band 6:
- Arranges information coherently with clear overall progression
- Uses cohesive devices effectively, though with some inaccuracy or inappropriate use
- Uses paragraphing, though not always logically
Band 7:
- Logically organizes information and ideas with clear progression throughout
- Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, though with some under/over-use
- Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph
The jump from Band 5 to 6 requires eliminating mechanical linking and establishing clear paragraph structure. The jump from Band 6 to 7 requires natural, flexible cohesion and consistent logical development.
A Simple Coherence Checklist
Before submitting any essay, ask yourself:
Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence? The first sentence should announce what the paragraph discusses.
Does each paragraph focus on one main idea? If you're switching between different points, split the paragraph.
Does each sentence connect to the one before it? Read your paragraph aloud—do the ideas flow naturally?
Have I used linking words strategically rather than mechanically? Less is often more. Remove any connector that doesn't genuinely help the reader.
Are my references clear? Every "this," "it," or "they" should have an obvious antecedent.
The Real Secret to Better Coherence
Here's what IELTS experts consistently emphasize: coherence comes from clear thinking, not from memorizing linking words. If your ideas are well-organized in your mind before you write, they'll appear organized on paper.
Spend the first 5 minutes of your 40-minute essay time planning. Write down your main points and the order you'll present them. Decide what each paragraph will cover before you write a single sentence.
This planning phase is where coherence is really built. The linking words just make explicit what's already implicit in well-organized thinking.
Moving Forward
If you've been stuck at Band 5 or 6, coherence issues are likely a major factor. The good news is that unlike vocabulary or grammar, which take months to improve, coherence can improve quickly once you understand what examiners are looking for.
Start by reviewing your old essays. Circle every linking word. If you find more than two or three per paragraph, you're probably overusing them. Look at your paragraph openings—do they clearly announce what's coming? Check whether each paragraph stays focused on one idea.
With targeted practice on these five common mistakes, many students see improvement within weeks rather than months. Coherence isn't about fancy language—it's about clear thinking expressed clearly on paper.
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