One of the key criteria the IELTS examiner uses to assess your Writing Task 1 (General Training) letter is Coherence and Cohesion — and it accounts for a huge 25% of your total writing score.

But what exactly does that mean in the context of letter writing? Let’s break it down and see how you can improve this part of your writing to boost your band score.

🔍 What is Coherence?

Coherence is all about clarity and logical flow. Your letter should:

• Be easy to follow
• Present ideas in a clear and logical sequence
• Use paragraphs effectively to separate different points or sections

📌 Example:
If you’re writing a complaint letter, you might structure it like this:

1. Introduction – Explain why you’re writing.
2. Body Paragraph 1 – Describe the problem in detail.
3. Body Paragraph 2 – Explain how it has affected you.
4. Conclusion – State what you want done.

This paragraphing helps the reader (and examiner!) follow your message smoothly.

🔗 What is Cohesion?

Cohesion refers to the tools you use to link ideas within and between sentences. In letter writing, that includes:

• Pronoun referencing (e.g., “the package I ordered“, “it arrived late”)
• Linking words and signposts (e.g., however, therefore, furthermore)
• Consistent tone and structure
• Logical connectors (e.g., firstly, in addition, as a result)

📌 Example:
“I am writing to inform you about a recent issue with the washing machine I purchased. It stopped working within three days of installation. Furthermore, the technician you sent did not arrive on time.”

These cohesive devices tie your sentences together and make your letter feel like one complete, flowing piece of communication — not just a list of disconnected thoughts.

✍️ Coherence & Cohesion in Action

Let’s look at a mini sample paragraph from a formal letter:

“I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received at your restaurant last weekend. The food was cold when it arrived, and the waiter seemed uninterested in helping. As a result, my experience was far from enjoyable, and I feel compelled to share my concerns.”

Notice how the ideas are clearly connected, and one point leads naturally into the next. This is a perfect example of both coherence (logical order) and cohesion (smooth linking).

To achieve coherence and cohesion we will use these techniques:-