Coherence and Cohesion in Academic Writing

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.

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 Intro
00:34 Definition
01:22 Ways to achieve cohesion
06:47 Ways to improve coherence
10:02 How IELTS/TOEFL assess coherence and cohesion
14:38 Summary
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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:

You can also view the video on Youku:

The publicly available criteria (band descriptors/rubrics) for IELTS and TOEFL are here:

If you like these videos, consider supporting my work on Patreon at:
You can get early access to videos as well as additional resources for English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Other useful links:

[lizleliz]

This is the best video I've ever found on youtube. Ty :)

[roymarsh]

I can think of no greater compliment than to say than this video is perfectly coherent.

[SphereofTime]

6:49~ coherence
8:18 coherene -outline
10:08~ ielts
14:24 summary

[IELTSCharlie]

This is a fantastic video! It explains these difficult concepts really clearly. Thanks so much for creating it.

[Sams_Uncle]

This is so crisp and to the point! Amazing content!

[lincong]

what a fantastic video! it is clear and practical for non-english language learners to understand how to write in an "english language" way. because of different language families, like the things that chinese language is Sino-Tibetan family of languages whereas english belongs to Indo-European language family, it is hard for chinese students to write logically, but i think this video helps a lot for them to know what to do step by step to check whether they are writing english. hahahaha. thx a million.

[csanghwa]

Thnaks for the well-organized graphics and text. It was helpful to revivify the essentials for the writing lesson!

[rosyvaliente]

I've been looking for this kind of explanation for ages. Now it's clear enough, thanks a lot!!!

[youtubeuser]

Thank you now it's pretty easy to understand even for a non-native English learner

[InahQisfa]

Marvelous..very systematic and clear explanation..

[Gise]

I´ll use this video in my writing composition class, thanks a lot!

[TheBPencil]

This is so exceptional that I am utterly speechless

[sobuzrahman]

Please upload ielts lexical resources as well as Grammar range and accuracy like coherence and cohesion video you do

[kurditalk]

this is brilliant! I am struggling to improve my writing skill. You have helped me a lot. thank you!

[michelleamaya-torres]

Excellent video! Clear, concise and relevant. Thank you.

[MdHasan-kszq]

I have no adjective to give you complement. Just a fantastic video on this topic.🥰

[Daizy]

Wow this video is really amazing!Thank you so much !

[rahmatkurniawan]

I have been looking for this explanation for ages. thanks for bringing this up

[elalaelasariuinjakarta]

Dr Smith, I live in another place in several days each month; the middle of savannah in South East Sulawesi Indonesia. It's difficult for me to have your material. I have to find a signal in the airport before entering savannah. Is it possible for us who live in a remote area having your material?

[mimaben]

You are the best I ever see in explaining, thank you so much my best regarded.