Mastering Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: The Complete Letter Writing Guide

In IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter in response to a given situation. While many candidates focus on tone and content, Coherence and Cohesion remains one of the four crucial assessment criteria that can significantly impact your band score. This guide will show you how to create well-structured, logically flowing letters that impress IELTS examiners. You can watch this YouTube video explainer by IELTS Guide Phil.

Whether you’re writing formal, semi-formal, or informal letters, mastering coherence and cohesion will help you achieve your target band score and communicate your message effectively.

Understanding Coherence and Cohesion in Letter Writing

Coherence in Letters

Coherence in letter writing means your ideas are logically organized and easy to follow. A coherent letter:

Has a clear purpose that’s maintained throughout
Presents information in logical sequence
Addresses all bullet points systematically
Flows naturally from introduction to conclusion

Cohesion in Letters

Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical connections that bind your letter together. Cohesive letters use:

Appropriate linking words for the context
Clear pronoun references
Consistent tone throughout
Smooth transitions between ideas

The Three Types of Letters in IELTS GT

Understanding letter types is crucial for applying appropriate coherence and cohesion strategies:

1. Formal Letters

To unknown recipients (companies, authorities, officials)
Professional tone throughout
Structured approach to information presentation

2. Semi-formal Letters

To people you know professionally (colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances)
Polite but slightly more relaxed tone
Balance between formality and friendliness

3. Informal Letters

To friends, family members, close acquaintances
Casual, personal tone
More flexible structure while maintaining logic

Letter Structure for Perfect Coherence

Standard Letter Framework:

1. Salutation (Dear…) 2. Opening Paragraph: State purpose and context 3. Body Paragraph 1: Address first bullet point(s) 4. Body Paragraph 2: Address remaining bullet point(s) 5. Closing Paragraph: Conclude appropriately and mention next steps 6. Sign-off (Yours sincerely/faithfully, Best regards, etc.)

Cohesive Devices for Different Letter Types

Formal Letters

Opening phrases:

I am writing to…
I would like to…
I am writing in response to…
I wish to bring to your attention…

Connecting ideas:

Furthermore, Moreover
In addition to this
However, Nevertheless
As a result, Consequently

Closing phrases:

I look forward to hearing from you
I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter
Please do not hesitate to contact me
Thank you for your time and consideration

Semi-formal Letters

Opening phrases:

I hope this letter finds you well
I am writing to ask for…
I wanted to let you know…
I would be grateful if…

Connecting ideas:

Also, Additionally
On the other hand
What’s more
Besides this

Closing phrases:

I hope to hear from you soon
Please let me know what you think
I would really appreciate your help
Thanks in advance

Informal Letters

Opening phrases:

How are you doing?
Hope you’re well!
Guess what happened!
I’ve got some news…

Connecting ideas:

And another thing
By the way
Oh, and I nearly forgot
Speaking of which

Closing phrases:

Can’t wait to hear from you
Let me know what you think
Hope to see you soon
Take care!

Examples of Good Coherence and Cohesion

Example 1: Formal Complaint Letter

Poor coherence and cohesion: “Dear Sir, I bought a phone. It doesn’t work. I want money back. The screen is broken. I am angry. Please help.”

Good coherence and cohesion: “Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a mobile phone I purchased from your store on March 15th. Unfortunately, the device has several defects that make it unusable.

Firstly, the screen cracked within 24 hours of purchase despite careful handling. Additionally, the battery fails to hold charge for more than two hours, which is far below the advertised 12-hour capacity. Furthermore, the camera produces blurred images regardless of lighting conditions.

Given these circumstances, I would like to request a full refund of £299. Alternatively, I would accept an immediate replacement with a fully functional device. I have enclosed my receipt as well as photographs documenting the defects.

I look forward to your prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this matter.

Yours faithfully, John Smith”

Example 2: Semi-formal Request Letter

Poor coherence and cohesion: “Dear Mr. Johnson, I need help. My project is due soon. I don’t understand the requirements. Can you explain? Also the deadline is tight. I might need extension.”

Good coherence and cohesion: “Dear Mr. Johnson,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to seek your guidance regarding the marketing project that is due next Friday.

While I have made significant progress, I am uncertain about several key requirements. Specifically, I would appreciate clarification on the target audience analysis section and the expected depth of market research. Moreover, I am unsure whether primary or secondary research methods are preferred for this particular assignment.

Given the complexity of these requirements, I would be grateful if we could schedule a brief meeting this week. Alternatively, if you could provide written guidelines, that would be extremely helpful. Should it prove necessary, I would also like to discuss the possibility of a short extension to ensure quality work.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, Sarah Williams”

Example 3: Informal Invitation Letter

Poor coherence and cohesion: “Hi Tom, Party at my house. Next Saturday. Bring food. It starts at 7. Hope you can come. Let me know.”

Good coherence and cohesion: “Hi Tom,

How have you been? I hope work isn’t driving you too crazy!

Anyway, I’m writing because I’m throwing a housewarming party next Saturday (June 10th) and I’d love for you to come! Since you helped me move in, it seems only right that you should be among the first to see the place properly decorated.

The party starts at 7 PM, but feel free to arrive whenever suits you. As for food, I’m doing a potluck-style thing, so if you could bring a dish to share, that would be awesome. Oh, and don’t worry about drinks – I’ve got that covered!

By the way, I’ve invited some people from work as well as a few old friends, so it should be a good mix. I think you’ll really enjoy meeting everyone.

Let me know if you can make it so I can plan accordingly. Can’t wait to catch up properly!

Take care, Mike”

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake 1: Inconsistent Tone

Incorrect mixing formal and informal: “Dear Sir, I’m really pissed off about this situation. Nevertheless, I would be grateful for your assistance.”

Correct formal consistency: “Dear Sir, I am extremely disappointed with this situation. Nevertheless, I would be grateful for your assistance.”

Correct informal consistency: “Hi there, I’m really annoyed about this whole thing. Anyway, I’d appreciate your help.”

Mistake 2: Abrupt Topic Changes

Incorrect: “The accommodation was terrible. I want to learn Spanish. The food was cold.”

Correct: “The accommodation was disappointing. Additionally, the food service was substandard, with most meals served cold. Despite these issues, I remain committed to continuing my language studies and would like to discuss Spanish course options.”

Mistake 3: Unclear References

Incorrect: “I visited your store and bought a laptop. They said it would work perfectly. It doesn’t.” (Who are “they”?)

Correct: “I visited your store and bought a laptop. Your sales assistant assured me it would work perfectly. Unfortunately, the device fails to function properly.”

Mistake 4: Missing Logical Connections

Incorrect: “I can’t attend the meeting. I have a doctor’s appointment. Please reschedule.”

Correct: “Unfortunately, I cannot attend the meeting as I have a doctor’s appointment that day. Therefore, could we please reschedule for another time?”

Mistake 5: Poor Paragraph Organization

Incorrect: Mixing multiple bullet points randomly within paragraphs

Correct: Address each bullet point systematically, grouping related information logically

Comprehensive Dos and Don’ts

✅ DOs

Do maintain consistent tone:

Choose formal, semi-formal, or informal at the start
Maintain that tone throughout the entire letter
Match your cohesive devices to your chosen tone

Do organize logically:

Address bullet points in a sensible order
Group related information together
Use clear paragraph structure

Do use appropriate transitions:

Select linking words that match your letter type
Ensure smooth flow between sentences and paragraphs
Connect ideas explicitly rather than leaving gaps

Do vary your language:

Use different cohesive devices throughout
Avoid repetitive sentence structures
Show range in vocabulary and expressions

Do maintain clear purpose:

Keep your main objective in mind throughout
Ensure every paragraph contributes to your goal
End with appropriate next steps or expectations

❌ DON’Ts

Don’t mix tones inappropriately:

Avoid formal language in informal letters
Don’t use slang in formal correspondence
Maintain consistency throughout

Don’t overuse linking words:

Avoid stuffing sentences with unnecessary connectors
Don’t force inappropriate transitions
Let natural flow guide your choices

Don’t ignore bullet points:

Address all given points in your response
Don’t skip or inadequately cover required information
Organize points logically, not in random order

Don’t create unclear references:

Ensure pronouns have clear antecedents
Avoid ambiguous “this,” “that,” or “these”
Be specific about what you’re referring to

Don’t jump between ideas:

Maintain logical flow throughout each paragraph
Use appropriate transitions between different topics
Keep related information together

Letter-Specific Cohesion Strategies

Complaint Letters

Use cause-and-effect relationships: “Due to… As a result…”
Show progression of problems: “Initially… Subsequently… Finally…”
Connect problems to solutions: “Given these issues… Therefore…”

Request Letters

Build your case logically: “Firstly… Moreover… Most importantly…”
Show necessity: “Since… Because of this… Consequently…”
Link requests to benefits: “This would… As a result…”

Application Letters

Demonstrate qualifications progressively: “Not only… but also…”
Connect experience to requirements: “Having worked… I am therefore…”
Show enthusiasm appropriately: “Furthermore… Additionally…”

Invitation Letters

Build excitement: “I’m delighted to… What’s more…”
Provide necessary details: “The event will… Additionally…”
Encourage response: “I hope… Please let me know…”

Apology Letters

Show understanding: “I realize… Furthermore…”
Accept responsibility: “Not only did I… but I also…”
Offer solutions: “To remedy this… Additionally…”

Advanced Techniques for Higher Bands

For Band 7+:

Use implicit connections between ideas
Vary paragraph lengths appropriately
Employ sophisticated referencing systems
Show natural flow without obvious mechanical linking

For Band 8+:

Achieve seamless transitions that don’t draw attention
Use complex cohesive devices naturally
Demonstrate complete control over tone consistency
Create sophisticated logical progressions

For Band 9:

Make cohesion invisible through skillful management
Show masterful control of all organizational features
Achieve perfect balance between structure and naturalness
Demonstrate native-like flow and connectivity

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Tone Consistency

Rewrite this mixed-tone paragraph appropriately:

“Dear Sir/Madam, I’m writing coz I’m really mad about the service. Your staff were incredibly unprofessional. Nevertheless, I would be grateful if you could sort this out ASAP.”

Exercise 2: Improve Cohesion

Add appropriate cohesive devices to this choppy paragraph:

“I attended your course last month. The content was excellent. The facilities were poor. The classroom was too small. There was no air conditioning. I would like a partial refund.”

Exercise 3: Organize Information

Reorganize these points logically for a complaint letter:

Request for compensation
Description of the problem
When and where the incident occurred
What action you want taken
How the problem affected you

Quick Assessment Checklist

Before submitting your Task 1 letter, verify:

[ ] Have I maintained consistent tone throughout?
[ ] Does my letter have clear opening, body, and closing sections?
[ ] Have I addressed all bullet points logically?
[ ] Do my paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the next?
[ ] Are my cohesive devices appropriate for the letter type?
[ ] Have I used a variety of linking words and phrases?
[ ] Are all pronoun references clear and unambiguous?
[ ] Does each paragraph have a clear central focus?
[ ] Have I avoided overusing simple connectors like “and” or “but”?
[ ] Does my conclusion appropriately wrap up the letter’s purpose?

Letter Templates for Perfect Structure

Formal Letter Template:

Opening: “I am writing to [purpose] regarding [context].” Body 1: “[Firstly/To begin with], [first main point]. [Furthermore/Additionally], [supporting detail].” Body 2: “[Moreover/In addition], [second main point]. [As a result/Consequently], [implication or request].” Closing: “I would appreciate [specific action]. I look forward to [next step].”

Semi-formal Letter Template:

Opening: “I hope you are well. I am writing to [purpose] about [context].” Body 1: “[First point]. [What’s more/Also], [supporting information].” Body 2: “[Additionally/Besides this], [second point]. [Therefore/So], [conclusion or request].” Closing: “I would be grateful for [action]. Please let me know [next step].”

Informal Letter Template:

Opening: “[Greeting]! I’m writing because [reason/context].” Body 1: “[So/Anyway], [first main point]. [And/Plus], [additional detail].” Body 2: “[Oh, and/By the way], [second point]. [That’s why/So], [conclusion].” Closing: “[Request/invitation]. [Hope to hear from you/Can’t wait/Let me know]!”

Final Success Tips

Practice different letter types regularly – Each type has unique coherence and cohesion requirements
Read sample high-scoring letters – Notice how ideas connect and flow naturally
Time your practice – Ensure you can plan, write, and review within 20 minutes
Focus on natural flow – Avoid mechanical use of linking words
Get feedback – Have others read your letters to check clarity and flow

Remember, coherence and cohesion in letter writing is about creating a natural, logical flow that serves your communication purpose. With consistent practice using these strategies, you’ll develop the skills needed to achieve your target IELTS band score.

Start practicing today, and watch your letter writing transform from good to exceptional!

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