Coherence and cohesion without mechanical linkers
Why "Firstly… Moreover… Furthermore…" can lower your score.
12 minutes · A free lesson from Writing
Coherence is whether your ideas are in a logical order. Cohesion is how the sentences are connected. Linking words help — but used at the start of every sentence, they look mechanical, and examiners notice.
✗ Firstly, fees are high. Moreover, poor students cannot pay. Furthermore, the country loses talent. In addition, this is unfair.
✓ When fees are high, talented students from poorer families often decide not to apply. The country loses skills it needs, and places go to those who can pay rather than those who would do best.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: Which links two sentences without a linking word?
- Starting the sentence with “Moreover”
- Repeating the whole previous sentence
- A reference word, such as “this barrier”
Show the answer
C: A reference word, such as “this barrier” — Reference words such as this, these, such, it and they connect ideas naturally.
Quick check: What is wrong with starting every sentence with “Firstly… Moreover… Furthermore…”?
- It looks mechanical, and examiners notice
- Nothing: more linkers give a higher band
- These words are not allowed
Show the answer
A: It looks mechanical, and examiners notice — Use a linker only where it adds meaning: contrast, consequence, illustration.
Quick check: What is coherence?
- How many linking words you use
- Whether your ideas come in a logical order
- How long your sentences are
Show the answer
B: Whether your ideas come in a logical order — Coherence is the logical order of the ideas. Cohesion is how the sentences are connected.
Quick check: When should you start a new paragraph?
- For each new main idea
- After every two sentences
- Only for the conclusion
Show the answer
A: For each new main idea — One main idea per paragraph.