{"id":1404,"date":"2025-06-25T22:58:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T22:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/?p=1404"},"modified":"2025-06-25T22:58:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T22:58:14","slug":"how-to-make-your-speaking-and-writing-flow-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/how-to-make-your-speaking-and-writing-flow-better\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Speaking and Writing Flow Better \u2014 Using Linkers for Cohesion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many English learners think that mastering English is simply about learning lots of words and applying grammar rules \u2014 first build up vocabulary, then form sentences using correct grammar. While this is certainly an important foundation, it\u2019s not quite enough<\/em> to sound fluent or natural \u2014 especially when aiming for a high IELTS band score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take an example from a typical IELTS Speaking Part 1 question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examiner:<\/strong> \u201cCan you describe the type of accommodation you live in?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candidate\u2019s answer:<\/strong>
\u201cI live in an apartment. I like my apartment. It\u2019s modern. It\u2019s near the city centre. The apartment is close to my school. I can walk to school in 10 minutes. The apartment is small. I want to move to a bigger one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although this answer is grammatically correct and uses clear vocabulary, you can probably sense that it sounds somewhat disjointed or mechanical. What\u2019s missing is cohesion<\/em> \u2014 the element that helps ideas connect and flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Cohesion?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cohesion refers to the way different parts of your speech or writing fit together to create a smooth, logical flow. In simple terms, it\u2019s like the glue that links your ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to build cohesion is by using linking words and phrases<\/strong>, often called linkers<\/em>. These words help guide your listener or reader through your ideas by showing relationships such as cause and effect, contrast, or examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common linkers include:
and, but, because, so, however, for example<\/strong> \u2014 and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections, examiners assess your use of cohesion and coherence as part of the scoring criteria. If your ideas connect logically and are easy to follow, you\u2019re more likely to achieve a higher band score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Linkers Effectively<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Linkers help you organise your ideas in various ways:
Adding extra information
Contrasting ideas
Explaining reasons
Showing cause and effect
Giving examples<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some typical linkers in each category:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Adding:<\/strong> and, also, in addition, moreover<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Contrasting:<\/strong> but, however, although, on the other hand<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Giving reasons:<\/strong> because, since, as<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Showing result:<\/strong> so, therefore, as a result<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Giving examples:<\/strong> for example, for instance, such as<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Linkers in Speaking vs Writing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    How you use linkers can vary depending on the situation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • In spoken English<\/strong> (such as IELTS Speaking Part 1), it\u2019s more natural to use simple and conversational linkers like and, but, so, because<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • In academic writing<\/strong> (such as IELTS Writing Task 2 essays), a wider variety of linkers \u2014 often more formal ones \u2014 is expected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      It\u2019s important to avoid overusing linkers, which can make your speech or writing sound forced. Aim for a natural, balanced use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Improved Example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Let\u2019s return to the earlier candidate\u2019s answer and see how it can be improved with cohesive devices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Original:<\/strong>
      \u201cI live in an apartment. I like my apartment. It\u2019s modern. It\u2019s near the city centre\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Improved with linkers:<\/strong>
      \u201cI live in an apartment, and I really like it because it\u2019s modern and conveniently located in the city centre. It\u2019s also close to my school, so I can walk there in just 10 minutes. However, the apartment is a bit small, which is why I\u2019d like to move to a bigger one in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Notice how the improved version sounds much more natural and connected \u2014 this is what good cohesion can achieve!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How to Practise and Improve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Learning to use linkers effectively takes time and practice. Here are some simple ways to improve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Read and listen regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Expose yourself to well-written texts and natural conversations (articles, podcasts, videos). Pay attention to how linkers are used to join ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Review your writing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      After writing essays, go back and check which linking words you used. Are you using a variety? Are any linkers being repeated too often?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Record your speaking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Practise answering IELTS questions aloud. Record yourself, then listen back. Does your answer flow well? Are you using linkers naturally?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      FAQs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Q1: Do I need to use linkers in every sentence?<\/strong>
      No \u2014 in fact, using a linker in every sentence can sound awkward. Use them where they make sense and help the flow of ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Q2: Are linkers graded in IELTS Speaking and Writing?<\/strong>
      Yes. Cohesion and coherence are part of the scoring criteria for both sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Q3: Should I use formal linkers in IELTS Speaking?<\/strong>
      Not usually. In the Speaking test, especially in Parts 1 and 2, use natural, conversational linkers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Q4: How can I expand my range of linkers?<\/strong>
      Read sample essays and listen to good examples of spoken English. Make note of useful linkers, then practise using them yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Many English learners think that mastering English is simply about learning lots of words and applying grammar rules \u2014 first build up vocabulary, then form sentences using correct grammar. While this is certainly an important foundation, it\u2019s not quite enough to sound fluent or natural \u2014 especially when aiming for a high IELTS band score. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1404"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1429,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1404\/revisions\/1429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kampus-group.com\/ng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}