Cohesion

this is the glue that binds everything together

Once you have made your plan you need to decide how to arrange your ideas within the paragraphs and also how to move from paragraph to paragraph.

(Within the paragraph is a matter of coherence and this involves grammar and vocabulary - look at keeping control for advice.)

A well formed plan will give us the overall structure now we need to balance this.

introduction - keep this short, in an essay of 250 words it need only be 3 sentences maximum. If you have more you've probably started the essay
balance your paragraphs - if you have 3 points in paragraph 1 try to have a similar number in the 2nd paragraph. Also, if you have 2 paragraphs 'for' have 2 'against'
keep similar ideas together - this helps you to develop your ideas clearly and control the language
conclusion - this should mirror your introduction in length and content The reader should not be surprised by your conclusion. NEVER introduce a new idea in your conclusion!!

intro: 2/3 sentences
1st para: point 1, evidence, example, point 2, evidence, point 3 evidence, example
2nd para: point 1, evidence, point 2, evidence, example, point 3 evidence, example
Conclusion: 2/3 sentences

This should give you around 250 words.

Go to list of linking words