雅思写作四大评分标准之一是 “连贯与衔接” (Coherence and Cohesion)。
一、连贯与衔接定义
我们先来看八九分数段对于CC这个单项的具体描述：
Band 9
-uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
-skillfully manages paragraphing
Band 8
-sequences information and ideas logically
-manages all aspects of cohesion well
-uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately
虽然8分及以上是写作单项中的“珠穆朗玛峰”，但这并不意味着我们不能从中提取到提高逻辑和衔接的方法。我们从9分描述中“attracts no attention”可知，衔接手段使用的境界是“不动声色”甚至“不见踪影”。这也就是说衔接不一定非要从形式上展现出来，而是在无形之中达到连贯和通顺。
下面我们再来研读更易企及的七分要求：
-logically organizes information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout
-uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately
-presents a clear central topic within each paragraph
七分要求基本上是学生们可以靠近并达到的方向。即：用逻辑的方式组织信息或观点，恰当使用多种衔接手段。换句话说，衔接的基本要求就是“多样性”和“准确性”。要想深入了解写作衔接问题，我们需要明白衔接是什么。衔接的定义多种多样，如：
· “the flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another—tying together old and new information by the use of cohesive devices such as words, phrases, or sentence structures”
· “relates to the micro level of the text, i.e. the words and sentences, and how they join or link together”
· “is the grammatical and lexical linking within a text or sentence that holds a text together and gives it meaning”
综上可知，衔接的实质是 “link information” 或 “connect ideas”。那么衔接手段有哪些呢？衔接手段(cohesive devices)，也称为 ‘linking words, linkers, connectors, discourse markers, transitional words…’，是用来展示段落、句子之间以及句子内部关系的单词或短语。
下面我们通过一个例子来说明衔接的作用和重要性：
Hong Kong is renowned for the deep natural harbor of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s harbor enables ready access by international cargo ships. Hong Kong is also known for the Hong Kong skyline, with a very high density of skyscrapers; Hong Kong boasts the second largest number of skyscraper of any city in the world.
通读本段很容易发现“Hong Kong”这个地名重复出现多次。整个段落简单句居多，行文散乱、缺乏紧凑性且重点不突出。下面我们来对比修改之后的版本：
Hong Kong is renowned for its deep natural harbor which enables ready access by international cargo ships, and its skyline, with a very high density of skyscrapers; the place boasts the second largest number of high rises of any city in the world.
我们不难看出，这个版本更流畅且传达信息更有效。 “and its skyline”直接把香港除天然海港以外第二个特征（天际线）指出。使用代词 “its”, 连词 “and”以及同义替换 “high rises” “the place”等增强了词汇丰富性。“which”引导的定语从句改善了句式复杂性和多样性。
我们再看一个例子：
Thousands of people visit Yosemite National Park each year. They come to experience the natural beauties of the magnificent rock cliffs and to enjoy the great outdoors. These rock cliffs pose a great danger from rockslides.
这个段落从句法上看并没明显问题。但细读发现，这三句话之间的 “consistency”或整段的 “progression” 似乎不太通畅。句陈述一个事实，即：‘Yosemite’国家公园每年有大量游客游览。第二句转到游园目的（体验宏伟的石崖风光、享受户外景象）；第三句突然提到岩崩危险。很显然在第三句语义与前文缺乏恰当的衔接。试改成：However, what they do not realize is that as beautiful as they are, these rock cliffs also pose a great danger from rockslides. 我们需要一定的过渡才能从优点描述转向另一面有关缺点的描写，不然就会显得突兀且重点不突出。
二、衔接手法
常见的衔接手法有三种：逻辑衔接词、语法衔接和词汇衔接。“Logic connector”是用来指明句子之间或句子内部逻辑关系的衔接。
常见的逻辑关系有：
1. similar ideas, 如：Similarly, likewise, meanwhile, also,…
2. contrasting ideas, 如：but, however, nevertheless, although, on the other hand,…
3. explaining reasons and results, 如：as, because, due to; therefore, hence, thus,…
语法衔接种常见方式是指代(referencing)。
在雅思写作中分为：人称代词、指示代词以及“指示代词+总结词”三种情况。此处我们重点讲解第三种“指示代词+总结词”的用法：
1. This + view/argument/opinion 如：
Nowadays, there are lots of advertisements on television or on the streets. Some people think that the advertising boosts the sales of goods and it encourages people to buy things unnecessarily. This argument may be true.
[此处“this argument”指代的是前文对题干观点的转述，即：广告吸引人们购买不必要的产品。作者在最后一句表达的立场是不认同，如果使用“this argument”就避免重复前文的表达‘avoid repetition’也提高了上下句之间的联系。]
2. This + trend/development/process/change 如：
It is quite common these days for young people in many countries to have a break from studying after graduating from high school. This trend is not restricted to rich students who have the money to travel, but is also evident among poorer students who choose to work and become economically independent for a period of time.
3. This + policy/method/strategy 如：
Traditionally, children have begun studying foreign languages at secondary school, but introducing them earlier is recommended by some educationalists. This policy has been adopted by some educational authorities or individual schools, with both positive and negative outcomes.
语法衔接第二种为替换substitution
一般分为名词替换、动词替换和句子替换三种。名词替换多用one替换前面讨论过的名词，而so多用来替换句子。如：
1. one指代前文出现过的名词。
The spread of multinational products can often bring in its wake a loss of jobs, as people turn to buying the new brand, perhaps thinking it more glamorous than the one they are used to.
2. so指代前句。
The strategies outlined above can do much to reverse the destruction that threatens the world’s plants and animals. The aesthetic and practical benefits of doing so are well worth the cost.
最后我们进入词汇衔接手段。简单说来词汇衔接就是用重复的方式达到扣题和逻辑性，再用同义替换或转换表达方式在形式上避免重复。如,
1. 通过词汇重复扣题
... I would argue that it is in fact quite significant for two main reasons.
The first main reason is that the development of online shopping has meant that the market for goods available to the individual has grown exponentially.
Another significant reason is that the buyer can have more control over the process…
2. 通过同义替换避免重复
In my opinion, however, there is much that governments should do to protect the world’s plants and animals.
Governments could promote…by investing in…
Another alternative strategy would be to protect natural habitats by expanding nature reserves.
The most effective solution is to limit the damage at its source.
三、衔接使用误区
一般情况下，衔接使用的常见误区有以下几点：
1. Overuse: being mechanical or repetitive
2. Grammatically faulty: fails to indicate logical relationships
3. Limited range: too few or repeated use
我们看一篇反面案例。选自C6T1参考文：
Body 1
Also, on the television screen, a product may look gorgeous and good quality. As a result of it, people often buy goods without enough consideration. Consumers may not actually need it but they buy goods impulsively soon after they watch the advertising. Furthermore, as many customers buy a particular product due to its advertising campaign, the other people may be affected by the trend, even if they product is not of the real needs of the society.
[主体段伊始不适用 ‘also’, 因为这个词只在提出其他理由或论据时才用。前提是前文已经提出一条论据或理由。‘As a result of it’ 有些用力过猛，使衔接过于密集从显得不必要、冗余。同样地，‘furthermore’此处跟前面所谈“冲动购买”之间关系紧密，仍然在讨论上文的论点，故应改为：“That is to say; In other words”等表达进一步解释说明。]
Body 2:
On the other hand, there are various aspects against these arguments. Moreover, it is people’s choice to make a decision to buy goods. Advertising may be not a cause of customer’s buying habits. Individuals have their own spending habits. If they have got enough disposable income, then the right to make a decision is given to them. No one actually can judge whether goods sold are the real needs of the society or not.
[Moreover显然用得没必要，此处直接省略即可。]
Body 3:
In addition, as there should be a limited amount of disposable income consumers are able to spend, people try to allocate their budgets. They cannot be simply swayed by those advertisements.
[主体最后一段in addition换成ultimately更准确，这样就与body2的理由有了更明确的逻辑关系，也就是用最后也最重要的一点来论证“人们的消费不会只是广告的影响”，因为“大部分人的可支配收入都有限，他们的购买行为更受个人经济状况影响”。]
