essay writing techniques in ielts

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How to Write an IELTS Essay

In this introductory lesson you will find some guidance on how you should write an  IELTS essay .

There are then more lessons on the following pages for different types of essay and different questions, with lots of tips and strategies for achieving a high score. 

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

Essay Types

It is important to learn about IELTS essays because there are different essay types, and these will require different ways to answer them.

However, as you will see from the guidance on this page, they can all follow the same basic structure.

These are some of the types of IELTS essays you can get in the test: 

• Agree / disagree
• Discuss two opinions
• Advantages & disadvantages
• Causes (reasons) & solutions
• Causes (reasons) & effects
• Problems & solutions

Not every essay will fit one of these patterns, but many do.

You may get some of these tasks mixed up. For example, you could be asked to give your opinion on an issue, and then discuss the advantages or disadvantages of it.

The golden rule is to  ALWAYS read the question very carefully  to see exactly what you are being asked to do.

The second lesson explains more about analysing essay questions. 

How do I Write an IELTS Essay?

In order to answer this, lets first look at a sample question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, these developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive in the future.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

An IELTS essay is structured like any other essay; you just need to make it shorter. There are three key elements:

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

We will look at each of these in turn, using the essay question above as an example.

1) Introduction

You should keep your introduction for the IELTS essay short. Remember you only have 40 minutes to write the essay, and some of this time needs to be spent planning. Therefore, you need to be able to write your introduction fairly quickly so you can start writing your body paragraphs.

You should do just two things:

• State the topic of the essay, using some basic facts (that you may be able to take from the question)
• Say what you are going to write about

Here is an example introduction for the above essay question about IT:

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, I strongly believe that these developments in IT will result in more negative impacts than positive.

As you can see, the first sentence makes sure it refers to the topic (IT) and uses facts about IT taken from the question. Note that these are paraphrased - you must not copy from the rubric!

The second part then clearly sets out the what the essay will be about and confirms the writers opinion (some questions may not ask for your opinion, but this one does). The writer clearly agrees as he/she thinks there will be more negative impacts.

View this lesson for more advice on writing IELTS essay introductions.

2) Body Paragraphs

For an IELTS essay, you should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs - no more, and no less.

For your body paragraph, each paragraph should contain one controlling idea, and have sentences to support this.

Lets look at the first paragraph for the essay about IT. The essay is about the benefits and drawbacks of IT, so these will need to be discussed in separate paragraphs.

Here is the first body paragraph:

On the positive side, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster. This has resulted in numerous benefits for commerce and business as there is no need to wait weeks for letters or take time sending faxes, which was the case in the past. Furthermore, the World Wide Web means that information on every conceivable subject is now available to us. For example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much more via the internet.  These developments have made life far easier and more convenient for many.

The controlling idea in this first paragraph is the 'benefits of IT', and there are two supporting ideas, which are underlined. No drawbacks are discussed as the paragraph would then lose coherence.

Most of the essay will focus on the negative aspects of IT, as the writer says there are more negative effects in the introduction. So the next two paragraphs are about these.

The topic sentence in the next paragraph therefore tells us we are changing the focus to the negative points:

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

The final body paragraph gives the last negative effect:

In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable websites and the spread of computer viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up.

3) Conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences, and you can do the following:

• Re-state what the essay is about (re-write the last sentence of your introduction in different words)
• Give some thoughts about the future

Here is an example:

In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe that these are outweighed by the drawbacks. In the future these will need to be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts on individuals and society.

The Full IELTS Essay

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, I strongly believe that these developments in IT will result in more negative impacts than positive.

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

(290 Words)

The IELTS essay introduction talks in general about the increasing use of IT, thus introducing the topic well. The thesis then clearly sets out the writers opinion.

The following paragraph mentions the present benefits of these developments, but the opening sentence in the third paragraph is a qualifying statement (Nevertheless, not all the effects... ), so the writer can now focus on the negative elements.

The fourth paragraph provides two other negative examples (lack of regulation, viruses). Both paragraphs suggest that these problems will continue in the future.

The essay concludes with a clear opinion that agrees with the statement.

Overall, it is a well-balanced text that mentions the present situation ( ...this has made life.. .) but importantly, also refers to the future of IT (. ..likely to increase..., might get worse. ..).

Now you know the basics of writing an IELTS Essay, you can go on and look at further sample essays or if you prefer, check out the next lessons for Writing Task 2.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies

An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: ✍️ Everything You Need to Know

When helping students prepare for the IELTS test, one of the biggest fears is how to do well in IELTS Writing Task 2. 

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to write an essay in response. Your essay should be in a formal style, at least 250 words in length and you should aim to complete it in under 40 minutes. 

IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know

In this video, I’ll outline exactly what you must do to create an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay that could score a Band 7, 8 or 9.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to IELTS or if you’ve failed the exam before – I’ve broken everything down into a simple 3-step process that anyone can use to improve their scores! Watch the video above to find out what they are.

5 Steps to a Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Understand the question.

You must understand the question before you attempt to answer it. This way, you’ll know exactly what the examiner is looking for. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not answering the question fully, which stops them from getting a score higher than a Band 5.

To analyse the question , you must first identify the question type, then identify the keywords in the question and finally identify the instructions words. This will help you understand exactly what the examiner wants you to do with the question.

2. Plan your answer.

The students who get the highest marks in Writing Task 2 always plan their answers for up to 10 minutes. Planning helps you organise your ideas and structure your essay before you write it, saving you time and helping you produce a clear and coherent essay.

3. Write an introduction.

The introduction should answer the question directly. This tells the examiner that you know what you are doing straight away and helps you write your main body paragraphs.

4. Write the main body paragraphs.

This is where you give the examiner more detail . You do this by stating your main points and supporting these with explanations and relevant examples.

5. Write a conclusion.

In your conclusion , you should provide a summary of what you already said in the rest of your essay.

4 Ways to Improve your Score in IELTS Writing Task 2

Many people know they need to improve their writing skills but don’t know how to do it. Here are 4 ways you can boost your score in Writing Task 2:

1. Understand the exam.

You must first understand what IELTS Writing Task 2 is, what you are expected to do and how to give the examiners what they want. This is the first stage and one that is often overlooked.

There are many online resources, often with conflicting and poor-quality information, so finding a reliable source of information is key.

2. Identify your weak areas.

If your car breaks down, you would try and identify which part caused the problem. If you get sick, your doctor will run tests to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same. We must first identify WHY you are not getting the score you need before we can help you improve.

However, be very careful! You wouldn’t ask the average man on the street for medical advice, so make sure you find someone who knows what they are doing and has the expertise to help you with this.

3. Fix the problems.

Now that we know what the problems are, we must fix them.

If your grammar needs work, fix those issues. If your vocabulary is lacking, work on fixing this issue.

Just as a good doctor can help you fix a medical problem, a good IELTS teacher can help you fix your specific issues.

4. Practice and get feedback.

Practice alone will not help you. It is an essential part of your preparation, but you must also get feedback on your work if you are really going to improve.

You wouldn’t try to teach yourself how to drive without an instructor, would you?

Find someone who will give you accurate and helpful feedback on your work. Otherwise, you will not be able to move to the last stage.

Now that you have understood what you need to do, identified the exact areas you need to work on, improved those areas, and received feedback on your work, you are now ready to get the IELTS Writing Task 2 score you deserve.

Writing Task 2 Structures 

I want to warn you about structures because they are not a magic wand that will help you automatically get a higher score. They WILL help you, but please realise that they are just a small part of your overall score.

These structures provide a sentence-by-sentence template for all the main Task 2 question types, making your job much easier on exam day.

• Task 2 Essay Structures

Essential Writing Task 2 Skills 

No matter how good your English is, you must still learn IELTS writing skills before taking the Writing Task 2 test. These helpful guides will take you through each of these skills step-by-step:

• How to Plan an Essay

Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. This guide will show you how to plan and write a clear essay every time.

• How to Think of Relevant Ideas

This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.

• How to Write a Complex Sentence

Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. They are actually very simple to write and are not complex at all.

• How to Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills for all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in the very first sentence of your essay to help boost your vocabulary score in Writing Task 2.

• How to Write a Supporting Paragraph

Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.

• How to Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the examiner your opinion. Many IELTS Writing Task 2 questions specifically ask for your opinion, and if you don’t write it clearly, you have not answered the question properly. This article shows you how, where and when to give your opinion.

How many words should I write?

Around 250 words? Exactly 250 words or over 250 words? How many words over? How do I know how many words I have? Will I lose marks if I write too many words? This article answers all those questions.

• How to Understand and Analyse Any Question

A critical part of answering any question. This article shows you how to break down any Task 2 question and identify the keywords, micro-keywords and instruction words to help you answer the question effectively.

• How to Write a Great Introduction

The introduction is the first thing the examiner reads; therefore, we must give them a good first impression. I share a very specific sentence-by-sentence structure in this article to help you write introductions quickly and effectively.

• Task 2 Marking Criteria 

Do you know how Task 2 is marked? What is the difference between a Band 5 and a Band 8 answer? This article breaks down the marking criteria and explains it in simple language so you can give the IELTS examiners exactly what they want.

• How to Write a Conclusion

A good conclusion should be a summary of your main points. The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads, and if you can write a good one, you will leave them with a very good impression.

• Using Examples

Each of your supporting paragraphs should have a specific example that supports and illustrates your main point. This is an essential skill to learn if you want to get one of the higher band scores.

• Cohesive Devices

Cohesive devices (sometimes called linking words) are one of the most misunderstood and misused elements of writing. Therefore, you must learn how to use them and when to use them.

• The Danger of Synonyms

While synonyms are very important, they can also really reduce your mark if used incorrectly.

• Paragraphing and Editing

This article will show you how to make your writing as clear and as easy to read as possible. It will also advise you on whether to use a pen or pencil.

• IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 Steps to Success

Read this blog now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.

• IELTS Writing Tips

I have compiled these tips after years of teaching IELTS, and all of them have been approved by IELTS examiners.

• Coherence and Cohesion

This is a video lesson that shows you in practical terms how to improve your coherence and cohesion score.

Writing Task 2 Common Topics 

Knowing the common topics can help you prepare for the test more efficiently. Here are the 10 most common topics over the last few years. Studying hard is great, but don’t forget to study smart.

The article below will show you the top 10 most common IELTS topics.

• Most Common Task 2 Topics 

Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Lessons 

Here are some lessons that I have used when teaching students about IELTS Writing Task 2. I have changed them so that you can easily learn from home. They are very long but contain all the necessary information combined with the skills above.

• Agree or Disagree (Opinion) Lesson

In this lesson, we look at how to tackle an ‘agree or disagree’ question. Many people worry about whether to take one side of the other or discuss both sides. Additionally, people also worry about how to deal with ‘To what extent’ question types. We allay all of these fears in this lesson.

• Discussion Essay Lesson

‘Discuss both views’ questions often confuse people because you are asked to do many things in one essay. As such, it is very important to remember that the question asks you to discuss BOTH views AND give YOUR opinion.

• Problem and Solution Essay Lesson

These questions are much easier than you think. You probably discuss problems and solutions in your day-to-day life all the time. Keep it simple.

• Advantages and Disadvantages Lesson 

There are a couple of different types of advantages and disadvantages questions. This lesson will show you how to answer them.

• Writing Task 2 Exercise with Video

Writing is a skill, and just like any other skill, it is important to practice to improve.

• From Band 6.5 to 8 Demo Lesson

This is my most comprehensive free lesson on IELTS Writing Task 2. We show you how we took one VIP student from Band 6.5 to an amazing 8.

Sample Answers

You must have some good examples to compare your writing and see if you are on the right track. Click the link below for lots of sample answers and over 100 questions.

Task 2 Sample Answers

• Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
• Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay
• Latest Real Task 2 Questions
• Official Sample Test Questions
• Cambridge Sample Questions
• Free Practice Test
• How To Use Task 2 Samples
• Recent Confusing Questions
• IELTS Writing Practice Guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essential Information

• You must write an essay in response to a question.
• You must write 250 words or more.
• Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.
• You should spend around 40 minutes on this part of the test.
• General Training and Academic are essentially the same for Task 2. However, they are different for Task 1.
• There are certain types of questions that you will be asked, for example, opinion, discussion etc. See below for more detail on these.
• Task Achievement (25%)
• Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
• Lexical Resource (25%)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar is one of the four things you will be marked on in the Writing Task 2 test. Finding out what your common grammar mistakes are and then fixing them is a very powerful way to boost your score in this area. Here are some common grammar mistakes I have found after making hundreds of tests.

• Top 10 Grammar Mistakes

For most IELTS students, the problem is not grammar in general. In fact, it is usually just 1-2 problem areas. Therefore, when you fix these main weaknesses, you’ll be able to improve your grammar and your writing score dramatically.

• Using Personal Pronouns

Hint- They aren’t as big of a deal as you think.

See the interactive tool below for the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive about IELTS Writing Task 2: 

IELTS Writing Task 2 FAQs

How can i improve my writing.

You will find all the resources you need on our Writing Task 2 page. Click the link below:

Writing Task 2

We also have two Task 2 courses for those that need to improve their Task 2 skills and strategy. They are both based online and completely free of charge. Learn more about them below:

Task 2 5 Day Challenge

Task 2 Essay Builder

If you need serious help or personalised feedback, you should check out our VIP Course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name here:

How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?

The answer to this question is different for every individual IELTS student, as it depends on a number of factors, including your work ethic, English skills and exam strategy. You'll find a guide to answering this question in this article

If you need serious help with improving your IELTS scores, you should check out our online writing course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name by clicking the link below:

Can you correct my writing?

Please click the link below and it will give you all the information you need about our writing correction service:

Writing Correction Service

Do you have any sample answers?

Yes, you will find them at the link below:

Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?

Probably not.

Read my recent article about IELTS vocabulary here:

5 Things You Need to Know about IELTS Vocabulary

Can I use idioms?

No, you should not write idioms for Task 2.

Can I use personal pronouns?

You should avoid using personal pronouns, but it is fine to use them when giving your personal opinion.

Do you write a conclusion for Task 2?

Yes, it is very difficult to get a good score in Task 2 if you haven't finished your essay with a conclusion. You will find an in-depth lesson on conclusions here:

How to Write an Effective Task 2 Conclusion

How many paragraphs should I write?

Most IELTS task 2 essays follow the same basic four paragraph structure:

• Introduction
• Supporting Paragraph 1
• Supporting Paragraph 2

However, you can find more comprehensive help with structuring your Task 2 essays here:

5 Day Challenge

Do I need to plan my essay?

I would highly recommend planning your essay. A good plan acts like a map that guides you through the essay, ensuring that you give the examiner exactly what they need to award you the score you need. You can find help with planning your essays here: How to Plan an IELTS Essay

You must write at least 250 words in Writing Task 2.

I would suggest that you aim to write around 270-280 words in total. Aiming for 20-30 words more than the required amount makes you more likely to reach the word limit without setting an unrealistic goal.

Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?

Yes, if you don't write the required number of words, you will lose marks in 'Task Achievement' for not answering the question fully. Read more here .

Can I use contractions?

No, should not use contractions when you are writing an academic essay.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to write an essay. Let our IELTS Experts walk you through 8 steps that can help you get a band 8. Take a closer look at the assessment criteria, how to structure your essay and common mistakes to avoid.

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To achieve a band 8 in IELTS  Writing Task 2 , you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria. Let's take a look at these in the table below.  

Using the band descriptors as a guide we are going to go through the 8 steps to get you on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.  

We will start with the task response before moving through all the criteria to show you what an examiner will be looking for in your response.

Step 1: Answer is relevant to the question

Answer what you have been asked in the question. Don’t produce an essay that is close to a topic you have previously prepared. Make sure your examples and ideas are relevant. If you generalise too much and are not specific enough this will affect how your ideas are presented to the examiner.  

Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question  

Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic 

Extend your answer to include a number of ideas that will support the question.  

Don't: 

Include irrelevant information  

Over-generalise  

Produce a memorised essay  

Present ‘recent’ research or statistics related to the topic “At least 41% of all men…”

Step 2: Answer all parts of the question

You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band 6 or higher.  

Let’s look at some example IELTS question prompts and see how many parts are in each, if you need to present your opinion. Remember, it is very important to present a clear position when answering the statement to show that you understand the question being asked and to keep that position clear throughout the essay.

Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it 

Present your opinion and support it throughout the whole essay 

If asked to present both views, make sure each view is presented equally (similar paragraph length) 

Watch for plurals. If you are asked to give ‘advantages’, you must present a minimum of 2  

Watch for ‘and’. You may need to comment on more than one element  

Write more than 250 words.  

Don’t: 

Ignore parts of the question  

Assume that your opinion is clear, use the first person to ensure the examiner knows it’s your opinion ‘I think’  

Tell the examiner what you are going to say and what you have said  

Produce a short essay. 

Step 3: Organise your essay logically, with clear progression using linking phrases

Ideas must be expressed and ordered clearly - starting with an introduction and moving through to a conclusion. 

If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views. You can then come back to your own opinion and then conclude the essay. This is a logical way to present these ideas.  

Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them 

Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers 

Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem)  

Use punctuation to make your writing coherent  

Make sure your ideas are sequenced correctly  

Make sure your ideas are logical and easy to follow  

Use a separate paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion   

Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area. 

Overuse basic linking words like firstly (instead, try using ‘The first reason for/ The primary reason for this’)  

Start every sentence with a linker (Try to put it in the middle of a sentence. E.g. “Some people believe, however, that individuals must also take responsibility for the environment” or “I believe, on the other hand, that individuals do have a responsibility to…”)  

Use numbers, symbols or abbreviations (1, 2, etc, &, +)  

Use headings or subheadings  

Underline words or phrases 

Use one-sentence paragraphs  

Start every sentence with a linking device. 

Step 4: Organise your essays into paragraphs

Use paragraphs to organise your essay into clear parts. Make sure each paragraph contains a clear and developed topic with a minimum of two sentences.  

You can use the acronym “PEEL” when writing your essay:  

Point – introduce your topic or topic sentence 

Example – an example that supports your point 

Explain – why this evidence supports your point 

Link – transition to the next topic or paragraph 

You must use enough paragraphs to clearly show a structured response. This will show that you can organise and present your thoughts and ideas logically.  

Here are some ideas on how many paragraphs you could include in an essay: 

Use paragraphs 

Use linkers between and within your paragraphs 

Leave a space between each paragraph (a line)  

Use a paragraph for each topic  

Use an introduction and a conclusion. 

Don't 

Use single-sentence paragraphs 

Use very long paragraphs that cover a whole page (IELTS on paper)

Step 5: Use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly

You will see in the band descriptors that a band 8 writer skillfully uses uncommon lexical items. When we learn a language, we use common and uncommon terms.  Common terms  are words and phrases we use every day to refer to personal experience and daily habits.  Uncommon terms  are used when we discuss specific topics or when we use idiomatic language (phrasal verbs).  

Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented. For example, adolescent/teenager have close meaning and can be used interchangeably, however, toddler/baby have quite different meanings. 

Collocation is also mentioned in band 8, and it is assumed that you know which words go together, and which words are suitable to use for different topics.  

If you are discussing child crime, you could use the term ‘minor’ as this is a legal term used to describe children under the age of 18.  

If you use phrasal verbs, make sure that you are using the correct preposition as it can change the meaning:  

throw  out/away = discard  

throw up  = vomit/get sick  

Idioms (cultural language) should only be used if you understand them completely and if they fit the topic you are discussing.  

Use precise word choices  

Use language that we use in everyday speech  

Use words that you understand  

Use words and phrases that are related to the topic  

Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally – environmental pollution | major issue | promising future) 

Make spelling mistakes  

Make typos  

Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)  

Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.  

Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’  

Use slang like ‘gonna’  

Use old-fashioned language [the masses| denizens | myopic view | Hitherto]  

Overuse synonyms, one is enough 

Use idioms/clichés  

Use contractions (can’t, doesn’t)

Step 6: Don’t use memorised language, phrases or examples

Don’t use any memorised language, phrases or examples throughout your essay. They are easy for examiners to spot and don’t demonstrate your ability to write fluently.  

Overused phrases, idioms, proverbs and clichés should also be avoided, again, they are often used when speaking. These include phrases like:  

The grass is always greener on the other side  

Love is blind  

Off the top of my head  

Old is gold  

A friend in need is a friend indeed  

Additionally, the following terms should not be used when writing as they are vague and do not address a task appropriately. You should always be using clear language and make appropriate word choices that will express your ideas clearly. 

Step 7: Use a variety of complex sentence structures

At band 8 it is expected that you can use a wide range of structures accurately to present your ideas and opinion. Show the examiner that you can use a wide range of structures and make sure your sentences are error-free. 

It is important to use a mix of complex and simple sentences. But remember, your complex sentences should not be long and complicated.  

Your punctuation needs to be accurate, using capitalisation, commas and full stops correctly.  

The most common errors made can be found below:

Step 8: Checklist

Use the following checklist to make sure that your writing contains all the positive features at a band 8

If you follow these 8 steps, you will be well on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2. 

Is IELTS writing hard?

IELTS writing is not so hard if you have a thorough understanding of the test format and are able to organise your thoughts into grammatically-correct, well-structured sentences. Obviously it requires a fair amount of practice. To make it easy, IDP has launched IELTS Prepare where you can access a range of preparation materials: from practice tests, sample answers, videos and articles, all the way to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.

IELTS writing for beginners

Join our free IDP IELTS webinars that are designed to give you a sense of what to expect during the IELTS Writing test and guide you towards reaching a high band score:

Improve your understanding of the writing test format and questions

Identify key points

Make your answers relevant

Organize your answers in a more coherent manner

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Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing great IELTS essays is essential for success. This guide will give you the tools to craft high-scoring essays. It’ll focus on structuring thoughts, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and expressing ideas with clarity . We’ll also look at essay types and strategies for managing time during the writing exam .

Practice is key . Spend time each day doing mock tests or getting feedback from experienced teachers or professionals. With practice and dedication , you’ll improve your language proficiency and increase your chances of getting a good score. Good luck!

Understanding the IELTS Essay Task

To excel in the IELTS essay task, equip yourself with a solid understanding of its requirements. Dive into the sub-sections that uncover what is expected in this task and the various question types you may encounter. Mastering these topics will pave the way for success in crafting compelling and high-scoring IELTS essays.

What is expected in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task requires applicants to demonstrate their writing abilities in a certain timeframe . It evaluates their capacity to create a coherent and structured piece of composition .

A clear thesis is a must. It should be succinct, conveying the primary thought of the essay . Also, there should be a logical structure including an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The content should be relevant, utilizing suitable examples, evidence, and arguments to back the main idea. Arguments must be coherent, with smooth transitions between paragraphs . Plus, formal language, correct grammar, and accurate syntax must be used.

Moreover, applicants must demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing the topic and giving a balanced argument . Furthermore, they must effectively manage their time to generate a thorough answer within the word limit.

To illustrate the significance of these requirements in real-life situations, let me tell you about Jennifer . She was an aspiring nurse from Brazil taking the IELTS test . At first, she found it hard to handle the essay task. She asked for help from expert tutors who highlighted the relevance of her thesis statement and the logic in organizing her ideas. With effort and dedication, Jennifer got the hang of these skills and eventually achieved her target band score .

The types of questions asked in the IELTS essay task

The IELTS essay task covers multiple types of questions. To comprehend the variety of these questions, let’s look at some examples.

To do well, you need to prepare and practice for each type. Develop strong analytical skills to effectively answer the prompts during the exam.

Pro Tip: Get used to various question types by writing essays on different topics. This will help you adjust and boost your performance.

Descriptive questions

It’s essential to comprehend the IELTS Essay Task. This section focuses on descriptive questions . To illustrate this info effectively, use a table with suitable columns. Unique details enhance our understanding. To sharpen essay writing abilities, certain tips are useful. For instance, practice time management and create a clear structure . These hints are helpful in keeping the writing coherent and providing a logical flow .

Also Read: 10 Must-Follow IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Band Score

Argumentative questions

Queries that need a thorough analysis and a display of multiple perspectives on a given topic are called argumentative questions .

They come in different types, such as:

• Cause and Effect (e.g. What are the consequences of using social media?)
• Pros and Cons (e.g. Should zoos be forbidden?)
• Agree or Disagree (e.g. Is homework essential for students?).

These questions push candidates to think logically, consider evidence, and construct a convincing argument using the correct order and reasoning methods.

As per the British Council, the IELTS essay task assesses the capability of the applicant to articulate an argument in a clear, understandable, and structured manner.

Advantages and disadvantages questions

Advantages and disadvantages questions require a balanced overview of both the positive and negative perspectives. Here is a summary of these questions:

It is important to note that advantages and disadvantages questions offer the opportunity to show understanding by talking about diverse points of view. Nevertheless, you should be careful when replying to these questions, as they can lead to prejudice if not tackled objectively.

Pro Tip: When responding to an advantages and disadvantages question, try to remain balanced by considering both sides of the problem. This will help you create an in-depth reply.

Problem and solution questions

Problem and solution questions demand the test-taker to figure out a problem and suggest successful solutions. Here are 6 tips to help you excel in this IELTS essay type:

• Name the problem precisely: Start by accurately stating the dilemma you will discuss in your essay.
• Examine the causes: Examine the underlying causes of the problem and consider various points of view.
• Propose multiple solutions: Offer multiple possible solutions, taking into account their practicality and efficiency.
• Evaluate each solution: Analyze the pros and cons of each proposed solution.
• Offer supporting evidence: Back your ideas with real-life cases, data, or professional opinions.
• Recommend the best solution: Based on your assessment, pick one solution as the most appropriate and explain why it is superior.

Also, remember to follow these hints when responding to problem and solution questions:

• Think about short-term and long-term effects of applying each solution.
• Prioritize realistic and feasible solutions over idealistic ones.
• Anticipate potential challenges or disagreements to your suggested solutions and provide counterarguments.

By following these steps, you can successfully respond to problem and solution questions in an IELTS essay.

Analyzing the Essay Question

To analyze the essay question effectively in “Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide,” focus on breaking it down, identifying key terms and instructions, and formulating a thesis statement. These sub-sections will provide the solution you need to approach the essay question strategically and produce a well-structured and coherent response.

Breaking down the essay question

Let’s break down an essay question with a table. The table has elements, description, topic, scope, task, and subtasks .

We can use this table to plan and structure our response. It helps us address all aspects of the question while staying clear and coherent.

Here are some tips for breaking down an essay question:

• Read and understand it. Look for keywords that give clues.
• Identify the main topic.
• Find out the scope.
• Analyze the task.
• Break down subtasks.

By following these steps, you can break down the essay question and write your response with clarity. Understanding the elements helps you structure your argument and provide a full analysis.

Identifying key terms and instructions

When analyzing an essay, it’s key to recognize key terms and instructions. This allows us to know what is being asked and how to approach the topic. We can do this by:

• Reading the question thoroughly.
• Looking for important words.
• Finding out the meanings of any unfamiliar terms.
• Understanding the instructions.
• Noting limitations or qualifiers.
• Setting boundaries for what should be included or excluded.

Recognizing these terms and instructions is essential for creating a solid basis for the essay. Also, taking into account language nuances like tone, style, and phrasing can raise the quality of the response.

I recall a time when I missed a keyword while answering a prompt in my high school English class. Despite spending hours on my response, I didn’t explicitly address one aspect mentioned in the instruction. That experience taught me the value of closely examining and understanding each part of an essay question before writing it.

Formulating a thesis statement

Creating a thesis statement requires careful thinking and consideration. The purpose of your essay – whether it is to persuade, inform, or analyze – will determine the type of statement you make. For example, if you aim to persuade, your thesis should plainly state your opinion and provide evidence to back it up.

To create an effective thesis statement, it is important to be specific and precise. Avoid making foggy or wide statements that are unclear. Instead, focus on making an exact statement or argument. This will help guide your essay and give it a clear purpose.

When forming your thesis statement, consider counterarguments. Addressing possible objections strengthens your argument and displays critical thinking abilities. By recognizing differing viewpoints and offering replies, you demonstrate that you have studied and viewed all sides of the situation.

In addition, a great thesis statement should be debatable. It should start a conversation and attract the reader. Avoid mentioning facts that everyone agrees with or making general assertions. Instead, take a stance on an issue that may be questionable or open to interpretation.

In conclusion, creating a firm thesis statement requires careful consideration. Take the time to brainstorm, study different angles, and refine your argument. By doing this, you will create an essay that interests readers and accurately expresses your message.

Planning and Organizing the Essay

To plan and organize your IELTS essay effectively, turn to ‘Planning and Organizing the Essay.’ Create an outline, brain dump ideas, and arrange them logically. These steps will provide a clear structure and help you express your thoughts with coherence and coherence, ensuring high scores on your IELTS essays.

Creating an outline

Thesis Statement: Outlining is a valuable writing technique that has been used since ancient times. It provides a roadmap for essays, helps maintain focus, and allows for coherent and persuasive arguments.

Paragraph 1:

• Introduction to outlining as a writing technique
• Definition of outlining and its purpose
• Explanation of how outlining structures thoughts in an organized way
• Importance of outlining in communicating arguments coherently and persuasively

Paragraph 2:

• Historical perspective on the use of outlining
• Mention of Aristotle and his belief in the effectiveness of outlining
• Reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s use of outlines when writing
• Reinforcement of the timeless importance of outlining

Paragraph 3:

• Consideration of the audience when creating an outline
• Importance of tailoring the structure to the audience’s knowledge level
• Inclusion of explanations or background information as necessary
• Discussion of addressing counterarguments or opposing views in the outline

Conclusion:

• Summary of the benefits and significance of outlining
• Reiteration of its role in structuring thoughts, maintaining focus, and presenting persuasive arguments
• Encouragement for writers to utilize outlining as a valuable tool in their writing process

brain dumping ideas

Brain dumping ideas is jotting down all thoughts about a topic or subject quickly. This way you can express without worrying about structure or organization. To make the most of this technique, consider these four points:

• Dedicate time and space to brainstorming. Find a quiet environment with no distractions.
• Grab pen and paper or open a blank document. Write any ideas that come to mind, even small ones.
• Review what you have written. Look for patterns and connections.
• Organize your thoughts into categories or themes.

Remember, brain dumping is not a final product. It’s a tool for creativity. Allow yourself to explore ideas and uncover details that improve the essay. Here are more suggestions:

• Go beyond the obvious ideas. Think outside the box.
• Use mind mapping and visual aids to represent thoughts.
• Discuss ideas with peers or mentors.
• Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed.

Arranging ideas logically

For illustrating the importance of arranging thoughts logically, let’s use a table. It demonstrates multiple organizational patterns:

Now let’s discuss extra details. A good way to enhance logical organization is using clear topic sentences for each paragraph. These sentences act as signposts. They guide readers through the essay’s main idea without giving away too much info upfront.

In addition, supporting evidence in each paragraph strengthens logical progression. This evidence can be examples, statistics, or quotations from reliable sources. These substantiate your statements.

Lastly, transitioning between paragraphs smoothly creates a coherent flow of thoughts. Using transitional words like “however”, “in contrast”, or “similarly” helps establish connections between ideas. This avoids abrupt changes of topics.

Writing the Introduction

To write a high-scoring IELTS essay, start your introduction with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This section will guide you on the importance of a strong introduction and share techniques on how to engage the reader from the first sentence. Additionally, you’ll learn how to structure the introduction paragraph effectively.

The importance of a strong introduction

Writing a strong introduction is essential. It sets the tone for an article and draws readers in. It acts like a doorway – grabbing the attention of readers and inviting them to explore the content further.

A strong introduction allows readers to quickly grasp the main ideas of an article. It gives an overview of what will be discussed, forming a basis for the article. Without a good introduction, readers may lose interest or have difficulty understanding the purpose of the article.

Furthermore, a well-composed introduction establishes authority and trustworthiness. By showcasing research-backed facts or intriguing insights, an author can show they are knowledgeable on the subject.

In addition, a strong intro evokes emotion in readers by appealing to their curiosity or feelings. It may pose a problem or highlight a fascinating aspect that piques their interest. By making an emotional connection with readers from the start, writers guarantee audience engagement through their piece.

Now let’s look at some unique details about introductions. One effective technique is to grab attention with a shocking fact or stat related to the topic. This not only attracts reader interest but also proves the writer’s knowledge of the subject.

Another technique is to use storytelling elements in introductions. Introducing a relatable anecdote or personal experience that connects with readers’ lives can make the topic more understandable. By adding these personal narratives, writers create empathy and relate to their audience.

Now let’s look at a real example of a powerful introduction – The opening line of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.” His famous line “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” immediately encapsulates both optimism and despair, captivating readers right away. This shows how a strong introduction can set the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Remember, a powerful introduction can make or break an article. By grabbing attention, providing a clear overview, establishing credibility, and making an emotional connection with readers, writers can make sure their work is both interesting and informative. So, take time to perfect your introductions – they are the key to engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

How to grab the reader’s attention

• Start with an intriguing fact or a thought-provoking question. This will get the reader’s attention.
• Introduce the topic and show why it’s important. Keep it concise and focused.
• State your main point or argument. Give the reader a roadmap.

To make your introduction even better, add a story or an emotional connection. This will create an instant bond and keep them hooked.

Remember: Grab their attention from the start, but don’t give away too much info.

Pro Tip: Get feedback on your intro before finalizing it. Revise it as needed.

Structuring the introduction paragraph

Engage your reader with an interesting story or statistic. Then, outline your main points concisely and without jargon. Use transition phrases such as “building upon this idea” to move smoothly from hook to background. Finish off with a clear thesis statement. This will give readers a good understanding of what to expect in the article.

Developing Body Paragraphs

To develop strong body paragraphs in your IELTS essays, focus on crafting clear topic sentences and providing supporting details. Additionally, learn how to effectively present arguments and examples to strengthen your arguments. Finally, understand how to utilize cohesive devices to seamlessly connect ideas and enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Topic sentences and supporting details

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

Topic sentences provide the main idea of a paragraph. To explain them, it’s important to include relevant details.

To illustrate this concept, let’s look at a table. It shows how topic sentences and supporting details work together.

This shows that each topic sentence is followed by supporting details which strengthen the message.

Now let’s delve into the details about topic sentences and supporting details. They should be presented in a logical order. The details should also be relevant and specific to the main idea. By following these principles, writers can effectively convey their points while maintaining coherence.

To improve writing further, consider transitional phrases between supporting details. Also, acknowledge counterarguments within the paragraphs. This helps make it more persuasive without compromising its informative nature.

Providing arguments and examples

Let’s explore how to give strong arguments and examples. Imagine a neat table with data that supports our view. There should be columns of factual numbers to back up the argument. This visual aid is a great way to convince readers.

We also need to include details that haven’t been discussed before. These details add more to our writing, so it looks professional. By looking into lesser-known aspects, we can make our arguments better.

So why wait? Using evidence in your writing will make readers emotional. It will also make them feel like they have to join your perspective. Don’t be scared to use persuasive body paragraphs. Use evidence to make your writing stand out – make it specific to your audience’s needs and interests.

Using cohesive devices to link ideas

Cohesive devices like transitional phrases and linking words can make ideas seamlessly flow. This gives the reader a better understanding of the writer’s thoughts.

A unique way of using them is to introduce examples and supporting evidence in a paragraph. This helps arguments by giving more information that reinforces the main point. “For example” or “specifically” are great phrases for linking ideas and bringing clarity.

Pro Tip: Pick the right word or phrase for the intended meaning. Think about the context of the sentence and choose a cohesive device to accurately express your message.

Crafting the Conclusion

To craft a compelling conclusion in your IELTS essays, summarize the main points, restate the thesis statement, and leave a lasting impression. Summarizing the main points helps reinforce your arguments, restating the thesis statement recaps your stance, and leaving a lasting impression ensures your essay lingers in the reader’s mind.

Summarizing the main points

Crafting a powerful conclusion is essential to leave an impression on readers. Here’s how:

• Highlight each point’s importance & impact.
• Show their connection to form a cohesive narrative.
• Explain how they contribute to the overall message.
• End with a call to action or thought-provoking final remark.

When summarizing main points in an article’s conclusion, aim for clarity and brevity while making sure your words stay with the reader even after they finish reading. Remember that readers’ perception of the article is heavily influenced by the conclusion.

Restating the thesis statement

Have you ever wanted to live a crazier life ? Let’s give it a try! Dance ’till you drop, sing at the top of your lungs, and laugh like there’s no tomorrow . Let loose and have some fun! It’ll be an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Have you ever dreamed of living a wilder life ? Let’s do it! Dance ’til you can’t move, belt out your favorite songs, and laugh with joy . Go for it and have a blast! This will be an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon.

Leaving a lasting impression

It is key to craft a lasting impression. Get to the point, use strong words and visuals. End with a call-to-action.

Customize your message to cater to the needs of your audience. Speak with the right tone and style for engagement.

Winston Churchill is a prime example of leaving a lasting impression. His speeches during World War II inspired nations. Even after his death, his words still have an impact.

To leave a lasting impression, be concise. Employ impactful words. Use visual aids. And make a call-to-action. Understand your audience. Draw inspiration from those who have come before. You can make your mark in communication.

Proofreading and Editing

To ensure high-scoring IELTS essays in the section on proofreading and editing, focus on checking for grammar and spelling errors, improving sentence structure and clarity, and ensuring coherence and cohesion. This process will help refine your writing and make it more polished and effective.

Checking for grammar and spelling errors

Proofreading and editing are essential. Checking for grammar and spelling errors boosts professionalism and increases reader comprehension.

Pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and verb tenses to identify potential grammar mistakes. Check for run-on sentences and fragments.

For spelling errors, read the document through and use spell-check tools. But, they may not detect homophones or typos.

A great technique is to read the text aloud. It can help spot awkward phrasing and spelling mistakes. It’s a good idea to get another set of eyes to review the work too.

By following these tips, and being careful, writers can deliver accurate and high-quality work. Proofreading ensures clear communication and boosts professional credibility.

Improving sentence structure and clarity

To better your sentence structure & clarity, follow these 6 steps!

• Start with a topic sentence – clearly state the main idea.
• Use active voice instead of passive for concise writing.
• Keep sentences short & simple.
• Use transitions to connect ideas.
• Cut out wordiness.
• Revise & proofread.

Plus, vary sentence length, check subject-verb agreement, adjust tone according to context, & read aloud . Practicing these tips will help you improve your sentences.

In 1928, Virginia Woolf wrote “Orlando,” a modernist masterpiece. She disregarded traditional sentence structures & embraced a fluid style. Her success proved breaking free from conventional sentences could lead to creative & captivating writing.

Ensuring coherence and cohesion

Key aspects for ensuring coherence and cohesion:

• Transition words – help make a smooth transition between ideas and paragraphs.
• Pronouns – like ‘it’, ‘he’, ‘she’ refer back to nouns, creating continuity.
• Repetition – of words or phrases reinforces main ideas.
• Synonyms – introduce different words to avoid repetition and stay clear.
• Logical order – so readers can follow thoughts easily.

To further improve your writing:

• Read out loud – awkward sentences and gaps in flow become clear.
• Use sentence variety – simple, compound and complex sentences.
• Take breaks – get fresh perspectives on improvement areas.
• Get feedback – let peers or professionals help with coherence and cohesion.

These suggestions help readers follow ideas without confusion. They create clear connections and a seamless experience.

Practice and Tips for Success

To improve your performance in IELTS essays, utilize the ‘Practice and Tips for Success’ section. Discover effective strategies to ace the exam by engaging in exercises such as practicing with sample essay questions, managing time effectively, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

Practicing with sample essay questions

Analyze the prompt. Read it carefully and identify the key words or phrases that define the topic. Grasping the prompt helps form a focused thesis statement.

Research and gather info. Do thorough research to gather pertinent facts from reliable sources. Make notes and organize them based on arguments or counterarguments.

Plan your essay. Put together an outline or structure before you start writing. This ensures coherence and logical progression of ideas.

Write a draft. Use the notes and outline as a guide and begin writing your essay. Focus on presenting arguments, proving them, and demonstrating analytical skills.

Review and revise. After completing your draft, review it for clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation errors. Make the needed changes to strengthen your essay’s content and flow.

Time management is essential when attempting practice essays to prepare for real exams. Practice with sample essay questions to sharpen your writing, build confidence, and improve future performance.

Notable figures like authors, scholars, and professionals have honed their writing skills by regularly engaging in practice with sample essay questions. This has not only boosted their ability to effectively express thoughts, but also has helped them comprehend different perspectives on multiple topics.

Managing time effectively

Don’t let missed opportunities haunt you! Take control of your time and reap the rewards. To maximize your potential for success, start implementing these techniques now:

• Prioritize tasks. Identify most important ones first . This ensures time is spent on activities that have the greatest impact.
• Set goals. Establish clear goals for each day or week . This provides you with a sense of direction and purpose.
• Create a schedule. Develop a daily or weekly outline that blocks off time for different activities. This helps you allocate time efficiently and prevents procrastination.
• Avoid multitasking. Studies show this decreases productivity. Focus on one task at a time to ensure quality work.

Productivity tools such as task management apps or timers can help. Also, practice self-discipline, and eliminate distractions such as notifications or find a quiet workspace. This enhances focus and concentration. Commit to these strategies consistently and experience benefits like more tasks accomplished within deadlines, and reduced stress levels.

Seeking feedback and improvement

Actively search for feedback from mentors, colleagues, and supervisors . Accept criticism as a chance for progress, not personally. Ask for feedback on a project or performance, to get helpful feedback. Take the time to think about feedback and pick out what you can do to improve. Even with positive feedback, keep searching for ways to develop.

Remember, requesting feedback needs openness and humility . Showing you want to learn is a sign of growth.

Pro Tip: Listen closely to feedback, rather than defending yourself. This will help you understand the point of view and make improvements.

We have reached the end of our step-by-step guide for writing high-scoring IELTS essays . Reflecting on the key points covered, we explored strategies and techniques to improve your essay writing. Understanding the marking criteria, managing time, building strong arguments, structuring essays – these are all necessary tools for success. To craft a strong essay, use relevant examples from academic journals, news outlets, and official reports. Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing perspectives on a topic. Also, ensure that your ideas flow logically, using transition words and phrases. Diverse vocabulary and sentence structures will show off your language proficiency and engage the reader.

It is important to note that practice is key to success in the IELTS exam . Practice planning, drafting, and editing essays within timed conditions to improve your writing. Dedication, practice, and understanding of the strategies discussed in this article will help you to achieve higher scores . According to The British Council (2020) , candidates who implement these techniques are more likely to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What is the key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays? The key to writing high-scoring IELTS essays is to clearly understand the essay question, plan your response, and structure your essay effectively. Additionally, make sure to use a wide range of vocabulary, demonstrate strong grammar skills, and provide evidence and examples to support your ideas.

FAQ 2: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS essays? You can improve your vocabulary for IELTS essays by reading extensively, especially from reputable sources such as newspapers, books, and academic articles. Make a note of unfamiliar words and their meanings, and try to use them in your own writing. Additionally, using vocabulary learning resources such as flashcards or vocabulary apps can be helpful.

FAQ 3: Are there any specific essay structures I should follow? Yes, there are several essay structures you can follow, depending on the type of essay question. The most common structures include the Introduction-Body-Conclusion structure and the Pros and Cons structure. It is important to choose a structure that suits the essay question and helps you present your ideas logically.

FAQ 4: How can I improve my grammar skills for IELTS essays? To improve your grammar skills for IELTS essays, practice writing regularly and seek feedback from native English speakers or qualified English language teachers. You can also use grammar reference books or online resources to learn about specific grammar rules and common errors. Take note of your frequent errors and work on them systematically.

FAQ 5: How long should an IELTS essay be? An IELTS essay should be between 250 and 300 words long. Writing within this word limit ensures that you have enough time to develop your ideas and demonstrate your English language proficiency. It is important to manage your time effectively during the exam to allocate enough time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay.

FAQ 6: How can I practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays? You can practice for writing high-scoring IELTS essays by practicing timed writing tasks using past IELTS essay questions. Familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria, and self-evaluate your essays. Additionally, seek feedback from experienced IELTS instructors or professional essay evaluators to identify areas for improvement and learn effective strategies.

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• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

Essay samples with tips and answers

Sample 1 ("Violence in media") Presenting opinion

Sample 2 ("Working students") Suggesting a solution

Sample 3 ("Death penalty") Pros & cons

Sample 4 ("Loss of bio-diversity") Cause/solution

Sample 5 ("Obesity") Causes and effects

Sample 6 ("Salary vs. job satisfaction") Agree/disagree

Sample 7 ("Sedentary lifestyle") Problem/solution

More IELTS Writing task 2 questions >

IELTS Writing task 2 - Essay

Here you can find all the essential information about IELTS Writing essay .

IELTS Writing task 2 (or IELTS essay ) is the same task for Academic and General IELTS . You will be presented with a specific topic and asked to write an 250-word essay about it. You should normally spend 40 minutes on IELTS Writing task 2.

On this page you will see :

IELTS Writing task 2 question sample

• Types of IELTS essay questions
• How to answer these questions
• More IELTS Writing task 2 questions and answers

You can get a lot of different topics for your IELTS Writing task 2. You can be asked to give your opinion, to state solutions to some problem, to describe advantages and disadvantages of something and so on.

Here's an example of how your IELTS Writing task 2 may look like :

Immigration has a major impact on the society.

What are the main reasons of immigration? To what consequences can it lead?

Write at least 250 words.

You can find the band-9 answer here >

More IELTS Writing task 2 questions & topics >

How to write IELTS Essay?

1) Determine your opinion on the topic

• Giving your opinion
• Agree/disagree
• Suggesting a solution
• Pros and cons

Depending on the topic, decide what is your opinion on it and why. Have a clear position, don't hesitate between two opinions! Then find examples you will use for this task. You should spend a few minutes on planning.

2) Write an answer using the following structure:

Note that this description is very general. To learn more specific answering strategies, look at the different question types .

3) Style your essay

Use various words and structures , linking devices and avoid repetition.

Use some words from academic word list .

Do not use informal style and avoid irrelevant information, you will receive less points for your work.

Also, don't forget to write at least 250 words, writing less will affect your mark negatively. You should aim at 260-280 words. You won’t get more points for a longer essay.

Other things that might affect your mark:

• Fluency : if your handwriting is not illegible for the examiner and he/she can’t read it properly, you are likely to lose points.
• Unoriginal answer : if you learnt a topic by heart and wrote it, you might get a low score for your essay. IELTS examiner assesses only your own thoughts and opinions.
• Limited answer : if you only answer half of the question and don’t expand your opinion, you will not get more than a band score 5 for the task.
• Information about IELTS Writing test
• Top 10 IELTS Writing tips
• Writing vocabulary

The English Bureau

English for IELTS, Business & Advanced

10 TIPS FOR WRITING PERFECT IELTS ESSAYS

22nd August 2019 By Alex Markham 9 Comments

Students often feel that writing near perfect IELTS essays are the most difficult part of the exam.

However, there are several strategies and techniques you can use to help you to to write a great Academic IELTS Task 1 and Task 2 essay.

HOW TO WRITE A PERFECT IELTS ESSAYS

Task 1 requires you to distill and report the information from a graph or table and for Task 2, you are expected to develop and support an opinion based on a question or point of view. And all this in your 2nd or 3rd language.

However, once you understand how to respond to the questions and what the IELTS examiners are looking for, then things become a little more straightforward.

Follow these 10 tips below and you’ll be on your way to a better mark. Maybe even the perfect IELTS essay .

TIP 1: REMEMBER HOW THE IELTS WRITING IS ASSESSED

Each of the two IELTS writing tasks are marked using 4 criteria. Each one of the criteria is worth 25% of the total mark for that task. Only two of the criteria cover grammar and vocabulary so you need to also focus on how you answer and structure your essays.

These are the criteria that the examiner will use with a brief explanation of what you need to do:

Task Response: You need to address every part of the question. You need to demonstrate a clear opinion. Your points need to be developed and supported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Your essay is structured logically. You have used appropriate paraphrasing and synonyms. You have used linking and connecting words and phrases correctly.

Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary and phrases. Good use of less-common vocabulary. No or few spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Uses a wide range of advanced grammar structures. Sentences contain no or few errors.

TIP 2: DON’T START WRITING IMMEDIATELY. THINK AND PLAN

You will have one hour to write two IELTS essays. You should allocate 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2. Use the question paper to make some notes before you start to write the report/essay.

• Allocate 2 to 3 of your 20 minutes of task 1 for planning. Finish after 20 minutes. Do not eat into your Task 2 time.
• Allocate around 4 or 5 minutes of your 40 minutes for Task 2 to planning.
• Allow a minute or 2  at the end of each of the tasks to check for errors.

TIP 3: MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER EXACTLY WHAT THE QUESTION ASKED FOR

Read the question carefully and underline all the information you need to include . Plan your response and only then begin to answer the question  exactly as it asks for.  

For example, if the Task 2 question asks for your opinion on university education, stick to university education. Do not stray into other types of education as the examiner will probably ignore it.

25% of your mark is on Task Achievement. You are required to address every part of the question. Re-read the question to make sure you have answered everything asked for.

For Task 1 , all the information you need to include is in the chart/graph/table/diagram. Identify the key points before you start writing.

It is a good idea to mark them on the question paper. Look for the main trends and comparisons. Do not describe the detail but the key points and main trends. Give a fully developed response.

Do not use the data to give opinions or develop ideas. Report the data as it is presented only.

For Task 2 , you will need to develop your own position and opinions based on the question. You should support this with background information on your own experiences and knowledge.

TIP 4. USE CLEAR PARAGRAPHS AND SPACING

The examiner will be looking at the organisation and structure of your work. Remember, 25% of the marks are for coherence and cohesion.  This means clear and obvious paragraphs and logical sequencing of the information.

Leave white space between each paragraph. The examiner will expect to see clearly separated paragraphs with paragraph one as the introduction and the last paragraph a conclusion or summary.

For Task 1 use three paragraphs as a rule, maybe four. Paragraphs two and three will be the description of the chart/graph/table.

For Task 2 use four paragraphs as a rule but five may at times be required. paragraphs two to four will be your main arguments.

For more details on how to structure and organise your IELTS Task 2 essay click on this link: How to Structure IELTS Writing Task 2

TIP 5: WRITE AT LEAST THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF WORDS ASKED FOR

Task 1 requires a MINIMUM of 150 words. Ideally aim for 170 to 190.

Task 2 requires a MINIMUM of 250 words. Ideally aim for around 270 to 290.

If you don’t write enough words, you could lose up to 25% of your mark. Ensure you don’t write too many words as this is just a waste of your time.

Make sure you know what 150+ and 250+ words looks on the pages. Do not waste your time counting them in the exam.

TIP 6. DO NOT COPY AND PHRASES FROM THE QUESTION

Remember coherence and cohesion. You need to demonstrate an ability to paraphrase and use synonyms.

You will receive no marks for any phrases copied from the question; the examiner will ignore this text. The copied text will be deducted from the word count and may leave you with fewer words than the minimum required meaning you haven’t achieved the task.

TIP 7. USE FORMAL LANGUAGE

You must use formal language for tasks 1 and 2 in the Academic IELTS. However, this does not mean you should try to use overly complex language.

What is means is do not use contractions and try to use Latin-based verbs over phrasal verbs where possible. For example use continue rather than carry on or enter rather than go in . Never use slang or colloquial idioms.

To see a simple technique for making your essay more formal click on this link: Nominalisation – A Simple Technique for Formal Essays

TIP 8. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR GRAMMAR, VOCABULARY, COLLOCATIONS AND SPELLING

Ensure you use a wide range of grammar structures. Practice the use of grammar such as 1st and 2nd conditionals, inversions and perfect tenses, for example, before your exam.

Use sophisticated vocabulary and lexis (common word chunks). You will lose marks for incorrect spelling, punctuation or word order.

Remember to use collocations, for example: a fundamental problem, a complex issue, addressing the problem, experiencing difficulties, significant improvements, gradual decline/increase, extensive research and so on.

TIP 9. SIGNPOST YOUR ESSAYS WITH LINKING WORDS

Remember that you need to demonstrate coherence and cohesion with linking words for a perfect IELTS essay.

Task 1: use linking words such as respectivel y to show a sequence, whereas to show a contrast, furthermore to give more information or since to give a reason.

Finish with a summary paragraph signposted with in summary or overall .

Task 2 : For the introduction paragraph it’s a good idea to signpost your opinion with linking phrases such as: In my opinion…. or I (strongly) believe (that)…

Sequence your essay with firstly, secondly, finally, to begin with, as a consequence, in addition, as a result, however, nonetheles s etc.

Show that the last paragraph is your conclusion. Start it with phrases such as: In conclusion…  or In summary…

TIP 10. REMEMBER THAT THE IELTS IS A LANGUAGE EXAM

The point of the IELTS writing task exercise is to for you to show the examiner your abilities in the English language in grammar, lexis, structure, and task achievement.

You will receive no marks for original ideas or for demonstrating an extensive knowledge of the subject area. Your opinions can be dull and obvious but that is unimportant as long as you have an opinion and are able to support it with good English.

WRITING THE PERFECT IELTS ESSAY

Remember the four areas that the examiner will be marking your essays and you will be able to write an essay much closer to the perfect IELTS essay.

I can correct your IELTS essays for €15 for each essay and provide full explanations and suggestions for writing the perfect IELTS essay.

If you would like to use this service then get in touch with me by clicking on contact me and completing the form.

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28th January 2020 at 17:07

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14th November 2020 at 14:50

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2nd May 2021 at 19:18

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21st May 2021 at 12:13

Very informative blog! Your tips for writing perfect IELTS essays have been very useful for me. I was preparing for IELTS during the last two months. But I was not confident in writing essays. Your blog really helped me. Thank you for sharing this information.To know more visit : https://www.uowdubai.ac.ae/ielts/test-centres-and-dates

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

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IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More

Useful IELTS writing task 1 tips, answers, lessons & videos for success achieving a high score. This page contains all the information and help you need to do well. Learn about the IELTS marking criteria, paragraphing, vocabulary and much more. This page has tips for Academic writing task 1 and GT writing task 1 (see bottom of page).

IELTS Writing Task 1 Information

• IELTS recommend you spend no more than 20 mins on writing task 1. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
• You should write over 150 words.
• IELTS writing task 1 is worth only about 33% of your total writing marks.
• Task Achievement (25%)
• Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammar (25%)
• : IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores 
• Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process). See below for practice charts, model answers, tips etc.
• General Training writing task 1 is a letter only. GT letter writing tips can be found towards the bottom of this page. Click here for Information about GT Writing Differences.  There are tips for letter writing, further down this page.
• All words will be counted and all numbers count as one word. See this page: How Words are Counted
• For more information about IELTS test rules, tips etc, see this page: IELTS  Test 1 FAQ

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Charts

A collection of useful IELTS writing task 1 practice samples to develop your writing at home.

IELTS Charts for Practice : Academic Test Only

• Academic students may get bar charts, tables, line graphs, pie charts, maps and diagrams (processes).

IELTS Letters for Practice : GT Test Only

• GT students will only be given letters for task 1. GT students can find more tips lower down this page.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips & Free Videos

Free IELTS  writing task 1 tips and videos for the right techniques and understanding the test more clearly.

• Essential Tips : How to Prepare for Writing Task 1
• Tips : How Many Words Should you Write?
• Tips: What tense to use in writing task 1?
• Tips : Penalty for Under the Word Count
• Video : How to Describe a Bar Chart with model answer
• Video : Map Language: 1
• Video: Conclusion or Overview Tips
• Video : Vocabulary for Accurate Data
• Video : How many Paragraphs 
• Video : Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips
• Video : Line Graph 4 Main Sentences
• Video : Line Graph How to Write a Complex Sentence

IELTS Bar Chart Video

Learn how to describe a bar chart in IELTS writing task 1. You can find a model answer for this lesson here: Model Answer .

Writing Task 1 Model Answers

IELTS model answers for charts, graphs, diagrams, maps and tables.. Each sample answer is estimated band score 9.

• Diagram Model Answer
• Bar Chart & Pie Charts Model Answer
• Table Model Answer
• Map Model Answer
• Line Graph Model Answer
• Bar Chart Model Answer
• Pie Chart Model Answer
• Bar Chart of Age Groups Model Answer
• Table Future Form Model Answer
• Line Graph & Bar Chart Model Answer
• Practise at Home:  IELTS Sample Practice Charts

IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Lessons

IELTS writing task 1 free practice lessons to help you develop skills and understand about the requirements of task 1 academic. More lessons will be added over time.

• Table & Pie Charts
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• Two Line Graphs: Exercise & Model
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• Bar Chart of Change over Time
• IELTS Line Graph Gap Fill Exercise
• IELTS Diagrams: Practice Exercise
• IELTS Line Graph: Vocabulary List
• IELTS Line Graph: How to Describe Guidelines
• IELTS Line Graph: Exercise & Model
• Task 1 Introduction Paragraph Practice
• IELTS Map: Comparison Exercise
• IELTS Two Charts Practice: Pie Chart & Bar Chart
• IELTS Bar Chart: Practice Exercise
• IELTS Diagram Water Supply
• Grammar Accuracy: Practice & Tips
• IELTS Bar Chart: Introduction & Overview Practice
• IELTS Pie Chart: How to Describe a Pie Chart Step by Step
• IELTS Diagram: Introduction & Overview Practice
• Introduction Paragraph: Common Errors
• IELTS Bar Chart Sample Answer

IELTS General Training Letter

The following links are for IELTS candidates who are preparing for the General Training Writing Test. Your task will be asked to write a letter. You will not be writing a report as in the Academic Test. Use the links below to help you prepare:

10 Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter

Differences between GT & Academic Writing

General training model letters and practice exercises:

• Apology Letter: Model Answers Formal & Informal
• Amendment Letter: Model Answer 2017
• Complaint Letter: Model Answer
• Complaint Letter: Error Correction
• Letter to a Friend: Model Answer
• Invitation Letter: Model Answer

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10 steps to writing high-scoring IELTS essays

Date Published

01 February 2023

This article was first published on IELTS.IDP.com

Whether you take the General Training or Academic IELTS test, the second writing task is writing an essay in response to a problem or argument. Here are 10 easy steps, with lots of tips, to guide you on how to write high-scoring essays.

How is the IELTS essay component marked?

Fairness and accuracy are critically important when marking IELTS writing tasks . Your essay will be marked by at least two experienced IELTS examiners on the following criteria:

• Task response - Whether you answered the question fully and supported your answer well.
• Coherence and cohesion - How well you linked your ideas together.
• Lexical resource - Whether you used a wide range of vocabulary correctly and appropriately.
• Grammatical range and accuracy - How many grammatical structures you used accurately and appropriately.

Each of these criteria is worth 25 percent of your total score for the essay writing task. Both of your writing tasks are used to calculate your overall writing band score.

How to write high-scoring essays in 10 easy steps

Step one: plan your time.

The Writing test (consisting of Writing tasks 1 and 2) takes approximately 60 minutes. Plan to spend around 20 minutes on your first task, and 40 minutes on your essay task. A sample plan for your time might be:

• 5 to 10 minutes reading the essay question and planning your answer
• 15 to 20 minutes writing your first draft
• 10 minutes proofreading and editing your essay

How to write a good introduction

Step two: Read the question

While you may be anxious to jump straight into writing, make sure you take the time to carefully read the essay question. If you misunderstand the question, you risk writing an essay that does not address the issues properly which will lower your score.

Top 10 podcasts to help you improve your English

Step three: Highlight the issues to address

There will be multiple issues that you will need to address in your essay. Addressing each issue individually is key to achieving a high essay score. Highlight each individual issue that you will need to address.

The A to Z of IELTS: E is for Essays

Step four: Outline your response

Create an outline of how you will respond to the issues in your essay. This will serve as your ‘blueprint’ when you write your first draft. As a general rule your essay should have:

• An introduction stating what you will talk about
• Two or three body paragraphs , each addressing one issue or idea
• A conclusion summing up what was discussed in the essay

Make sure you note which idea or issue you will address in each paragraph. Check that the issues you highlighted are all accounted for in your outline.

Step five: Expand on your ideas

Write some notes about any key points or ideas you’d like to include in each paragraph. When you’re writing your first draft, these notes will help to make sure you don’t forget any ideas you want to include.

Mind maps to build your vocabulary resource for IELTS

Step six: Plan how you will connect your ideas

Connecting your ideas clearly and correctly is critical to achieving a high essay score. Try to use a range of linking words to make your essay easy to read. You can use connecting devices and phrases to:

List connected ideas

• ‘Firstly, secondly, thirdly’
• ‘Furthermore’

Provide more information

Compare ideas.

• ‘On the other hand’
• ‘Alternatively’

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to put a linking word in every sentence. Essays will score higher when the writer uses linking words only where necessary and appropriate.

Step seven: Write your first draft

Now that you’ve planned your essay, it’s time to write your first draft. Follow the outline you’ve created and expand on the notes and ideas you included there.

• Avoid informal language unless it is appropriate.
• Avoid spelling and grammatical errors where possible.
• Use a mix of sentence structures such as simple sentences, complex sentences and compound sentences.

How to boost your IELTS Writing score

Step eight: Proofread your essay

When you have completed the first draft of your essay, it’s important to proofread it. Read your essay from start to finish.

You can read it silently, but it may help to read it out loud if you can do so without disturbing others. Make a mental note or mark your paper anywhere that you may need to fix an issue.

How to access FREE official IELTS mock tests

Step nine: Edit your essay

Carefully go through the issues you noted while proofreading. Edit or rewrite these until they look and sound correct. Examples of issues and how to edit them may include:

• The sentence is too long. A sentence is probably too long if you need to take a breath in the middle of reading it. Try splitting this up into smaller sentences.
• A sentence sounds strange when you read it out loud. Try using different words or punctuation until it sounds right. It may need to be connected to another sentence.
• The same word appears many times. Think about any other words you could use instead.

There is more than one main idea in each paragraph. Move any unrelated sentences to the correct paragraph. Each paragraph should address one issue only.

IELTS Writing: How to organise your responses

Step 10: Proofread your essay again

After your edits and before submitting your essay , give it one final proofread. Make sure you have:

• Included all the points you highlighted in step three
• Followed your outline from step four
• Used good connecting words from step six
• Fixed any errors or issues in step nine

IELTS Writing: 8 steps towards a band 8

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IELTS is widely recognised by businesses and universities globally, and is the only English language competency test approved by all four of the following countries:

• New Zealand

With convenient computer and paper based test options, your IELTS test can be completed in a way that you’re most comfortable with. If you’re in a hurry, you could even have your test results back within two to five days!

Also, the IELTS Familiarisation test is designed to give test takers an idea of what to expect on the actual IELTS test. It includes sample questions from different part of the test, such as Listening, Reading, and Writing. Set yourself up for success and explore our extensive library of preparation materials today.

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How To Do IELTS Essay Writing Task 2 General And Academic

Hey there! This is former IELTS examiner Tim James here, and I am going to cover how to do the IELTS Task 2 essay questions. Here's what you need to do:

Analyse the question carefully, underlining keywords and decide what type of essay you need to write. Plan your answer in bullet points. Write an introduction that paraphrases the question. Write two main body paragraphs focused on the questions requirements. Add a conclusion which paraphrases your key points.

Clearly, there are a lot of details you need to know, including, how you should structure your essays depending on what type of question you have, the writing process to go through, how to score a band 7+, what tips to follow, and so much more.

Everything is covered on the links below and you can go to different sections of the page using the menu. All the techniques have been proven to work by the thousands of students I have taught already. Are you ready? Then let’s go!

This page is going to cover:

• Sample IELTS essay questions and answers
• IELTS essay structures
• The IELTS essay writing step by step guide
• How to write an IELTS band 7, 8, or 9 essay
• Useful language for IELTS essays
• IELTS essay tips and tricks
• IELTS essay practice questions
• IELTS essay lessons

In Hurry To Get The Score You Need? Grab My Course - Start Today!

Writing Task 2 Sample Essay Questions And Answers

There are 4-6 different IELTS essay question types depending on how you sort them. Each different question type requires a slightly different essay structure so it is important to know which is which. Let's take a look at each question type and and example answer.

Can you spot what is different about the structures of the different essays?

Opinion Questions

These types of questions usually include words/phrases such as:

• What is your opinion?

• Do you agree or disagree?

• To what extent do you agree of disagree?

• Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Here's an sample question and answer:

The large amount of time and money that is spent on conserving wildlife would be better spent on improving the lives of humans.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In recent years a lot of time and money has been spent on attempting to preserve endangered animals rather than be used to aid human needs. Personally, I disagree with this philosophy and the remainder of this essay shall outline my reasons for this position.

Firstly, the value of a human life is greater than the value of an animal’s life. Every person that has ever been born has had a loving mother, or father who cared deeply about them. Most people also enjoy close relationships with other relatives and friends too. Therefore when any human life is destroyed it impacts upon more than just that one individual.

However,when an animal dies the impact is not the same because animals do not possess the  same level of consciousness as humans. For instance, humans hold funerals and gather to mourn, whereas animals generally continue with their lives as normal.

Furthermore, if a particular species needs help to survive then surely it is only a matter of time before it becomes extinct anyway. The Giant Panda is a great example of an animal that has basically been prevented from becoming extinct by the efforts of humans alone. The panda itself is poorly adapted to life in the world’s current environment and any attempts to preserve this beast will eventually be proved futile. The Chinese government spends over $12 million US dollars per year trying to keep alive a species which will probably eventually die out anyway.

In conclusion, humans lives are of greater importance and species that are dying out should be allowed to do just that. Government around the world need to recognizes the importance of human lives over animal lives.

Teaching Point: Always start with the first sentence of the introduction rephrases the original question. You should try to use different words i.e. synonyms and paraphrases of the original words in the question so that you can show to the examiner your range and level of vocabulary. You can also alter the order of the words to show your control of grammar.

This is the sentence from the question:

Which the writer has changed to:

In recent years a lot of time and money has been spent on attempting to preserve endangered animals rather than be used to aid human needs.

A word of warning though, you won't always be able to get direct synonyms for the words in the questions, and if this is the case then just use the word from the question rather than risking using a word that you are not confident about. It is better to be 100% accurate than to risk making mistakes with words you are not confident in using.

Discussion And Opinion Questions

• Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your opinion

• Discuss both views and give your opinion

• Discuss both sides of the argument and give your opinion

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion

Here's a sample question and answer:

Some people believe that building cities vertically, with tall towers, is better than building cities horizontally.

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Expanding cities upward rather than outwards is thought to be a better option by certain groups of people as a means of expansion. Personally, I agree with this statement and this essay shall discuss both sides of the argument.

Firstly, expanding upwards uses less precious land and should therefore reduce the amount of countryside lost to developers. This is important if we wish to maintain the same natural wild life that we currently enjoy. If we continue to destroy the habitats of wild animals then there is a danger of unforeseen consequences. For example, if the number of foxes is reduced, due to habitat loss, then the number of rabbits may actually increase. This in turn brings further difficulties to farmers who grow crops for a living.

On the other hand, expanding outwards may create traffic issues with more cars on the road trying to access the city centre going backwards and forwards during peak times. Traffic congestion adds greatly to the stresses of living in a city can add a short journey can end up taking much longer than it should do. For instance, a 5 kilometer journey in London, which would normally take 7 minutes, may take up to 40 minutes during rush hour.

In summary, preservation of green spaces and maintaining a moderate level of traffic congestion are key reasons to avoid outward expansion. Governments around the world should formulate plans to balance the needs of all stakeholders in a community when considering expansion of cities.

Teaching Point #1 The examples that you use in your essays do not have to be real! You can actually make them up so long as they sound realistic. The examiner is not going to check if your examples are true or not but make them sound real by making them as specific as possible. This could mean giving exact numbers, or figures, or using real place names.

Teaching point #2 As this essay question asks for your opinion, it is very important to actually give your opinion and also not to change your mind and give a different opinion at the end of the essay. You can see that the writer here gave their opinion in the introduction and in the summary.

Discussion Questions

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

• Discus both sides of the argument

• Discuss both points of view

Consumer goods have become the most important part of people’s lives.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?

People’s lives these days seem to be more concerned with what products they own rather than anything else. This benefits society in many ways but also provides drawbacks too. This essay shall discuss both sides of this emerging trend.

One of the primary advantages of materialism is that it boosts the economy of many countries. As demand has risen for physical goods jobs have been created to try and create products which satisfy these demands. For instance, the Apple factories in China employ hundreds of thousands of workers who would otherwise struggle to find employment. Furthermore, the lives of peoples today are infinitely better due to the development of physical goods. For example, people can play games, order food, perform financial transactions and many more things all using a tiny smart phone which would not have been possible in the past.

The advent of consumerism has bought with it certain downsides though. It seems that traditional values are being eroded as people strive to purchase more and more things. For example, according to a recent survey by the University of Manchester, on average, people spend 45% less time with their grandparents than they did just ten years ago, yet they still find time to spend on average over three hours per day on Facebook. Finally, this desire to have more and more things has increased debt levels in society to dangerous levels. Repayments, interest rates and penalties can put stress on an individual and even cause health problems too.

In conclusion, consumerism brings with it a boost for economies around the world but is also challenging the core values of society too. Only hindsight will reveal whether or not the desire for more and more physical goods is a positive thing for the global community or not.

Teaching Point #1 Note, that the candidate has not given their opinion anywhere in the essay as the questions does not ask for it. Secondly, notice how the writer has developed the first main body paragraph really well by adding a second topic sentence in the form of a further idea supporting the first main point and they have then also explained this too. This will definitely help improve the task achievement band score.

Two Part Questions

Sometimes known as problem-solution questions and direct questions. I group these all together as the essay structure you can use is essentially the same, or at least very similar. Some teachers/websites will break it down further but I think that is overcomplicating things unnecessarily.

• What are the reasons for this? What is a solution?

• What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved?

•  What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?

• Why is...? Should we...?

• Do you think...? Should we...?

• Do you think...? What other factors...?

In many cities more and more people are choosing to live on their own.

What are the reasons behind this? Is it a positive or negative trend?

In recent years, the lives of the inhabitants of large cities has been made more difficult by the number of issues that they routinely face. Personally, I feel governments should urge the public to consider relocating to less crowded towns and the following paragraphs shall outline my reasons for this belief.

The main problem with cities nowadays is the sheer number of people living there which creates a variety of serious issues. Firstly, with millions of people all commuting around a city at similar times, traffic congestion has become particularly bad in some cities. This means that employees have to either leave to go to work earlier or find an alternative means of transportation. Secondly, the rise in population levels of cities means that the amount of rubbish created has become almost intolerable. Governments are struggling to provide services to collect all the rubbish and dispose of it in a hygienic environmentally friendly manner increasing risk of disease and levels of pollution.

Allied to the above, with so much unskilled labour in cities these days, wage levels have plummeted, which means the poorer people in cities earn even less than in the past. This could actually be trapping this particular group of people in poverty, possibly for generations to come. For instance, the city of Detroit has experienced a 27% rise in population levels over the last 5 years alone with the percentage of people living in poverty soaring to a a record 35% of the city’s total population, up from 20% over the same time period.

Overall, unemployment, traffic congestion and waste management are the most significant issues faced by city residents nowadays. Governments should do all that they can to encourage people to migrate away from large cities in order to alleviate these issues for the benefit of all.

Teaching Point #1 As with any two part question, it makes sense to have one body paragraph answering each of the questions. In this example, you can see that the candidate has made a BIG mistake, instead of answering the second question in the second body paragraph, they have lost focus and simply written a second body paragraph related to the first question.

This means that they have only answered half of the question and so they will lose a lot of marks in the task achievement marking band criteria. Do not make the same mistake, always answer both questions!

According to this study , using model IELTS essays is a great way of learning what to do and not to do in an IELTS essays.

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IELTS Essay Structures

So, did you notice the structures being used in those sample essays? I have outlined them below and recommend that you follow these structures.

Please be aware though, there is no perfect structure that will get you a band 9 magically. You need to follow a sensible/logical essay structure like these ones below, and explain your ideas with good spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary to do well in IELTS.

OPINION QUESTIONS

Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Give your opinion
• Say what the essay will do

Main body paragraph 1

• Topic sentence stating main point

Main body paragraph 2

• Summarise topic sentence
• Restate opinion

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Make recommendations

DISCUSSION AND OPINION QUESTIONS

• Topic sentence stating first viewpoint
• Topic sentence stating opposing viewpoint
• Summarise opposing arguments
• Restate your opinion

TWO PART QUESTIONS

• Topic sentence answering first question
• Topic sentence answering second question

Next, we will have a look at what we need to do, step-by-step, in order to write high scoring essays using those structures.

IELTS Essay Step By Step Guide (Video)

The Writing Process from Tim James on Vimeo .

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Ielts essay step by step guide (flow-chart).

The more you practice this process the more confident you will become. Following the same process each time helps to eliminate nerves on exam day, it prevents you from making silly mistakes and means you will produce a well structured essay every time. It is how to do IELTS General and Academic questions in an efficient and time effective way and can possibly help you score an IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9!

• Identify the essay question type. There are several different types of questions and each question type requires a particular type of structure to answer it effectively. Read how to identify question types here .

2. Generate ideas and plan your essay. A simple yet important process that will ensure you answer the main parts of the question and not run out of time. Read more about essay planning and idea generation here .

3. Write the introduction. Most introductions can be done quite simply and quickly in just 3 or 4 sentences, learn how to write introductions here .

4. Write main body paragraphs. Using your essay plan you should be able to write body paragraphs with real purpose. Discover how to write main body paragraphs here .

5. Add your conclusion. A short but important paragraph that summarises your  main ideas. Learn how to write effective conclusions here .

6. Check your essay. An essential part of writing is to check for errors. This is really important in IELTS tests as simple mistakes can effect your band score. Discover how to check your essay efficiently here .

How To Get A Band 7, 8, or 9 In IELTS Essays

In the video below I will explain what the examiners are looking for, their band marking criteria and exactly what you can do to achieve a higher band score. Sound good? You might want to make some notes as you go through this one...

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Useful language for ielts essays.

Now, let's take a look at the types of sentence starters you can use for different IELTS essay type. You can copy these and use them in your exam and your essays will sound just great! these sentence starters are mainly topic sentence starters for body paragraphs.

As a reminder, a topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph and it should really tell the reader what the remainder of the paragraph is about. This is great for essay 'coherence and cohesion' but also for making sure that you directly answer the question asked and get a high 'task achievement' band score too.

ALL DISCUSSION/OPINION TYPE QUESTIONS

Topic sentence starters include:

• Some people believe, one of the main benefits/downsides of…is…
• One commonly held perception is that…is dis/advantageous as it…
• One point of view is that the main benefit/drawback of…is…
• It is said that, one of the major advantages/disadvantages is…
• According to some people, one of the major positives/negative of… is…
• Certain groups of people are of the opinion that a significant advantage/drawback of… is…

And to state the opposing point of view:

• On the other hand, some people believe, one of the main benefits/downsides of…is…
• In contrast to this, is one commonly held perception that…is dis/advantageous as…
• However, another point of view is that the main benefit/drawback of…is…
• In direct contrast to this though, it is said that one of the major advantages is…
• Despite this, according to some people, one of the major positives/negative of… is…
• On the contrary, certain groups of people are of the opinion that a significant advantage/drawback of… is...

Topic sentence starters answering 'how' questions:

• Governments could start by…
• Governments could begin by…
• Firstly, governments could…
• One measure they could take is to…
• A significant first step would be to…
• An important first step would be to…

Topic sentence starters answering 'why' questions:

• Deforestation still continues due to the amount of profit that businesses make from it.
• Deforestation still continues because of the large amount of money generated.
• Deforestation remains a problem as it is so financially lucrative.

Topic sentence starters answering 'should' questions:

• Governments should do more to protect the environment as…
• As part of their duties, governments should do more to protect the environment.
• Governments really ought to aid the preservation of the environment more.

Topic sentence starters explaining 'causes':

• One of the major causes of… is that fact that …
• A major factor that contributes to… is…
• One significant cause of… is…
• One of the main reasons for… is…

Topic sentence starters explaining 'problems':

• One major problem with… is…
• A significant problem with… is…
• One potentially serious problem with…is…
• One problem associated with… is…

Topic sentence starters explaining 'solutions':

• One method of easing this issue could be to…
• One possible solution could be to…
• One way to attempt to solve this could be to…
• In order to solve this problem…(name a person/thing e.g. the government) could…

IELTS Essay Writing Tips And Tricks

Okay people, now I’m going to give you my best possible IELTS writing task 2 essay tips. Take note, some of these are smoking hot! (smoking hot is an idiom which in this case means awesome, but can also mean sexy!). 

So, I guess you could tell the IELTS examiner they look smoking hot and then they might have to give you extra marks for making them feel better and for using an idiom - double win!

Anyway, back to my list of red hot IELTS essay tips:

1. Practise answering the different question types.

This might be annoying and you might not enjoy doing this but it is far better to do it on your own before test day using the correct essay structures I have shown you rather than being lazy doing nothing and then forgetting what structure to follow under the pressure of test day. Remember, only give your opinion if they actually ask for it - in which case you should give it in your introduction and in your conclusion.

2. Practice under timed conditions.

This is essential, on test day you will be nervous and you might have just answered a tricky task 1 question and perhaps have even less than 40 minutes. Therefore, you absolutely must be able to complete this task from beginning to end inside the 40 minutes. The only way to know whether you can do this or not is to time yourself doing this.

If you can’t do this in time then it is probably because you are not planning your answers properly. If you create a bulleted plan as I have show you to do, then all the ‘thinking’ is done after the first few minutes. All you then need to do is focus on the writing accuracy.

You see, the things that slows people down is when they have to keep stopping writing to think of their next idea or sentence, but if you get all of that done first then you can then just get into the ‘flow’ of writing and you will finish it much quicker! 

3. Check your work.

You absolutely must do this. I have seen essays score a band 6 and then I have asked my student to check it again properly and they were able to get it up to a band 7 just with 5 minutes of checking, it really is an easy way to pick up marks. Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar to get rid of any simply mistakes you may have made under the pressure of the test day.

4. Don’t worry if your ideas suck!

(that means if they are not interesting) It really does not matter the examiners are only marking the language you produce not the quality of your ideas so there is no need to try to be funny, or original.

In fact some of the most common sense ideas are often the easiest too explain and help you to write your essay with more time left for checking and with less stress which often helps to improve your band score. My full video course will show you different ways to come up with ideas too.

5. Make up your examples.

That’s right, make em up! You see, examples are important to have because they help you to develop your paragraphs, which is an unimportant part of your task achievement band score, however, there is no way in the world the examiner will know (or care) if you have made up your examples.

So, for anything you write about you could easily write an example starting like this: ‘A recent study from the university of London found that…’, or like this, ‘The New York Times on the 5th of March this year reported that… ’. And then just fill in the blanks to make it support whatever point you are trying to make.

OK, got it? See how easy it is to develop your paragraphs with examples?

6. Add a conclusion

If you follow my writing process you really should not run out of time, however, if you do then always add a conclusion to the essay. This will then complete the structure of the essay and mean you get a better score for your ‘task achievement’ score, because you will have completed the structure of the essay at least.

7. Plan your essay the way I show you.

If you don’t then you risk writing off topic. This often happens when a student sees the topic of the question and then just writes everything they know about that topic, however, if you just slow down and plan your answer first after carefully reading the question then you will produce an essay that is on topic and well organised.

8. Don’t go off topic

Match topic sentences carefully to the questions asked. As you write your topic sentences, check that they are directly answering the question(s) being asked. If you do this then you will be preventing yourself from making the most common mistake of ‘going off topic’ and you will be structuring your paragraphs logically.

9. Do use an academic language style

This means: don’t use ‘I’ unless you are stating your own opinion, don’t use contractions such as can’t/won’t, don’t use superlatives such as, awesome, fantastic, but do use the sentence starters I have given you above, and do choose words that sound more formal.

10. Go for quality over quantity

It is far better to write 250 words of well thought through, well developed, well checked paragraphs rather than 350 words of off topic unorganised work full of errors. Focus on quality and accuracy every time.

Go Through Our Series of Mini IELTS Essay Lessons...

These lessons use real IELTS essay questions to teach you some of the essential essay writing skills and techniques to score a band 7 or higher in your essays. Simply read the example essay and the teaching notes underneath which all give you more insight into how to do IELTS Writing Task 2 General and Academic (IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Guides).

Mini lesson: Stages of writing, word counts and time management

Mini lesson: Introduction writing tips

Mini lesson: When and when to add your opinion

Mini lesson: Writing with flow

Mini lesson: Topic sentences

Mini lesson: How to develop your body paragraphs

Mini lesson: How to add examples

Mini lesson: How to write complex, compound and simple sentences

Mini lesson: What tense to use in your IELTS essay

Mini lessons: Vocabulary and collocations

Mini lesson: IELTS essay ideas

Mini lesson: How to write conclusions

Mini lesson: How to write conclusions 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Questions

Recent IELTS Essay questions  as reported by recent test takers from around the world. Here we have compiled recent questions reported to us, and other reliable sources, that appeared in recent tests.

IELTS Essay questions by topic area  This is where you want to go if you want to practice certain topics as there are separate pages for each topic. Questions are also categorised by type i.e. discussion, opinion, and situation question types.

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IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)

Discover how to describe all types of visual data that you may see in this part of the test.

IELTS Listening

Sshhhhh! Listen closely, here are some valuable tips, techniques and strategies for maximising your listening band score.

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General)

Discover how to write in the correct format and tone for this part of the test.

IELTS Speaking

Learn 'what' to say and 'how' to say it in each part of the test to impress the examiner.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Discover the 5 step process for writing band 7 essays in 40 minutes or less.

IELTS Reading

Here we reveal the best method for completing each part of the reading test.

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How to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay? (5 Tips)

In IELTS Writing Task 2 , you need to write an essay on a given topic. Writing an essay may often seem a difficult and also daunting task. But don't worry, it will become a lot easier and make better sense as you follow along.

We advise you to take time to read the 5 Tips on how you can improve your writing skills for IELTS and achieve a high score.

Prepare smarter, not harder, and writing tasks won't stop you from getting the band score you deserve!

Keep your IELTS Essay structure simple

There is a ton of information available online about different types of IELTS essays, and if you are a self-learner, it is easy to get confused. Especially, when the information is often conflicting as well. Therefore, we recommend that you do not worry about identifying what type of essay you must write or what structure you need to follow. It is all redundant and unnecessary.

Although there are 5 Different Types of IELTS Essays , learning about suggested essay structures one by one just overburdens you and at the end of the day, there is no actual benefit. All that matters is to answer all the questions and stick to that. It is as simple as that! You just need to address all parts of the task . That's it!

Take time to read the essay question and answer it completely and directly. There is no need to overthink whether the essay is this or that type and which structure you need to use. You will do yourself a favour when you skip learning about "the right" essay structures to follow as there are none found. Instead, trust yourself and listen to your gut.

Plan your IELTS essay before you write

Think and plan before you write! It is necessary to brainstorm for at least 2-5 minutes. Write down all the keywords and phrases that come to your mind, and then organise your ideas by making a simple plan for the IELTS essay structure. The more you practice essay writing, the faster you will become at brainstorming.

It is crucial to keep in mind what the task prompt asks you to do. If you fail to address all parts of the writing task prompt, achieving a high score will become unlikely. So, by making the plan make sure you answer all the questions!

For example, if you need to discuss both views, then make sure that you have one body paragraph for one view, another for another view and so forth.

Stick to the plan and use the words, phrases and ideas that have come to your mind while brainstorming.

Show good grammar and vocabulary

To write a high-level IELTS essay and attain a high score, you need to demonstrate that you can use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary . For example, use different tenses, conditionals, passive voice, wide vocabulary and avoid repeating the same words.

You need to find a good balance between showing your writing skills and feeling comfortable.

Using good language in your essay does not mean that you know some sophisticated sentences by heart that you are desperately trying to use in your essay. It is a bad practice, and we recommend that you should avoid doing that.

If your overall usage of language is consistent throughout the essay and then, all of a sudden, you use a very complex sentence, it looks unnatural. Furthermore, IELTS examiners consider this to be a learned expression and, as a result, it pushes your score downwards.

Write coherently and use cohesive words

Writing coherently will surely give your score an extra boost. Actually, "Coherence and Cohesion" is one of the four band criteria your writing will be evaluated on. Therefore, it is super useful to learn linking words along with IELTS essay vocabulary . You can use these resources all the time while studying.

After writing about 3 IELTS essays, many good phrases and linking words will glue to you. You will find out your favourite ways to start and end the essays, state viewpoints and add arguments.

As a result, the essay becomes easier to write, and you will be a lot quicker too. But do not memorise long phrases or sentences ; these samples are all listed just for inspiration. However, learning words for different topics is highly recommended! It will give you ideas and the ability to express yourself.

Get feedback on your IELTS essay and practice

Finally, it is important to get feedback on each practice essay you write. The key to improving your IELTS essay writing is to get your writing task reviewed by a qualified IELTS professional , so you can learn from feedback and improve your writing skills.

Writing evaluation gives you an idea of what level you are at and what band score your writing would likely get. You will learn about your weak areas, and you will receive tips and suggestions on how to improve them.

If you struggle and want to improve your writing skills, let IELTS experts help you . The last thing you want to happen is to discover your weaknesses on the exam day, especially if the result is unsatisfying for you. After all, taking the exam gives you nothing but a plain band score that carries absolutely no weight regarding feedback: you will not get to know your mistakes and why you failed.

So, instead of risking failure, consider using the IELTS writing correction service to be better prepared, achieve your desired result on the first try and ultimately become better at writing.

"I have 7+ years of IELTS teaching experience . I will correct your grammar and give suggestions for more appropriate word use. I will give you tips on how to answer the question in the way the IELTS examiners expect." — Claudia, IELTS teacher from the UK

MORE ESSAY RESOURCES

IELTS Essay Writing

5 Types of IELTS Essays

How to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay?

IELTS Discussion Essay Sample

IELTS Agree / Disagree Essay Sample

IELTS Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Sample

IELTS Problem / Solution Essay Sample

IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample

Vocabulary for IELTS Essay

Linking words for IELTS

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IELTS Writing

Ielts writing section: 60 minutes, ielts academic test writing section.

• Task 1 : Test taker will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in at least 150 words. Spend about 20 minutes on task 1. Write in a formal style.
• Task 2 : Test taker will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem in at least 250 words. Spend about 40 minutes on task 2. Write in a formal style.

IELTS General Training test writing section

• Task 1 : Test taker will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation in at least 150 words. The letter can be in personal, semi-formal or formal style. Spend about 20 minutes on task 1.
• Task 2 : Test taker will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem in at least 250 words. The essay can be personal in style. Spend about 40 minutes on task 2 and be informed that  Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Tips and Tricks for IELTS Writing section preparation

IELTS Academic Task 1 : Use the below templates for Task 1. This will greatly assist you during your preparation. Use the template, fill in the words and try to personalise the template for your own use in the exam.

Divide your 150 words into ten sentences.

The basic structure would be something like this.

Single data source:

Paragraph 1 – Broad overview

Sentence 1: Data source Description

Sentence 2: Broad Details

Paragraph 2 – Analysing data source

Sentence 3: Major detail about data source

Sentence 4: Minor detail 1 about data source

Sentence 5: Minor detail 2 about data source

Sentence 6: Conclusion

Double data source:

Paragraph 1 – Broad overview

Sentence 1: Data sources descriptions and their broad details

Sentence 2: Explain relationship between the two sources

Paragraph 2 – Analysing data source 1

Sentence 5: Minor detail 2 about data source (repeat if required)

Paragraph 3 – Analysing data source 2

Sentence 7: Major detail about data source

Sentence 8: Minor detail 1 about data source

Sentence 9: Minor detail 2 about data source

Sentence 10: Conclusion

The below video from IELTS Ryan explains this structure with an example.

Use the below content to start your sentences .

Sentence 1 : The ………. Illustrate/depict/explain/show ………

Sentence 2 : The overall trend created between the two sources ………. / The relationship between the two sources appears to show………. / The first ………. While the second ………. / The two sources illustrate how /why /what ……….

Sentence 3 : According to the ………. / Looking at the ………. It is clear that ………. / The………. shows a clear………. / It appears the ………. / The ………. outlines a clear ………. trend.

Sentence 4 : Half of it pertains to ………. / This figure falls/jumpes/declines slightly to/ plateaus at/ grows modestly to/ spikes at/ dips to/ swells to/ shrinks to/ bottoms at/

Sentence 5,6,8,9 : Use sentence 4 content

Sentence 7,10 : Compare to first value in the graph overall trend.

The below video from IELTS Ryan explains this content with an example.

IELTS Academic Task 1 Writing Model for TABLE

IELTS Academic Task 1 Writing Model for GRAPH

IELTS Academic Task 1 Writing Model for MULTIPLE DATA SOURCES

IELTS Academic Task 2 : Use the below templates for Task 2. This will greatly assist you during your preparation. Use the template, fill in the words and try to personalise the template for your own use in the exam.

Divide your 200 words into 4 paragraphs.

IELTS Argument Essay structure :

Paragraph 1 : Introduction

Paragraph 2 : Supporting details

Paragraph 3 : More support details

Paragraph 4 : Conclusion

Let us see these paragraphs in detail.

Introduction paragraph :

• Generally in many parts of the world,….
• According to a recent survey conducted by Oxford University,….
• Many people these days consider….
• This is clearly more obvious….
• It can be clearly seen….
• There are so many reasons for this….
• According to my opinion,….
• I agree/disagree with the….
• I argue that this may/ may not be true that….
• In the following paragraphs, I discuss these views and present my own.
• The following paragraphs will support this by looking at ….. and analysing….
• This essay will throw light on these ……

Supporting details :

• For example/ for instance….
• It is evident from the example….
• This example makes it obvious that ….
• When looking at this example, it is clear that ….
• Obviously, this example provides a valid evidence …..
• Therefore, it can be concluded that …. (rephrase your thesis)
• Thus, the connection between ….. and ….. is substantiated.

More supporting details :

• Secondly, ….
• Furthermore, ….
• In addition to this, ….
• However, this is not the case for ….
• On the other hand, ….

Conclusion paragraph :

• Finally, I conclude that….
• After analyzing the above details, it can be concluded that ….
• The above analysis clearly shows that ….
• Following the above detailed analysis, ….
• Because of the above mentioned reasons, I feel that ….
• By taking the above reasons into consideration, I state that …..
• Based on the above mentioned points, I can say that ….
• I recommend that …. should….
• I hope that….

By following the above templates you can score 7+ in IELTS Academic Writing section.

IELTS General Training Task 1 :

Dear Sir/Madam, (friendly) or To the manager/owner of….. (Professionally) or To whom it may concern ( if you don’t know to whom you are writing).

Paragraph 1 : Purpose of the letter (2 sentences)

Paragraph 2 : Explanation of the situation. Give details (4 sentences)

Paragraph 3 : What you expect to happen: Request (4 sentences)

Let us see the paragraphs in detail.

Purpose of the letter :

• I hope you are doing well.
• I hope you have been keeping well.
• I hope this letter finds you in good health.
• I am writing to you regarding ….
• Allow me to describe the situation to you.
• Allow me to recreate the situation for you

Explanation of the situation :

• I am excited to inform you that…
• Unfortunately, I feel sad to inform you that…
• I am hoping you could share some insights as to whether I should…
• Develop more sentences to describe the situation. Write 3 more sentences to explain the situation.

What you expect to happen or Requesting something to do :

• I would be really grateful if you could look into …..(state what you want to happen)
• I expect immediate action to be taken on your side to resolve this issue (if you are angry, complaining or disappointed)
• Develop more sentences to explain what you expect to happen. Write 3 more sentences.

The examiner will see a lot of yours truly, yours sincerely etc., In order to showcase your language skills. Try the below sentences.

• Looking forward to hearing back from you,
• Hoping to hear back from you soon,
• Looking forward to your reply soon,
• Expecting prompt action, (if you are angry, complaining or disappointed)

By following the above format you can easily score 7+ in IELTS Writing section.

Watch the below videos to understand different models of letters

2 Replies to “IELTS Writing”

He’ll sir…How to get band score in writing task. You have temples for graph

Hi.. for which graph you need the templates?

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Essay Writing Tips

by Manjusha Nambiar · March 21, 2020

Many students find the prospect of writing an essay unnecessarily daunting. It doesn’t have to be because essay writing isn’t all that difficult. The truth is that you can start writing your essay even before your ideas are fully formed.

The essay writing process has mainly three stages – brainstorming, drafting and revising. During brainstorming you explore your thoughts and find the ideas you want to write out. The next step is to work out the best way to express them. Of course, on an examination like the TOEFL or IELTS you can’t spend hours in brainstorming. You will get only around 40 minutes to write your IELTS essay. You get even less time to write your TOEFL essay. That means, every second is invaluable.

Many students can write a good essay if they have time on their side. But on competitive examinations like TOEFL and IELTS, time management is very important. Of course you can’t write an outstanding essay in 30 or 40 minutes. That isn’t necessary either. A decent essay with few grammatical mistakes should get you a band score of 7 or 8.

The Basic Steps of the Writing Process

There are different types of essays. An argumentative essay requires you to support a particular idea or point of view. Sometimes you will be asked to analyze the two sides of a problem. No matter what the type of essay you are required to write, the basic steps of the essay writing process are the same.

On the IELTS or TOEFL test, you cannot choose your topic. You have to write on the topic provided for you. Before you start writing think about the purpose and nature of your essay. Understanding them can help you develop the necessary content for your essay and then structure them accordingly.

Create an outline

Free writing is a great way to get started. At this stage, don’t worry about your grammar or structure. Take out a blank piece of paper and jot down all ideas that come to your mind. Just make sure that you don’t spend too much time on this process. The purpose of this process is to create an outline for your essay.

Once you have prepared the outline, you can start writing your essay. Start with the main idea. Do not repeat the question in your introduction. If you have to, try to paraphrase it. Remember that your introduction is the most important part of your essay. So spend some time and make it as compelling as possible. In the body paragraphs of your essay, you have to further develop the main idea introduced in the opening paragraph.

The introduction is the first part of your essay, but if you feel that you are more capable of handling the body paragraphs first, start with them. While writing the first draft, do not put too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect.

Revise the draft

Once you have prepared the draft, revise it. During this stage, you have to pay careful attention to your grammar, spelling and choice of words. Your choice of words is an indication of your range of vocabulary. As far as possible, choose exact words instead of more general ones. Of course, it is possible only when you have a vast vocabulary.

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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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11 Simple Tips To Ace IELTS Essay Writing Task

When asked to IELTS aspirants,

"Which is the most difficult task out of the two writing tasks asked in IELTS Academic and General Training Writing test?"

Most of them answered - IELTS Essay Writing Task

Though Task 1 (Letter writing for IELTS General Training & Report writing for IELTS Academic) is easy by no means, many aspirants find Task 2 (Essay Writing) of IELTS Writing module more challenging.

In task 2, you are supposed to answer a particular question. To be more specific, IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay on a given topic in at least 250 words. But, not to forget - the task is time bound. You are given 40 minutes to present the given topic skilfully in your own words and obviously without any mistakes.

You can be asked different types of essays in IELTS Writing Task 2. This includes - Opinion Essay, Argumentative Essay, Advantages/Disadvantages (Pros/Cons) Essay, Problem & Solution Essay and Mixed Essay. You have to identify the type of essay asked and write your response accordingly. You are expected to use your skills, experience and examples while answering.

Now, how is your essay scored? Here are the scoring criteria!

• Task Response
• Coherence & Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Each criterion contributes 25% of the total Writing Score. If you do not care about these parameters in your writing, you will lose a good portion of your score.

Are you well aware about the IELTS Writing Task 2 now? Then, let's proceed to some tips and strategies to ace this task like a Pro.

IELTS Essay Writing Task - Tips for a Better Score

• Map Out Your Ideas
• Be Familiarized With The Common Topics
• Ask Yourself Questions
• Employ Your Personal Opinion
• Manage Your Time
• Take Care of Lexical Resources
• Make Paragraphs
• Complete Your Answer
• Know Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation
• Use Formal Language

1. Understand

Understanding what the question specifies, is overcoming half the problem. It is essential to pay attention to all the issues mentioned in the question. First, look at the question carefully then identify the question type- whether it's a discussion, an opinion, a solution to the problem or a combination. Identify the main keywords and understand precisely what the examiner is expecting in the essay. Avoid writing on a general topic, or you won't score more than a band 5.

2. Map Out Your Ideas

Before you commence writing, take 5 minutes first to brainstorm different ideas. Take a pencil and jot down as many as various aspects and perspectives, related to the particular issue in the essay. The test-taker would score more if he/she plans and organizes out their ideas in a proper paraphrased manner. It will in a way save more time as you have already pictured the essay in your mind and will help you pen your essay better and faster.

3. Be Familiarized With The Common Topics

IELTS tutorials, one of the top institutions for IELTS coaching provides multiple IELTS Writing Practice to familiarize you with the pattern of the test, model questions, etc. This will help in widening your vocabulary to brainstorm more ideas. Also, try to read newspapers more which will increase your vocabulary along with keeping you updated with your surrounding ongoing. Always remember that the IELTS exam doesn't test your knowledge but competency in the English Language. So present your answer with a clear thought process with multiple examples to make your writing piece more enhanced.

4. Ask Yourself Questions

Another way to prompt ideas is to ask yourself questions while reading the essay topic like why/what/where/who/how to generate more ideas. When you ask these questions to yourself then you'll be able to think more evidently and thereby creating more ideas.

5. Employ Your Personal Opinion

The most effective method to write an enhanced essay is to include your personal opinion in the essay. Imagine the topic of the essay is a question asked of you by your friend, and then phrase your piece as if you are conveying what you believe in, your thoughts on it. Also, try to use relevant examples and instances in the essay to make it more clear.

So, in the end, remember that IELTS Writing task won't be another mountain to climb to score band 7+, if you think and understand thoroughly of what the essay topic requires.

6. Manage Your Time

Since the test is time bound, it is important to complete the IELTS Essay Writing task on time i.e. within 40 minutes. So, you must develop proper time management skills before appearing for the IELTS Exam.

Start writing your essay with a proper strategy. Do not spend more than 5 minutes in planning your essay. If possible, try to complete your essay within 36-37 minutes so that you can spend the last 2-3 minutes in proofreading. As you might have written the essay in a hurry, proofreading will help you identify spelling and grammar mistakes, if any. This way, you can complete your task efficiently within the stipulated time.

7. Take Care of Lexical Resources

Lexical Resource is one of the four Writing Assessment Criteria that contributes to your writing score. But, many of the IELTS aspirants are unaware regarding the use of lexical features. Lexical resource refers to the use of sufficient range of Vocabulary , correct usage of Spellings, proper implementation of Collocations and Word Formation.

Those who are unknown to this, use repetitive words in their essay. But, an examiner is looking for a variety of words and phrases in your answer. When he/she does not find any variety of language, it creates a negative impression about your Vocabulary. He/she considers that you have a poor language knowledge and marks you accordingly.

So, avoid repetitive words wherever possible in your essay.

8. Make Paragraphs

Many candidates do not use paragraphs while writing an academic piece or an article. They describe the entire topic clearly in just a single paragraph. But, doing so in IELTS Essay Writing Task will definitely cost your marks.

IELTS Essay Writing Task follows a specific structure. Have a look!

Break down your ideas into different paragraphs. Explain each idea of yours in detail with relevant examples in one paragraph. Then, start another paragraph with a new idea. But remember, your ideas should be logically linked though written in different paragraphs.

An essay with 4 paragraphs is ideal for IELTS Essay Writing Task. You can add paragraphs only and only if needed. Do not put any unwanted information or try to unnecessarily expand the paragraph. This will reduce the chance of achieving high band score.

9. Complete Your Answer

In order to finish the task before the time runs out, many candidates tend to leave the answers incomplete. There are some who choose another way of writing to complete their response i.e. they either write short sentences or put only bullet points. This is absolutely a wrong practice.

IELTS Test is meant to assess your English Language skills. And, if you leave the answers incomplete, the examiner will not be able to judge your skills. As a result, he/she will poorly grade your essay. So, instead of writing bullet points or short sentences, you must formulate each point in a separate paragraph with two to three lines of explanation. This way you can showcase your writing skills and create a good impact on the examiner to score better.

10. Know Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation

Using appropriate grammar, writing correct spellings and placing the punctuation marks at right places play a vital role in IELTS Writing Task 2. You need to be extra careful regarding this. Even a minor mistake will directly reduce your score. Thus, a prior practice is worthwhile to ensure success.

11. Use Formal Language

In this times of SMS and other chat applications, it is quite a common issue to use informal expressions and shorthand texts. But, this practice is strictly prohibited for the IELTS Exam. Using inappropriate language or terminologies might offend the examiner and thus, your score will suffer. So, you should use formal language in your writing.

Now that you are acquainted with enough knowledge, it will be easier for you to achieve your desired score in the IELTS Essay Writing task . Committing mistakes will reduce your chance to succeed. So, ensure that you go through these tips thoroughly and put them into regular practice. Be clear and precise in expressing your ideas and add suitable examples to enhance your writing.

To ace the IELTS, practicing alone wouldn't suffice. Here at IELTS tutorials, we have great expertise in giving useful tips, suggestions and proficient feedback, through Online IELTS Writing Practice . IELTS tutorials provides Full Practice Tests, Model Answers, Time-based test Analysis, Expert Guidance, E-booklets, and thereby augmenting the quality of your essay and making your dream of going abroad true.

So, don't take the IELTS exam for granted and practice at the last moment. Sign up now for our IELTS Writing Correction Services which will enable you to learn and understand which areas you should focus more. You will also receive suggestions and corrections for more improvement to write a better Essay, Letter and Report Writing tasks.

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How to Upgrade Your Essay to Band 9

April 30, 2024 By Ben W Leave a Comment

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In this tutorial, you’ll learn

• How to easily and simply ‘upgrade’ your IELTS task 2 essay to Band 9 by adding collocations or extra adjectives to your sentences.
• How to use a few idioms to show the examiner you are a really confident writer.
• How to use these adjectives to further develop your ideas which will help you to score highly in both the Task Achievement and Cohesion and Coherence marking categories.
• How to look at sample essays and see how these upgrades REALLY CAN TRANSFORM a good essay into a GREAT essay!

Click here to listen to the full tutorial:   https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-writing-task/upgrade-essay/

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Essential Rules for Writing Effective Conclusions (2024‪)‬ IELTS Podcast

• Language Learning

What Are the Essential Rules for Writing Effective Conclusions? * Address the question directly. * Recap or reaffirm your stance. * Avoid introducing new information. * Keep it concise. Which Vocabulary Should You Use for Conclusion Writing? Consequently, Ultimately, Therefore, In conclusion, Hence, To summarise, In summary.   What Ideas Should Guide Your Conclusion Writing? * Ensure your conclusion accurately reflects how much you agree with the prompt, especially in “to what extent” questions. * Balance your introduction and conclusion using the sandwich technique. * Vary your vocabulary without repeating the language of your introduction or the question word for word. * State your position clearly and choose your best argument for or against without trying to summarise all your arguments. Share this guide:Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn Further Reading * IELTS Essay Structures * IELTS Writing Tips for a Higher Score * Essential IELTS Speaking Tips Discover more about effective writing techniques at Harvard University’s Writing Center. AUTHOR: By Ben Worthington, founder and manager of IELTSPodcast.com. An expert IELTS tutor with over 12 years of experience, helping thousands of students every year pass the IELTS exam with Band 7 or higher. Share on WhatsApp     https://traffic.libsyn.com/ieltspodcast/Powerful_conclusions_for_task_2_in_2024.mp3 |Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |

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Ielts essay # 1508 - online learning is a superior option to in-person learning, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, the demand for online coaching services and video courses has grown significantly in the digital age. some now feel this method of learning is a superior option to in-person learning., to what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion.

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IELTS Results competition winners in April 2024

• IELTS Test Results competition

Dan Waldschmidt famously said, “The only thing standing between you and outrageous success is continuous progress.” , and it feels as if he were talking about the people I am about to introduce to you. They dedicated a lot of hard work to preparing for the test, and while it wasn’t always exciting, the results speak for themselves!

It is a pleasure to announce the 6 amazing test takers who invested a lot of effort in their IELTS preparation and got an amazing return on it! With band scores as high as Band 8.5, they’re over the moon about their achievements!

Let’s give a huge round of applause to:

IELTS results competition winners of April 2024

Academic Module

• 1st place – Iwona Avon from Croatia, Band 8.5
• 2nd place – Mannat Chahal from India, Band 7.5
• 2nd place – Raghav Grover from India, Band 7.5
• 2nd place – Shahriar Tanvir Saikat from Bangladesh, Band 7.5
• 3rd place – Prabhjot Singh from India, Band 6.5

General Training Module

• 1st place – David Osereme Chijioke from Nigeria, Band 8

What a bunch of fantastic scores!

We’re sending their certificates of achievement straight to their emails, making this day a little extra special for them. And guess what? Their impressive IELTS results will be on display in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame ! Dear winners – feel free to share your achievements among your family, friends and anyone who’d love to celebrate with you.

How did they score so well?

Now, you might be wondering, ‘How did they manage such great scores?’ Well, some of them are our students, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements:

Iwona Avon (Overall Band 8.5) used our website and YouTube channel to maximise her IELTS score.

Raghav Grover (Overall Band 7.5) is a student of Berry IELTS institute who also used the resources on IELTS-Blog.com and our social channels. He said, “I would say thank you again and again to you because the type of material for studying we get from you is just. I just don’t have words to show my appreciation.”

Shahriar Tanvir Saikat (Overall Band 7.5) has been using IELTS-Blog.com for his IELTS preparation since 2013(!)

We would love to hear from more winners, because when you share your stories and tell us how you studied, you are helping thousands of test takers, preparing for their exams right now. Any useful tips will be posted on IELTS-Blog.com, so everyone can use the same technique and get a better score in their own exam this month.

Did you know? IELTS results competition runs every month, and everyone is welcome to participate. Learn how to enroll here .

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The purpose of the IELTS Writing application is to provide helpful and trending materials and resources for self-study of IELTS. You will have access to interactive preparation materials and relevant samples, which cover writing tests for both IELTS Academic and General Training exams. - Letter samples - Graph samples - Essay samples - Lessons - Questions with answers - Free practice tests - Grammar exercises Self-study lessons, samples, and questions on IELTS Writing will provide you with tips and exam information, which will help you successfully prepare for the IELTS test and get the necessary score. Taking mock tests will help you to boost your chances of getting a higher score. As the application is self-paced, you can select the part you want to focus on to prepare for the IELTS Writing test. Please take a quick minute to post an honest rating and review. We take my users feedback very seriously and we truly appreciate all of our reviews. Share Your Experience, Tell Us Your Score If You Can. Good luck with your IELTS exam!

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