IELTS WRITING TIPS FOR TASK 2

Write AT LEAST 250 words and spend fewer than 40 minutes to finish
Introduction: 2 sentences (around 30 words)
Body Paragraph 1: 4 to 6 sentences (around 100 words)
Body Paragraph 2: 4 to6 sentences (around 100 words)
Conclusion: 1 sentence (around 20 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2 – How to Write an Introduction:

For IELTS Writing Task 2, keep your introduction short and simple. Don't waste time
writing a long introduction; the main body paragraphs are more important.

A good IELTS Writing Introduction needs only 2 things:

A sentence that introduces the topic (this can easily be done by paraphrasing the topic)

A sentence that gives a short, general answer to the question

Here is an example of an IELTS Task 2 question:

As computers are being used more and more in education, there will soon be no role for
the teacher in the classroom. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Example of a good Introduction:

It is true that computers have become an essential tool for teachers and students in
all areas of education. However, while computers are extremely useful, I do not
agree with the idea that they could soon replace teachers completely.

In the first sentence I introduce the topic of computers in education.

In the second sentence I answer the question and make my opinion clear. Don't wait until
the conclusion to give your opinion.
Remember, write a simple Introduction, then you can focus on the main paragraphs.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction Examples:

Here are some example introductions for 5 different types of essays. Write 2 sentences.
1. A sentence to introduce the topic
2. A sentence giving a general response to the question(s) or instruction

Problem & Solution Essay:

It is true that children's behavior seems to be getting worse. There are various reasons for
this, and both schools and parents need to work together to improve the situation.

Advantages & Disadvantages Essay:

In the modern world, individuals use many functions of the internet on a daily basis.
Although there are some drawbacks of this phenomenon, I believe that a greater number
of benefits exist for those who use the internet.

Discussion & Opinion Essay:

People have different views about how children should be taught. Even though there are
some good arguments in favor of teaching children to be competitive, I believe that it is
better to encourage co-operation.

 The second sentence from this type of Introduction can also be used for an
Opinion Essay if you ‘partly agree’

Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Essay:

In recent years it has become more common for women to return to work after having a
child. However, I do not agree that this has been the cause of problems for young people.

A Topic With 2 Questions:

Communication among people is quite different now compared to the past, and the main
reason for this is the widespread use of technology. There are several ways in which
technology has influenced the kinds of relationships that individuals make, and I believe
it is a beneficial development.
My advice: Keep your introduction short. Main body paragraphs are more important.
Important Introduction Rules:

My simple rules for task 2 Introductions are:

Write 2 sentences: introduce the topic, then give a general answer.

Mention everything that the question mentions.
Don't save any surprises for the conclusion; give your opinion in the Introduction if the
question asks for it.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Model for 5-sentence Body Paragraphs:

When writing main body paragraphs for IELTS writing task 2, try to aim for five
sentences (4 sentences at the least - 6 sentences at the most).

For example:

Topic sentence (e.g. There are several reasons why I believe...)

First reason
Example
Second reason
Third reason

Another example:

Topic sentence (e.g. Many people believe that...)

Explain why
Explain in more detail
Example
Explain why they disagree with the opposite view

 Be sure to write different sentence structures, especially in your Body Paragraphs

(i.e. Simple, Compound, Complex & Compound-Complex Sentences)
IELTS Writing Task 2 Conclusion examples:
The main body paragraphs are much more important, so don't worry too much about the
conclusion; make it short, simple and fast.

Here are some example conclusion phrases for different types of questions which you can
use in your own writing:
1. Opinion essay (For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that…(add
information and then repeat your opinion).
E.g. For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that students must do homework
every day.

2. Discussion + Opinion essay (In conclusion, there are convincing arguments both
for and against…(topic) but I believe that…(opinion).

E.g. In conclusion, there are convincing arguments both for and against keeping pets in
apartments, but I believe that a pet benefits more by living in a house with a yard.

3. Advantages and Disadvantages essay (In conclusion, I would argue that the
benefits of…(topic) outweigh the drawbacks.

E.g. In conclusion, I would argue that the benefits of sending children to public school
outweigh the drawbacks.

4. Problem and Solution essay (In conclusion, it is clear that there are various
reasons for…(topic), and steps need to be taken to tackle this problem.

E.g. In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for poor attendance in high
schools, and steps need to be taken to tackle this problem.

5. A Topic With 2 Questions

 paraphrase the second sentence from your Introduction

(no example ~ sorry )
FULL ESSAY TIPS:

There is a clear 4-paragraph structure, so the essay should be is easy to read because the
ideas are developed in a logical way.
The introduction should be short (2 sentences), but it must cover everything that the
question asks you about.
The main paragraphs make up around 70% of the essay. These paragraphs are the key to
a high score. (Remember to write S, CD, CX & CC sentences)
The conclusion needs to be very short (1 sentence), and simply summarizes what you
have already written. Never put any new ideas in the conclusion.
You should focus on expressing your ideas well by using a range of relevant words and
phrases.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Advice: Argument or Discussion?:

The difference between an argument essay and a discussion essay is given below. Here's
an easy way to think about the difference:

When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of
view. You might even get angry!
When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.
The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do. If it asks you to
"discuss", you should write about advantages and disadvantages or two different views.
If the question asks whether you "agree or disagree", it's asking for your view. For this
type of question, give your opinion in the introduction and support it in the rest of the
essay. Try to persuade the reader to agree with you.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree, Disagree or Both?:

For 'agree or disagree' essays, do you think you should give both sides of the argument or
just one side? The answer is that you can do either…BUT I ALMOST ALWAYS find
that both sides of the argument are easier to write about (a good Introduction will tell the
examiner whether you are going to write about one or both sides of the argument). It’s
fine to write an essay for a balanced argument as long as you DON’T use a “some people
believe…other people believe” structure – this would be a discussion. For an “agree or
disagree” topic, you must make sure that both paragraphs contain YOUR views (e.g. On
the one hand, I accept…On the other hand, I also believe). Please note the difference
between a discussion topic and an argument topic. Also, I suggest that you write around
the same number of sentences for each Body Paragraph, but you DON’T need to include
the exact same number of points/ideas in each paragraph.

If the topic asks “Do you agree OR disagree?”, ONLY write about 1 view. However, if
the topic asks: “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”, you can either completely
agree (one side of the argument), completely disagree (one side of the argument), or
partly agree (both sides of the argument).

A) Essay structure for one side of the argument:

Introduction: topic + your opinion (either agree or disagree)

Body Paragraph #1: First idea to support your opinion
Body Paragraph # 2: Second idea to support your opinion
Conclusion: repeat your opinion

B) Essay structure for giving both sides:

Introduction: topic + say that you 'partly agree'

Body Paragraph # 1: On the one hand,...
Body Paragraph # 2: On the other hand,...
Conclusion: repeat that you accept elements of both arguments