IELTS Writing Task 2

Tips:
The Task 2 in IELTS Writing is based on an academic essay in English and follows a

specific conventional structure as follows:

Introduction: - restatement of topic (paraphrase of question statement)

- indication of writer's opinion (thesis statement)

- what the writer wants to talk about (outline statement)

Body of the essay: Paragraph 1:

- topic sentence (main idea)

- supporting idea(s) (explanation of topic sentence)

- example(s)

Paragraph 2.

- topic sentence (main idea)

- supporting idea(s) (explanation of topic sentence)

- example(s)

Conclusion: - summary of views and restatement of writer's position

It is not difficult to be competent at answering questions in IELTS Writing - just follow the

three steps outlined below:

1. Prepare

2. Write

3. Check
1. Prepare:

Look at what the question requires.

Make sure you are clear what it is asking you to respond to and how you want to respond.

Note down your main and supporting ideas.

Think of the vocabulary you can use and how you can paraphrase to avoid repetition.

Plan how you will organise your answer.

2. Write:

Write directly in English and do not translate from your first language. Use a variety of

sentences such as simple, compound, complex, question, passive and conditional

sentences. However, do not write very long sentences. As a rule, do not have more

than 2 sub-clauses in a sentence.

Use appropriate linking words to connect your ideas in one sentence. Use signpost words

and phrases generously.

3. Check: Once you have finished, make sure you check your essay for spelling and

grammar.

Contrasting ideas

You are often asked to express different points of view on the topic under discussion.

One way of doing this is to use the following expressions:

Many people feel that ............ while/whereas others are convinced that ......

On the one hand it has often been said that ....... while on the other.....

Although it is often thought that ....... it is also true that ........

In spite of the belief that ..... Despite this fact .....

Connecting ideas

You also need to link ideas that follow the same line:

With regard to this .....

Linked to this .....

In connection with this development, it is clear that .....

Following on from this idea that .......... we should also point out the advantages of .......

Connected to this theory we also find the belief that .........

Time expressions

English style prefers NOT to have time expressions at the beginning of a sentence:

There have been many changes since those days.

There are more and more cars nowadays.

This has been common in recent years.

I have often seen this over the last year.

Exemplifying

Your writing will be more interesting if you can support your ideas with specific examples:

To give an example .....

An example of this is the following .....

One of the most striking examples of this problem is ......

An example which immediately springs to mind is ......

To illustrate this point we can take the example of ......

Concluding

Let the reader know when you are coming to the end of your essay:

In conclusion

To conclude

To sum up

3. Check

Answer these questions to yourself once you have finished writing your essay:

1. Look at what you have written. Can you see the paragraphs clearly? Does the essay

look well balanced, well organised and tidy?

2. How many paragraphs do you have? Don't overdo it. In IELTS 4 or 5 paragraphs is

enough.

3. Does each paragraph add something to the general argument? Does it add a new idea?

4. Do you have an introduction paragraph and a conclusion paragraph?

5. Have you given relevant and interesting examples?

6. Does your essay answer the question?

7. Have you checked the spelling and the grammar?