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Writing Tips - Updated Version

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18 views

Writing Tips - Updated Version

Uploaded by

happynapdo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IELTS Writing Tips

● Basics: In the writing test there are no right or wrong answers or opinions. The
examiners are simply checking how well you can use your English to report information /
data and express ideas. Remember the minimum word limit. If you write less than 150
words for Task 1 and less than 250 for Task 2, you will lose marks as there is a penalty
for this.

● Correct format: Try to follow a proper structure for all task types. This will help in
achieving maximum band score in task response criteria.

● Understand the question: Make sure you understand the questions carefully to ensure
your answer addresses all the points covered by the question.For example, in ‘discuss
both views and give your opinion, there are 3 parts (view 1 discussion, view 2 discussion
and your own opinion). In ‘advantages outweigh disadvantages’ type, you need to write
at least 3 advantages and 2 disadvantages if you agree with the statement. Pay
attention to ‘and’ or comparative words like ‘rather / than ‘ etc.

● Planning: Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. Don’t forget to plan your
essay structure before you start writing. You should include an introduction, ideas to
support your argument or opinion, real-life examples to illustrate your points, and a
conclusion based on the information you have provided.

● Vocabulary: Be careful to use your own words because the examiner will not include
words copied from the question in the word count. If you can, try to add ‘less common
words’, avoid repetition of words and keep changing the form of the words. Try not to
write the same word more than twice. Try to change a verb into a noun or vice versa.

● A clear opinion: Make your position or point of view as clear as possible in your essay
for Academic Writing Task 2. Your last paragraph should be a conclusion that is
consistent with the arguments you have included in your essay.

● A clear outline: Your outline in the introduction should be reflected in the body
paragraphs. If you mention the word ‘reasons’, for instance in the outline, and you then
write just one reason in the main body paragraph, that will be an incorrect outline.

● Sufficient explanation: Write an extended explanation for your arguments. Never ever
leave your arguments under-explained or unexplained. It affects your task response
badly.

● Avoid over-generalized response: Never overgeneralize your argument and always


explain it in a logical sequence.
● Practical examples: Try to support your ideas with practical and real-life examples
which apply over a large area of population , for instance, examples which apply on a
city or better on a country. Avoid examples with vague research results.

● Proofread: You have 40 minutes to write your Task 2 essay. Make sure you give yourself
up to five minutes to plan your answer before you start writing. Also leave five minutes at
the end to review your answer and check for mistakes.

● Task 1: In Academic Writing Task 1 you have to select and compare relevant information
from data presented in a chart, table or diagram. In your introduction, do not copy the
text from the question. Use your own words. You shouldn’t try to interpret or give
reasons for the data; keep your response according to the data provided.

● Improve grammar: Make less grammar mistakes. Learn basic punctuation rules. Many
candidates confuse singular and plural nouns. For example, the plural form for many
nouns includes an ‘s’ – students, journals, articles, issues. Pay attention to this when
writing/typing (in computer-delivered IELTS). Take care to spell words correctly. Standard
American, Australian and British spellings are acceptable in IELTS.

● Sentence structures: Learn first what are complex, compound , and


complex-compound sentence structures. Work on these structures and write more and
more in them.

● Coherence & Cohesion: Make sure your task is in a flow and is easily understandable.
Use cohesive devices to connect your sentences and the paragraphs. You must write
both your answers in full, not in note form or in bullet points. You must arrange your
ideas in paragraphs, to show the examiner that you are able to organise your main and
supporting points. You do not have to write very long sentences to do well in your Writing
test. If sentences are too long, they will become less coherent and also make it harder
for you to control the grammar.

● Memorizing: Memorizing a model answer for the Writing test won’t be a good idea. The
examiner will see that your answer does not match the topic of the essay.

● Daily habit: Make a habit of yourself to read English articles daily and keep learning
new words from these articles. Analyze the sentence structures written in articles. Notice
where they put a comma and where they did not. Believe me this will help.

● Follow this official link for more details.


https://ielts.idp.com/pakistan/prepare/article-ielts-writing-task-2-8-steps-to-band-8

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