Scribd
Upload
381 views12 pages

IELTS Writing Notes Basics 1

The document discusses key aspects of preparing for IELTS Writing Task 2. It notes that Task 2 counts for more of the writing score than Task 1, requires a longer minimum word count of 250 words, and involves answering open-ended questions without single correct answers requiring more planning. It provides tips for handwriting responses, allocating time for planning, writing, and editing, and maintaining an academic writing style with proper paragraphs, sentences, tone and vocabulary. Finally, it outlines common question types for Task 2 like discussing advantages and disadvantages or causes and solutions to a problem.

Uploaded by

farha kk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
381 views12 pages

IELTS Writing Notes Basics 1

The document discusses key aspects of preparing for IELTS Writing Task 2. It notes that Task 2 counts for more of the writing score than Task 1, requires a longer minimum word count of 250 words, and involves answering open-ended questions without single correct answers requiring more planning. It provides tips for handwriting responses, allocating time for planning, writing, and editing, and maintaining an academic writing style with proper paragraphs, sentences, tone and vocabulary. Finally, it outlines common question types for Task 2 like discussing advantages and disadvantages or causes and solutions to a problem.

Uploaded by

farha kk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

IELTS Writing Task 2 Basics

IELTS Writing Task 1 vs. IELTS Writing Task 2


IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 involves composing a
formal five-paragraph essay in 40 minutes. The first
section—Task 1—should take you only 20 minutes.
Why spend more time on IELTS Writing Task 2? This
basic comparison offers a few reasons:

Points: Task 2 counts more towards your Writing


band score
Task 1 = 1/3rd of your score
Task 2 = 2/3rds of your score
Word count minimums: Task 2 is longer
Task 1 = 150 word minimum
Task 2 = 250 word minimum
Planning your response: Task 2 questions require
more thought
Task 1 = transfer of information from a visual into
writing
Task 2 = answer an open/abstract question with
no clear or “correct” answer
Let’s look at some basic IELTS essay writing tips for
IELTS Writing Task 2:
Handwritten Responses (for paper-based IELTS)
Although the computer-delivered IELTS is becoming
more wildly available, the majority of test takers still
take the IELTS on good old fashioned papr. If your
IELTS is a pencil and paper exam, your responses will
be handwritten. In that case, it is essential that you
handwrite (don’t type!) your practice essays for Task
2. Writing by hand helps you develop a sense of
pacing. In other words, you will learn how quickly (or
slowly!) you write with pencil and paper in English.
(Paper-based IELTS test takers can go to this article
for more information on handwritten IELTS responses.)

Importantly, as you’re probably aware, precious points


will be deducted if you do not meet the minimum word
requirements in the Writing section. But it is
a huge waste of time to actually count your words on
exam day. If you take the additional step of using
official IELTS Writing Task 2 response
sheets (download and print them here), you can see
how many words you typically write on each page. You
won’t have to count because you will know what that
number of words looks like on the IELTS answer
sheet.

Timing
Writing speed varies a lot from student to student.
How you allocate time depends a lot on how fast you
can write. The more you practice Task 2 responses,
the quicker you will become. Your goal should be to
allow enough time for these three things:

Essay planning 2 – 10 minutes


Writing 25 – 32 minutes
Editing 5 minutes (or more if possible)
As you practice, try very hard to cut down on the
amount of time it takes to plan your responses before
writing. Some students can take up to 10 minutes to
brainstorm and plan. For most people, however, using
10 minutes at the beginning will take away too much
time from writing and editing. I usually recommend
three to five minutes of planning as a reasonable
target. The more practice questions you answer, the
faster you will become at generating ideas before you
write.
Academic/Formal Writing
The IELTS expects you to use an academic/formal
writing style. This means you should use the same
kind of language that you would when writing a report
for work or an essay for school. Obviously, you would
avoid using “slang” words. You would also write in
complete sentences and use proper punctuation. Here
are some additional features of academic/formal
writing to keep in mind for Task 2:

Organize ideas into separate paragraphs: You will


lose points if you do not divide your essay into
paragraphs. In the next section of this post, I’ve
included an IELTS Writing Task 2 response
template. The template includes the essential
paragraphs you should include in your Task 2
response. Generally speaking, your essay must
have an introduction paragraph, 2 – 3 body
paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Write in complete sentences: Make sure each


sentence you write has an independent
clause with a subject and verb. When you write
complex or compound sentences, use
“connectors” like coordinating conjunctions (and,
but, so, etc) or subordinating conjunctions (when,
although, because, etc).

Avoid repetition of words and ideas: Your ideas


should move from one to the next logically, and
you should show off your vocabulary by avoiding
redundancy (don’t repeat the same words over and
over).

Avoid “slang:” The English you hear in the movies


or read on social media is often inappropriate for
formal writing. It is a big problem to use words
like “dude” or spellings like “U” (for “you”) on the
IELTS.

Thoughtful and Neutral Tone: Academic/formal


writing has a very careful and thoughtful tone. It
rarely sounds angry, excited, or overly certain
about an idea. It is also best to avoid broad
generalizations in formal/academic compositions.
Here are some examples to demonstrate:

NOT ACADEMIC: I hate this idea! (Too excited/angry)


ACADEMIC: This idea has some problems to consider.

NOT ACADEMIC: Everyone is distracted by cell


phones these days.(Too broad)
ACADEMIC: Many people are distracted by cell
phones these days.

NOT ACADEMIC: I have the best solution to the


problem. (Too certain)
ACADEMIC: I w

Writing Question Types: To what extent do you


agree…
IELTS Writing Question Types: Advantages and
Disadvantages
IELTS Writing Question Types: Causes and
Solutions to a Problem
IELTS Writing Question Types: Discuss both
sides (and give your opinion)

IELTS Writing Question Types: Two Part


Questions

You might also like