10 TIPS FOR WRITING PERFECT IELTS ESSAYS

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 respectively 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, nonetheless 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.