AGENDA
Introduction to IELTS Writing
Writing Criteria
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2
Tips and Strategies
Academic Writing
Test Format – Academic Writing (60 minutes)
The Writing component of IELTS Academic includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for
test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Task 1
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the
information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process,
how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks
must be in a formal style.
General Writing
Test Format – General Training Writing (60 minutes)
The Writing component of IELTS General Training includes two tasks which are based on topics of general interest.
Task 1
You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation.
The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more
personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.
Academic Writing General Training Writing
WRITING TASK 1
THE FOUR MARKING CRITERIA
Task achievement
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.
WRITING TASK 1
Task achievement
This assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the
requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words.
Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined input and a largely
predictable output.
It is basically an information-transfer task that relates narrowly to the factual
content of an input diagram and not to speculative explanations that lie outside the
given data.
WRITING TASK 1
Coherence and cohesion
This concern overall clarity and fluency: how the response organizes and links
information, ideas and language.
Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing.
Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for
example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the
conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.
WRITING TASK 1
Lexical resource
This refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and appropriacy in
terms of the specific task.
Grammatical range and accuracy
This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar as manifested in their
sentence writing.
WRITING TASK 1
Academic
Four steps should be followed to write a better Academic writing task 1:
1. What type of presentation it is and what it is asking.
2. Collecting data/information.
3. Planning for writing.
4. Representing in an organized form.
WRITING TASK 1
Academic
There are three basic things you need to structure an IELTS writing task 1.
Introduce the graph
Give an overview
Give the detail
WRITING TASK 1
Academic
How to write a balanced introduction:
The introduction part of a writing is very important hence it reflects your skill of writing.
Readers decide whether to read further or completely avoid the whole writing after reading the introduction. So
in every writing introduction part should be very organized.
In case of IELTS academic writing task 1, you should use the following structure and vocabularies to write a
balanced introduction.
What it is (table/ graph/ chart/ diagram/ picture/ flow chart)
What it does (presents data/ shows comparison/ summarize / contrast/ give projection or prediction)
What about
Place
Time
Presentation of X and Y axis
Other relevant information
WRITING TASK 1
Academic
The general trend part should be immediately after the introduction part. It is recommended to write the
general trend parts in the same paragraph with the introduction.
The general trend part should focus the main point of the presentation and should not be too large with lots
of information.
However you should not give the specific figure, time, amount or data presented in the graph, rather try to
use daily life English to make the main reader interested about the whole writing.
You can use phrases like As is presented/ as is observed / in general / in common etc. to start this part.
WRITING TASK 1
Academic
How to write an attractive details description:
The Detailed description part comes after the introduction and general trend and should be written in the second
paragraph.
In this part, you should describe the graph / table / chart / diagram etc.
While describing, keep in mind that, you are not expected to write down all the data provided in the question, rather
your ability to describe the presentation in general English.
The things you should follow in this part :
» Use appropriate tense to describe the data.
» Use transitional words like, besides, as well as, likewise, in addition, additionally, again, on the other hand etc. to
make your sentences relevant and coherent.
» Try to mention the initial, highest, lowest and projection points.
Things you should avoid in this part:
» Do not describe all the data and facts presented in the graph.
» Don't include your own opinion, imagination or solution.
» DO NOT use contractions (can not=can't, do not =don't etc, will not=won't) in your writing.
WRITING TASK 1
General training
In General Writing Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter
requesting information or explaining a situation.
It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least
150 words.
Depending on the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:
engage in personal correspondence
elicit and provide general factual information
express needs, wants, likes and dislikes
express opinions (views, complaints etc.)
WRITING TASK 1
General training
THE FOUR MARKING CRITERIA
Task achievement
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.
WRITING TASK 1
General training
Task Achievement
Does your letter answer all parts of the question?
Are your ideas relevant?
Coherence and Cohesion
Are your ideas well organized, clear and well connected?
Lexical Resource
Have you repeated any words?
Have you copied any words from the question?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Have you made any grammatical/spelling/punctuation errors?
Have you used a variety of sentence structures?
Have you used the right tenses?
WRITING TASK 1
General training
LETTER WRITING
In the General Training Task 1, you will be asked to write a letter. The letter must be
written in the correct style, for example;
Informal - writing to a friend or family member (someone you know well)
Semi Formal - if you were writing for a work colleague (someone you know)
Formal - if you are writing to a business or local newspaper (a person you do not
know)
WRITING TASK 1
General training
The letter questions will feature different content, which tells you if the letter is going to be
informal, semi-formal or formal. Here is a list
Information request - any style
Making arrangements - formal
Applications - formal
Invitations - personal/semi-formal
Complaints - formal
Personal - informal
WRITING TASK 1
General training
General Writing Structure
WRITING TASK 1
General training
WRITING TASK 1
General training
Here are some pointers for organizing your ideas in IELTS letters:
1. Think about how each sentence relates to the one before and after. Choose words that clearly guide the reader from one thought to the next.
For example, where appropriate:
a. Use sequencers - “To begin with . . . Finally, . . .”
b. Use phrases to signal your ideas - “The reason why I need time off . . . The solution to this problem is . . . “
c. Use specific linking words to show contrast, similarity, cause - “similarly, however, as a result . . .”
2. Avoid repeating key words in your answer. Don’t be boring and repetitive - you want to demonstrate that you have a variety of words in your
vocabulary bank.
a. Think of synonyms for words that you are repeating (the problem, this issue, these complications, another annoyance . . .)
Use pronouns (she, them, these . . .)
WRITING TASK 1
General training
3. Each task bullet point can be used to create the body paragraphs.
a. Let the first sentence of the paragraph communicate the subject in some way.
b. Either indent the first line of each paragraph or separate the paragraphs from each other with a space.
4. Be sure the main purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning to the end.
a. Open the letter with a short explanation of the purpose and close the letter with a call to action that relates to this purpose.
WRITING TASK 2
UNDERSTANDING WRITING TASK 2 IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an academic-style
essay on a common topic. You have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words. Task 2 can be broken down and
thought about more easily in 5 steps:
1. Question Analysis2. Planning 3. Introduction4. Main Body Paragraphs5. Conclusion
WRITING TASK 2
Four main reasons why students fail:
1.Failure to take the time to actually read the question;
2.Writing about the topic generally and not answering the specific question;
3.Failing to recognise the kind of question being asked and
4.Misunderstanding the question.
WRITING TASK 2
How to analyse the question?
1.Identify the Topic Words
Each essay will be about a general topic and we must identify this first.
2.Identify Micro-Topic Words
These words define the question and tell you which particular part of the main topic the question would like you to
discuss and what the examiner is looking for. They often give an opinion or qualify the statement in some way.
3.Identify Instruction Words
The next stage is looking to see what the examiner wants us to do. They could ask us to give an opinion, or evaluate
the advantages and disadvantages or present problems and solutions.
WRITING TASK 2
PLANNING
One of the biggest fears students have is opening up the writing paper, looking at task 2 and having no ideas.
Idea generation in IELTS writing task 2 is something students worry a lot about, but it doesn’t have to be
that way.
1. Common Topic Familiarisation
2. Brainstorming (least effective)
3. Mind Mapping
4. 5 Questions Method
5. Personal Opinion Method (most effective)
WRITING TASK 2
IELTS Writing Task 2 Introduction
The introduction is the first part of the essay the examiner will read and it will give them a good first
impression of what to expect in the rest of the essay. Just like in person, first impressions last.
Common Problems
1. Talking too generally about the topic.
2. Not including a thesis statement
3. Not outlining what you are going to do
4. Trying to write a ‘hook’ or be entertaining
5. Using an informal style
WRITING TASK 2
Structure of a Good Introduction
1.Paraphrase question
Paraphrasing means stating the question again, but with different words so that it has the same meaning. We do this
by using synonyms and flipping the order of the sentences around.
2.Thesis statement
This is the most important sentence in your essay. This is your main idea and I often describe it to students as how
you feel about the whole issue in one sentence. It tells the examiner that you have understood the question and will
lead to a clear and coherent essay.
3.Outline statement
Now that you have paraphrased the question and told the examiner what you think in your thesis sentence, you are
now going to tell the examiner what you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. In other words, you will outline
what the examiner will read in the rest of the essay. This should be one sentence only.
WRITING TASK 2
Ways of Paraphrasing
1: Using Synonyms
Synonyms are different words that have the same meaning. This method simply replaces words with the same
meaning in order to produce a new sentence.
2: Change the Word Order
Changing the word order also allows us to effectively paraphrase a sentence, but again, we have to be careful. Don’t
change the word order without thinking about how this affects the grammar of the sentence. By changing the word
order you may have to add a word, subtract a word or change the form of the word.
3: Change the Form of the Word
There are many different forms of words including nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Changing the form of a
word allows us to paraphrase effectively.
THESIS STATEMENT
What is a thesis statement?
Thesis- An idea put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed or analysed.
A thesis statement is the most important sentence in your IELTS writing task 2 answer. It is contained in the
introduction and each introduction should have one; along with a paraphrase of the question and an outline
statement.
A thesis statement is your main idea and described as how you feel about the whole issue in one sentence. It tells
the examiner that you have understood the question and will lead to a clearer; more coherent essay.
WRITING TASK 2
CONCLUSION
The conclusion is the easiest paragraph to write because in many ways you are just using ideas you have already
mentioned in your introduction and main body paragraphs. However, this is the last thing the examiner will read and
it is therefore crucial that you finish strongly.
IELTS Conclusion Quick Tips
1.Never write any new ideas in your conclusion.
2.Make sure you answer the question in the conclusion.
3.Vary your language.
4.Don’t try to include everything.
5.Always write one.
6.Two sentences are enough.
WRITING TASK 2
The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:
1.Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
2.Advantages and Disadvantages
3.Problem and Solution
4.Discussion (Discuss both view)
5.Two-part Question
WRITING TASK 2
GENERAL ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
1. Paraphrase Question
2. Thesis Statement
3. Stand/Opinion
4. Outline Sentence
BODY/SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH
1. Topic Sentence
2. Description/Explanation
3. Examples/Further Discussion
4. Summary of the Paragraph/ Counter Arguments
CONCLUSION
1. Restatement of the Thesis
2. Generalization of the Body
3. Reiteration of Stand or Opinion
WRITING TASK 2
THE FOUR MARKING CRITERIA
Task response
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.
WRITING TASK 2
TASK ACHIEVEMENT1. Are there enough words?- There must be atleast 250 words. 2. Does the essay address all parts of the
task?- A question may have from one to four parts. Each of them must be addressed as fully as possible.- Consider the task “
Some people think that wild animals should not be kept in zoos. Others believe that there are good reasons for having zoos.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion”. - An essay about this topic should cover three parts:a. Reasons not to keep
animals in zoo.b. Advantages of zoosc. Own opinion- If a candidate forgets to cover one part out of three, they won’t get more
than 5 for Task Response 3. Is writer’s position clear enough?- A candidate can NOT change his or her opinion while writing the
essay, otherwise, they won’t score more than 6. 4. Are arguments and examples good enough?- Some students use irrelevant
examples or weak arguments, thus getting no more than 6.
WRITING TASK 2
COHERNCE AND COHESION
The examiner will check how well a candidate can organize his or her writing.
-Introduction
a.Paraphrase question
b.Thesis Statement
c.Stand
-Conclusion
a.Restatement of thesis
b.Generalization of body
c.Opinion/Stand
WRITING TASK 2
COHERNCE AND COHESION
The examiner will check how well a candidate can organize his or her writing.
WRITING TASK 2
LEXICAL RESOURCES
This criterion aims to check candidate’s vocabulary choice.
Here examiners check grammar knowledge.