A 6-STEP Strategy for Writing Band 8/9 Essay in IELTS Exam
STEP 1 – QUESTION UNDERSTANDING:
- When you see the question you need to understand first what type of question it is. Be sure you answer only what you are asked for.
- Don’t try to write anything extra other than required in the question.
- While answering you might think that giving additional information on the topic is going to hook or impress the examiner but in fact you are wrong; it works vice versa.
- For example, if you give opinion when it is not asked, or you discuss advantages or disadvantages of something when they are not asked, or you give solutions of some problem which are not required in the question, or you generalize your discussion on the topic rather than being topic specific then it means that you are swayed or bent away from the topic.
- Remember it is a language test and anything out of the frame of the given question will give the examiner an impression that you don’t understand the task or the language of the question, which results in failure of task understanding. Ops! You lost.
Following are the common questions in IELTS Task 2 (Essay Writing)
- Only Your Opinion (To what extent do you agree?/ Do you agree or disagree?/ What is your opinion?/ What or How do you think about it?)
- Discussion + Opinion (Discuss both the view points and give your opinion)
- Discussion (Advantages and disadvantages)
- Opinion + Analysis (Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?)
- Opinion + Analysis (Is it a positive or a negative trend/development? (Or) Do you think it is positive?)
- Discussion + Analysis (What are the causes/reasons and its effects?).
- Discussion + Solutions (What are the causes and what solutions do you offer/suggest?)
- Analysis + Solutions (What are its effects and what solutions do you suggest/offer?)
- Discussion +Opinion + Analysis (Are advantages more than disadvantages?)
- Sometimes there are unusual or irregular questions which may require analysis and opinion or discussion and opinion. We call them unusual or irregular because they don’t follow the usual IELTS questions pattern but by and large they ask for the same as usual questions. Few examples of such questions are:
- Is it going to benefit the people? (opinion)
- To what extent is it harmful for society as well as individuals? (opinion)
- Why do people tend to rely on technology more, even when performing the simplest tasks? (discussion + opinion)
- Why do some people believe that growing tourism is becoming a threat to our environment (Discussion + Opinion)
- Do you think all information on the internet is reliable and what can be done to control its damages? (Analysis + Opinion + Solutions)
STEP 2 – ANALYSIS OF THE TASK
Analyze the task on following lines:
- What is the general topic in the given task?
- What is the precise parameter (limit/restriction) of the topic for discussion/opinion/analysis etc.? What important aspect of the question is to be focused on?
- Underline key words/phrases in the statement and understand their meaning/connotation/sense relevant to the task, because while paraphrasing you might make the mistake of choosing the wrong synonym or phrase to address the task.
- What type of the question it is. Repeat step 1 exercise to better understand what is stipulated in the question and its relevance to the task statement.
- Don’t jump on answering randomly without giving any thought to the task and its question. Most important thing is to follow the instructions and give the examiner what he is looking for.
- Most students make a big mistake when they see the topic and in a haste or panic start writing about the general topic and fail to spot the actual requirement/specific topic of the question.
- For example, if the general topic is about the disadvantages of robots they will start writing everything about drawbacks or even uses of robots which does not answer the question because they have failed, either completely or to a large extent, to address the specific topic that asks about the disadvantages of use of robots in homes.
- Look at the question below
People now have freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
General Topic: Freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the technology.
Specific Parameters: Freedom due to the development of Communication technology and transportation.
Question: Opinion + Analysis – (Which is the outweighing factor and why, from your point of view)
Common Mistakes: Two very common mistakes students do make in this type of question are:
- No 1: They discuss advantages and disadvantages of the issue but fail to give a clear and effective opinion, and rather write a single sentence such as, I believe that advantages overweigh disadvantages (OR) Therefore it is clear that advantages outbalance/outrank disadvantages.
- This doesn’t constitute your opinion; where is your opinion with some supporting argument and convincing evidence?
- No 2: Many students write/discuss more advantages and fewer disadvantages (or vice versa) and then give opinion that “Hence advantages are more than disadvantages (or vice versa)”
- You have made a clear mistake, since it isn’t asking if advantages are more or disadvantages are more.
- Overweighing has a different meaning than being more than something. Something even fewer in number or lesser in quantity can outweigh or overshadow the others.
- You need to give a convincing/ credible opinion to prove that one outweighs the other, and not compare the numbers/ quantity.
This is why question analysis is of prime importance.
- So Be Careful! Make a habit of thinking on these lines when you are attempting the writing tasks. You will be a way ahead of band 6 or 6.5 students.
- Understand what the general topic is and then go deeper down to address the specific topic within the boundaries of the general topic and the question/instructions given.
STEP 3 – GENERATING IDEAS
- Be simple; don’t over complicate things. No need to do a lot of brainstorming; it will make things worse and confuse your thoughts.
- Think of the limited number of relevant and valid ideas that actually answer your question.
- Lot of thinking or brainstorming drags your brain into thinking of more complex and many different ideas which is exactly opposite to what you are supposed to do.
- Again remind you of the fact that it’s a language test and not a knowledge test. You are not required to think of a variety of ideas or give unique approaches/thoughts to impress the examiner.
- It’s a 250-300 words essay and only 40 minutes to write them down, so better be simple, limited, focused to the task, logical, organized, fluent and convincing in what you write.
- Examiners are not looking for unique or wonderful ideas neither they are interested in a whole lot of ideas on an issue, rather they are looking for a more obvious and straightforward way of writing to check how better and how clearly you can communicate in English through writing.
- Ask yourself a direct question on the topic and think of an obvious and straightforward idea(s) that you can better write on according to the given instructions/parameters. There are no extra scores for amazing and unique or a bunch of ideas.
- A Great Tip:
- For those who are not good at generating ideas or thinking of some idea at spot, I would suggest that instead of getting worried and wasting time (as you can’t spend much time on just thinking and planning) adopt an unconventional approach and think outside the box.
- Think that if you ask the same question on the given topic from some people what would/could be their answer; it will shift your mindset and a clear thought/idea will strike from others’ views.
STEP 4 – PLANNING: Now comes planning before you actually put your thoughts on the paper.
- Plan your structure/outlines based on your understanding and analysis of the question before starting to write.
- It will provide you with a blueprint and delineation for your essay and you are not going to be trapped or get confused in the middle of your writing.
- You will be relatively organized while putting ideas on paper and will be able to save your time by not fumbling with ideas or thinking of structures and vocabulary.
- You will be pre-equipped with a whole lot of things and will just focus on writing and which is certainly going to help you write a clear and coherent essay.
- A few minutes on Analysis and Planning will save you from any mess or disorganization.
- While planning follow few more instructions stated below:
For Introduction:
- Think of suitable synonyms/phrases to introduce the topic.
- Paraphrase the given statement by restating, restructuring it in your own English.
- Then think of a clear thesis (your position) on the question/topic. This reflects your understanding and response to the task.
- No Golden words or unusual and uncommon synonyms are required. Just be simple.
- Remember, you are a non native and in an attempt to choose some unique or amazing vocabulary you may write a wrong phrase or word which is not fitting in, or does not convey the exact meaning.
- Examiners are looking only for a variety of languages and your ability to write in your own language structure(s).
For Body Paragraphs
- Draw an outline for your essay structure so that you remain organized throughout your essay writing. This will reflect task response as well as help in coherence and cohesion.
- It includes paragraphing style for body (2/3 paragraphs depending on your ideas and approach to your composition)
- Keep these three elements in mind for each body paragraph and jot down effective vocabulary (words/phrases) for them.
- Main ideas (topic sentences for each paragraph)
- Supporting details/explanations (arguments/reasons why you think your main idea is answering the question)
- Valid examples (as evidence for your argument/ reason/ opinion)
For conclusion:
- Think of appropriate words for restatement of thesis
- Summary point for conclusion
STEP 5 – WRITING:
After all this comes the real task of writing your essay. Start writing from introduction to body paragraphs to conclusion following your planning. Following are Dos and Don’ts
Dos
- Stick to what you have already planned.
- Throughout your essay keep in mind the “Four Elements of IELTS Writing Task Assessment Criteria”
(Read the article “SEVEN STEPS TO UNDERSTAND IELTS MARKING CRITERIA”)
- Maintain cohesion & coherence throughout your essay.
- Keep yourself alive to the task response and don’t sway away or go astray. Avoid unnecessary, redundant and repetitive details. Don’t over generalize the discussion and be topic specific.
- Use variety of vocabulary (synonyms/ alternate phrases for similar statements or thoughts / adverbials and adjectives/ collocations/ figurative language)
(For Collocations and Figurative Language read this article)
- Use a variety of sentence structures (passives/ causatives/ compound & complex sentences/ conditionals etc.)
- Use linkers (coherence markers) for continuation of ideas, change of idea/position on the topic, comparisons & contrasts, addition to the already mentioned information, giving examples, references and summarizing & conclusion.
(For linkers and their appropriate use read my article on “CORRECT USE OF COHERENCE MARKERS”)
- Introduce each paragraph with a key sentence (stating main idea of paragraph), then substantiate it by giving reasons/arguments/examples.
- Summarize your essay and restate your position/opinion clearly in conclusion.
- Be wary of grammar – spellings, proper word order, accurate placement of adverbs/adjectives/articles/prepositions/conjunctions, correct use of tenses, subject-verb agreement, use of gerund or infinitive, accurate auxiliary/helping verbs, punctuation marks, and letter case etc.
(For more information on accuracy of grammar read my article on “IELTS GRAMMAR”)
Don’ts
- Don’t change your ideas/structure/course of essay development invoked by any new thoughts/ideas. This will mess up your planning and ultimately the task.
- I am again emphasizing that I don’t need to use unfamiliar or hi-fi vocabulary. Just be simple and use a variety of lexical resources rather than creating some complex or complicated writing.
- Compound and complex sentences don’t mean long sentences. It will also make things worse for you in case the sentence is grammatically wrong or conveying the meaning otherwise.
- By using passives, conditionals or causatives doesn’t mean that you have to insert such sentences by hook or by crook. Only if there is a requirement, you should use these structures.
- Avoid using words/phrases/sentence structures which you don’t understand with clarity.
- Avoid using memorized and overused words/ sentences borrowed from the internet.
- Avoid using templates. Instead, sound natural using our own style.
- Avoid writing idioms/ proverbs/ cliché statements
Read the article on “AVOID WRITING THIS IN IELTS WRITING TASKS”
- Don’t give an opinion where it is not asked for.
(Read the article “WHEN AND WHERE TO GIVE OPINION)
STEP 6 – RECHECK OUR ESSAY:
- Many students are up to band 7 level but remain on 6/6.5 only because they don’t recheck their essay/letter/report. It is, therefore, necessary to save at least 5 min for rechecking your writing carefully. Just by doing this you can raise your band score from 6 to 7
- Look for any obvious grammatical mistakes. These include spellings, letter case, punctuation marks, tense of the verb used, subject-verb agreement etc.
- Poor grammar not only costs you in Grammar Marking Criteria but also spoils your cohesion and coherence.
- Check your vocabulary and accuracy of sentence structures if they are correct and appropriate to the matter. If you are not 100% sure of their accuracy or appropriate meaning replace them with simple vocabulary and structures. It is better being simple and correct than being incorrect or inappropriate.
- Check if you are missing coherence markers and if so write them in appropriate places to make your language fluent and organized.
- Check the overall structure of the essay. Just in case if you figure out any missing element put it in at the appropriate place.
- Check if any idea/message you want to give is incomplete.
- Check and make sure that your position is clear and the task is well responded throughout the essay.
- Check that your key ideas/explanations/argument/examples satisfy the question well (task response).
LAST FEW WORDS
- Many students waste a lot of time and energy, and even money surfing on the net and seeking advice from so-called experts and think that they have come to know all the essentials of IELTS writing.
- But unfortunately they land on wrong ground, because they don’t practice enough by themselves and just rely upon others’ ideas or opinions.
- You must do a lot of practice of each type of essay following the instructions above and then get it checked by some Authentic IELTS Teacher for accurate feedback, corrections and further guidance.
- Though to many it might seem that analysis, idea generation, planning and structuring is going to consume a lot of time and there won’t be enough time left to write an essay and recheck it, but if you do practice you will see that after few attempts you will be able to do all pre-writing steps within 5/6 minutes.
- But even if it takes up to 8 minutes you needn’t worry because proper analysis, idea generation, planning and outlining our essay will save you a lot of time while writing. Besides you will be well organized and have clarity of thought.
- After poised analysis and better planning you can write 250 to 300 words essays in maximum 25 minutes. And you will have saved time for rechecking as well.
Wish you best of luck!