IELTS Essay Writing

Key Points for Essay Writing:
The essay is written in a formal language. It must have 250 words at least maximum 280
(no official limit).
There are five types of essays in IELTS.
Academic or general both:
1. Agree or disagree
2. Advantages and disadvantages
3. Outweigh
4. Discuss both views and opinion
5. Problem /solution essays
Format for the essays will remain same for all types of essays
The basic format is
1. Introduction (30-60 words}
2. Body paragraph 1 (80- 90 words)
3. Body paragraph 2 (80-90 words)
4. Conclusion (25-35 words)
There are few don’ts and few do’s for IELTS writing task 1 AND 2
1. Never copy paste the question statement
2. No short forms or abbreviations
3. No contractions (don’t, doesn’t)
4. No slang
5. No repetition of ideas
6. Never use words such as always, just, things etc
7. Never overwrite
8. Never skip leaving a line after each paragraph
9. Don’t make punctuation errors
10. Beware of giving personal examples
11. Don’t write all the details (you can skip a few)
There are four parameters on which IELTS examiner assesses your writing
1. Task response / achievement
> Did you answer the question?
> Did you fully answer ALL parts of the question?
> Did you fully develop your main ideas?
> Did you do what the question actually asked you to do?
2. Coherence and cohesion
> Did you accurately and appropriately use cohesive devices?
> Is your position clear throughout the essay?
> Did you logically organize the information?
> Did you use paragraphing effectively?
> Was there a clear central topic within each paragraph?
3. Lexical resource (vocabulary)
> topic specific and accurate use of vocabulary
> Sufficient range of vocabulary
> Spelling
> Word formation
> Use of collocations
4.Grammar and punctuation
> Use variety of complex structures, Grammar, punctuation, simple & complex sentences
Agree or Disagree Essay
These are very tricky questions. You need to analyse the main words in the question
and then focus on the paraphrasing. You have to give your opinion and make sure
you either completely agree or disagree with the statement.
INTRODUCTION (7 +)
Paraphrase
Opinion (ag/ dis) because of main idea 1 and main idea 2.
MAIN BODY 1
Topic sentence (write your main idea 1 here)
Explanation 1
Explanation 2
Explanation 3 (if needed)
Example
MAIN BODY 2
Topic sentence (main idea 2)
Explanation 1
Explanation 2
Explanation 3
Example
Conclusion
Reiterate your opinion with the same ideas.
Discussion Essay (Both the Views/Opinion)

Always remember to include and express your opinion throughout the essay.
This essay contains two opinions and also asks you to give your own
opinion.
1. Introduction (2 sentences):
▪ First, introduce the topic. I often begin with the phrase “People have different
views about…”.
▪ In the second sentence, mention both views and your own opinion. I often use
the word “although” in this sentence e.g. although there are good arguments in
favour of…, I personally believe that…
2. The first view (WHY PEOPLE THINK SO)
3. The second view (I make it clear that I agree with this view)
4. Conclusion: summarize both views and your own opinion
Problem / Solution essay
Introduction – Paraphrase, give one or two possible reasons (highlight only) and
give a solution or else simply mention that this essay would give one or two simple
solutions.
Body paragraph 1 –
1st reason
Explain
Result/example
2nd reason
Explain
Result/example
Body paragraph 2-
Solution to reason 1
How and why it may work
Example to satisfy
Solution 2 to reason 2
How and why it may work
Example again/ result
Conclusion – Summary of the statement and reason/solution brief.
Advantages/Disadvantages essay
In this essay, IELTS asks you a simple question and asks you to give the pros and
cons of the same.
Introduction – Paraphrase and try to include one or two advantages and
disadvantages in the thesis statement.
Body Paragraph 1– First advantage
Why it is an advantage?
How / example/explain
2nd advantage (optional if a 1st point is less explained)
Why it is an advantage and result?
Body Paragraph 2– 1st disadvantage
Why it is so?
How / explain.
2nd disadvantage (optional)
Example, the result?
CONCLUSION– summary of the introduction paragraph
Outweigh Essay:
An outweigh essay is quite similar to advantages or disadvantages essay. The only

difference is you have to mention, what is more, the advantages or disadvantages?
In other words, you need to clear in the introduction itself what is your opinion. Do
you think benefits are more or drawbacks are more?
Structure:
Introduction – Paraphrase the statement, then give an opinion by picking one side
only, mention a reason or two to support your point later.
Body Paragraph 1 – start with the side you don’t support. If you think disadvantages
are less, then start with disadvantages only.
▪ 1st disadvantage (show a probability only, do not claim)
▪ How it is a con
▪ Example, explain
▪ Also, you could mention how this drawback can be countered, which would
make this drawback seem weak.
Body Paragraph 2 – Advantage as mentioned in the introduction
▪ Support it with strong explanation points
▪ An example would make it even stronger
▪ You can mention the 2nd advantage too.
CONCLUSION – reiterate your opinion here and strike your main point here again.

IELTS Essay Writing

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Key Points for Essay Writing:

Discussion Essay (Both the Views/Opinion)

An outweigh essay is quite similar to advantages or disadvantages essay. The only

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