Writing an IELTS essay is something which the students usually have hiccups and misconceptions about.I wouldn’t say it is easy but it is possible to score band 7 and above if we know how to frame the essay.
To know what to write in an essay first let us understand on what basis British council or IDP expects us to write:The evaluation criteria for an IELTS essay.They include :
- Task response or Task Achievement(25%)
- Coherence and Cohesion(25%)
- Lexical resource/Vocabulary(25%)
- Grammar(25%)
Task response or Task achievement : the extent to which the exam question is correctly answered.It is interpreted differently for Task 1 and Task 2.For Task 1 it can be clear depiction of the trends in the graph or pie chart including accuracy of the data, for Task 2 it depends on how you are answering the question stem .
Let us consider the example given below to understand what parts comprise the question.
Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
The Writing task 2 question is usually divided into two parts: the first part is the statement that throws light on the topic at hand while the second part the question stem plays the crucial role for it is to this you need to decide how you want to answer.We are free to choose agree or disagree as long as we have enough points to support ourselves.It is always good to brainstorm which side we take and what points we have to support our stance rather than starting to write straight away.A good essay should have at least two examples for supporting the action statement or your stance. Always read the question at hand properly and never start writing without understanding the question.For instance, most of the students in my classes would write:Yes I agree that alternative forms of medicine are useful………Now let us take a look at the statement in the question once again, the last part of it speaks in negative tone about the alternative forms of medicine describing them as ineffective and dangerous.It is to this, the question stem asks whether you agree or disagree?
If we agree we need to support our statement with disadvantages or negative points about alternative forms because we are agreeing its dangerous or ineffective and if we disagree we need to support our stance with positive points or benefits of alternative forms.Another common mistake students make is not writing in terms of the question asked….Some students write as…….. In my opinion alternative forms of medicine are helpful or the advantages of alternative forms of medicine are…….which was never mentioned in the question stem rather the same positive or negative points can be stated in the form of whether you agree or disagree.
Test takers also need to bear in mind that there are different types of IELTS essays like Opinion essays,Discussion essays,Agree /disagree, Opinion essays,Solution essays.Advantage and disadvantage essays.
So the way you approach each of these essays is different especially in the way you write your introduction.However the organization of essay into Intro ,body and conclusion is still the same.
Coherence & Cohesion: Coherence is connecting our ideas through logical sequencing in terms of paragraphs at the idea level while cohesion is the flow that we maintain through out the essay and the connectivity in terms of sentences .Coherence refers to the flow of writing as to how well your ideas are sequenced into paragraphs.Most of the students directly start the introduction with advantages or disadvantages,sometimes the paragraphs contain both advantages and disadvantages popping up alternatively.For logical sequencing or cohesion we can use linking words/cohesive devices which also add more variety to your sentence structures.The most commonly used words would be ‘and’ ,’but’. For instance:a common reply to the question which is your favorite pet and why?Most of the students would answer:A dog is my favorite pet because he is friendly and also dogs are more loyal when compared to cats.This can also be written as:Dog is my favorite pet as dogs are friendly moreover they are loyal to their owners than felines.Similarly the words ‘nevertheless’ ,’despite’ and’ however’ can be used instead of’ but’ depending on the sentence.Excessive use or inaccurate use of cohesive devices is not encouraged.Adequate and appropriate use is essential for higher scores.
I always recommend 👉 https://ieltsliz.com/ for the best IELTS lessons and tips.Also do check👉https://ieltsliz.com/linking-words-for-writing/ for the best use of cohesive devices.
Grammar :In terms of grammatical range and accuracy as to what is expected on IELTS test from test taker can be checked in the links mentioned below,👉https://www.britishcouncil.it/en/exam/ielts/prepare/videos/english-grammar
Lexical resource:Refers to the range of vocabulary that can be used in speaking or a writing task .Use of simple vocabulary is always recommended but avoid monotony of words.Do not use complex language making it difficult for the examiner to understand your ideas .
👉https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_speaking_2_-_lexical_resource.pdf .
Here is a list of few words and their synonyms that we commonly come across on IELTS essays
Please do remember do not blindly use the synonyms ,use them as per the context of the sentences.
- Accept: receive, take, gain, obtain, acquire.
- Advantages: merits, benefits, profits, gains.
- Authority: power, command, jurisdiction, control, supremacy.
- Available: obtainable, accessible and handy.
- Barriers: restraints, impediments, obstacles, hindrances.
- Because: since, for the reason that, owing to.
- Beautiful: attractive, pretty, handsome, alluring, gorgeous.
- Change: alter, adjust, adapt, amend, modify, refine.
- Citizens: citizenry, public, populace.
- Country: state, nation, realm, principality, kingdom.
- Difficult: hard, strenuous, arduous, laborious, painful.
- Disadvantages: drawbacks, demerits.
- Easy: effortless, painless, simple, facile, trouble free.
- Eager: keen, desirous, impatient, anxious, longing.
- Elderly: aged, old, geriatric.
- Feasible: realistic, viable, sensible, and reasonable.
- Government: administration ,executive ,regime ,authority.
- Happy: cheerful, jovial, jolly, glad, delighted.
- Important: salient, crucial, vital, significant, essential.
- Improve: enhance, upgrade, better, ameliorate.
- Influence: effect, impact.
- Interesting: fascinating, enthralling, engrossing, riveting, compelling.
- Similar: alike, corresponding, parallel, identical, same, equivalent.
- Use: utilize, employ, make use of, wield, ply.
- Youngster: youth, juvenile, teenager, adolescent.
The essay should be organized accordingly :
- Introduction:Paraphrasing the essay question with your view or answer to the question.
- Body paragraph 1:One supporting statement or reason no.1,elaborate on that and give some examples for the same or advantages of a particular topic at hand
- Body paragraph 2:One supporting statement or reason no. 2 to support your stance or disadvantages in case of an advantage disadvantage essay with appropriate examples .
- Conclusion:Summarizing or restating what you have written in the previous paragraphs and what made you consider your view which you have already stated in the introduction
*Never submit an essay with out a conclusion.
*Your introduction and conclusion should not have different opinions.*
*Take time to reread/proof read your essay before submission of your essay /test paper.
Hope this is helpful.Happy writing👍
SVADHYAY 