IELTS Writing Tips

IELTS writing tips can be helpful for you to score band 8 in the IELTS writing test. IELTS writing is divided into two sections: IELTS Academic writing and IELTS General training writing. The topics in IELTS academic writing are relevant for undergraduate and postgraduate students. IELTS General training writing’s topics are taken from magazines, books, newspapers, company handbooks, guidelines and notices which you could encounter on a daily basis in English speaking countries. 

Our experts designed effective IELTS writing tips which can help you to crack the IELTS writing test. The tips given in this article enhance your writing skills and time management skills. The duration of the IELTS writing test is 60 minutes. Use the IELTS writing tips and tricks in your IELTS preparation to complete the writing test within the time limit. 

Check IELTS writing task 1 tips to tackle task 1 writing challenges.

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IELTS Writing Test Format

The IELTS writing format given in the points below, 

• Format of the paper: Two writing tasks will be given which have to be completed.
• Duration: 60 minutes or 1 hour
• Number of questions: 2
• Answering: You have to write your answers on the answer sheet. Notes or bullet points are not an acceptable form of answers.

Know more about the IELTS band descriptors to get yourself familiarized about the marking process. 

IELTS Academic Writing Test Format

There are two forms of academic writing, writing task 1 and writing task 2. In task 1, you will be presented with a graph, table, diagram or chart and asked to describe and summarize it in your own words. In task 2, the questions will be in the form of point of view, argument or problem and you have to respond to it in the form of an essay. The word limit for academic writing essays is 150 words. 

• Task 1 question types: Pie chart, Bar chart, Line graph, Table, Process diagram, Map and Multiple graphs
• Task 2 essay types: Opinion essay, Discussion essay, Problem solution essay, Advantages & disadvantages essay, and Double question essay

IELTS General Training Writing Test Format

IELTS General training writing comprises two parts: Writing task 1 and Writing task 2. In task 1, you will be given a situation and you have to write an informal, semi formal and formal letter as a response. Task 2 is similar to academic writing task 1 but the topics will be of general interest. The word limit for general training writing is 250 words. 

• Task 1 letter types: Informal letters, Semi formal letters, and Formal letters
• Task 2 essay types: Opinion essay, Discussion essay, Problem solution essay, Advantages & disadvantages essay, and Double question essay

Read IELTS writing task 2 tips to improve your writing band score.

IELTS Writing Tips And Tricks

1. Read the question carefully

Read the question properly and comprehensively. Understand all aspects of the question. This understanding is the base for you to answer the question. If you misunderstand or have a lack of understanding on the question, then your band score will be affected. So, be attentive while reading the question to understand it in the proper sense.

2. Plan your essay

Before writing an essay, plan the points in your mind. Structuring the essay prior can really prime you to write an essay properly. So, planning your essay appropriately before writing an answer can get you a good score. You can plan out your essay on the question paper, no additional paper will be given for planning the essay. 

3. Cover all aspects of the question

In both academic and general training sections, task achievement or response is one of the band descriptors. So, it is important to cover all aspects of the task. Make sure to address all parts of the question to satisfy this band descriptor. 

4. Write on your own

Write the answers in your own language. Don’t use the words from the question exactly, the score will not be the same. Writing in your own language can encourage you to articulate well and use new vocabularies. 

5. Do Brainstorm

Brainstorming essentially means generating ideas in your mind. After you read the question, the ideas could arise in your mind which you have to map out to bring out in the form of an essay. Use the 5 minutes to write out the ideas and thoughts so it will be helpful while you are writing an essay. 

6. Avoid repetition

As the lexical resource is one of the band descriptors which carries 25% of  your total score, you have to use a good range of vocabulary. So try to introduce new ideas and words instead of repeating the same words and ideas. 

7. Use the standard essay structure

By following the standard essay structure - Introduction, Main body paragraphs and conclusion. You can easily form a basic structure in your mind and fill the ideas within that would make the process easier. 

8. Check the grammar and spelling

Grammatical range and accuracy is another important band descriptor. Use the simple and complex sentences and check the grammatical structure and sentence structure while writing an essay. Spelling also must be correct. You can use either American or British mode of spelling. You will lose marks if you make grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. 

9. Remember the word limit

In academic writing tasks, you have to write at least 150 words, whereas in general training writing tasks, you need to write at least 250 words. You will be penalized for writing less than the mentioned word limit. 

10. Write in a coherent and cohesive manner

Write coherently, which means you have to organize the ideas and link them together in a logical sequence. And, use the appropriate cohesive devices such as logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions which makes the referential relationships within and between the sentences in a clear manner. And, also remember that coherence and cohesiveness is one of the IELTS writing band descriptors. 

11. Use varied vocabulary

Learn new vocabulary in the first place, when you are doing IELTS preparation. And, also try to include those vocabularies while you are doing practice. Thus, you can add new and a variety of vocabularies when you are attempting the IELTS writing exam. Vocabulary also contributes to the band score.

12. Do the Practice

According to the research, practice testing is the best technique to learn anything faster, IELTS writing essays and letters is not an exception. So, attempt a number of essays and letters and get feedback from mentors or correct yourself. It emphasizes the strengths and weaknesses of your writing skills. So, you can focus on the weaknesses which increase the speed of your learning rate.

13. Double check the answers

After you have completed your IELTS writing test, double check your answer sheet. Check whether you covered all parts of the task or not. Especially consider the grammatical structures, sentence structures and vocabulary which all contribute to the final band score. 

14. Do not include irrelevant information

If you include information in your essay that is not in the charts or graph, the examiner will consider it as unnecessary and relevant. It could even lower your writing band score.

15. Don’t try to give best opinion or ideas

IELTS examiners will not assess your opinion or ideas, instead they focus on how well you are able to use the English language in all its aspects including grammar, vocabulary, etc. Hence, focus on writing English in a good manner rather than spending too much time on generating new and best opinions or ideas. 

Check out IELTS writing vocabulary to enhance your vocabulary knowledge required for obtaining good band score.

Conclusion

The IELTS writing tips and tricks provided in this article will help you to perform better in the actual IELTS writing exam. IELTS students benefited from these writing tips. Include these tips in your IELTS preparation that could make you attain a high band score.