The Ultimate Guide To Ielts Writing

1. Grasp the IELTS Writing Basics: Format, Modules, and Tasks.

IELTS stands for INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM.

Understand the test. IELTS assesses English proficiency for study or migration abroad. It has two formats: Academic (for higher education/professional registration) and General Training (for migration). Both formats include Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking modules.

Writing module structure. The Writing module is 60 minutes long and consists of two tasks. Task 1 requires a minimum of 150 words, and Task 2 requires a minimum of 250 words. Task 2 carries almost double the weight of Task 1 in the final writing band score.

Task variations. Academic Task 1 involves describing visual data (charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, maps, processes). General Training Task 1 requires writing a letter (formal, informal, or semi-formal). Task 2 for both formats is an essay on a specific topic, requiring candidates to formulate and develop a position.

2. Know How Examiners Score Your Writing: The Four Criteria.

IELTS writing is assessed on four criteria.

Core assessment areas. Both Task 1 and Task 2 are evaluated based on four key criteria, each contributing equally to the task score. Understanding these criteria is crucial for achieving a high band score. The criteria are:

• Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Criterion focus. Task Achievement/Response assesses how well you address the prompt, cover key features/ideas, and support your points. Coherence and Cohesion evaluate the logical flow of your ideas and the effective use of linking devices. Lexical Resource measures your range and accuracy of vocabulary. Grammatical Range and Accuracy assess the variety and correctness of your sentence structures.

Meet minimums. To be assessed fully, ensure you meet the minimum word count for each task (150 for Task 1, 250 for Task 2). Failing to do so will result in a penalty and a lower score, regardless of the quality of your writing in other areas.

3. Understand the Examiner's Process and Scoring Calculation.

IELTS examiners follow a 9 step process when they mark the IELTS writing scripts of candidates.

Systematic evaluation. Examiners assess scripts criterion by criterion, starting with Task Achievement/Response. They match the writing features to the band descriptors, checking for both positive features at a target band and ensuring the writing doesn't fall below that level or exceed the next. This ensures a standardized and fair assessment.

Penalties applied. Examiners check for under-length responses and apply penalties accordingly. They also note if the response is off-topic or appears memorized, which can significantly impact the score. Word count is checked carefully, with specific rules for hyphenated words, contractions, numbers, and symbols.

Overall score calculation. The final writing band score is calculated by averaging the scores from Task 1 and Task 2, with Task 2 having double the weight. For example, if Task 1 scores 6.0 and Task 2 scores 7.0, the calculation is (6.0 + 7.0 + 7.0) / 3 = 6.66, rounded up to 7.0. If Task 1 is 7.0 and Task 2 is 6.0, it's (7.0 + 6.0 + 6.0) / 3 = 6.33, rounded down to 6.0.

4. Master Word Count Rules and Avoid Penalties.

The most important information for all the candidates is about the under length penalty.

Minimums are mandatory. You must write at least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2. While there's no upper limit, writing significantly more than required isn't necessary and can lead to errors. Falling short by even a few words can result in a band penalty.

Counting specifics. Be aware of how words are counted:

• Hyphenated words (ex-student) count as one word.
• Contractions (I'm) count as one word.
• Numbers with symbols ($50, 40%) count as one word.
• Numbers written out (50 dollars, 40 percent) count as multiple words.
• Symbols and abbreviations (i.e., BC) count as one word.
• Dates (31-01-2013) count as one word; (31st January) two words; (31st January, 2013) three words.
• Salutations and names in General Training letters are NOT counted.
• Titles or headings are NOT counted.

Avoid copying. Do not copy sentences directly from the prompt, as these words will not be counted towards your total. Paraphrase the prompt in your introduction.

5. Structure Academic Task 1 for Success: Report Key Features.

Academic writing is report writing.

Report, don't explain. Academic Task 1 requires you to describe and summarize the main features of a visual representation (graph, chart, table, diagram, map, process). Do not explain why something happened, predict future trends, or give opinions. Stick strictly to the data presented.

Standard structure. A high-scoring response typically follows a clear structure:

• Opening Paragraph (1-2 sentences): Paraphrase the prompt to state what the visual shows.
• Body Paragraphs (2-4 paragraphs): Describe the most important features, trends, or comparisons. Group related data logically.
• Closing Paragraph (1-2 sentences): Summarize the overall trend or main point (optional for processes if word count is met).

Highlight key data. Identify the most significant changes, highest/lowest points, main comparisons, or key stages in a process. Do not attempt to describe every single data point, especially in complex visuals. Use appropriate vocabulary for trends (increase, decrease, fluctuate), comparisons (whereas, compared to), or processes (firstly, next, finally).

6. Structure General Training Task 1 for Success: Write Effective Letters.

The General Training writing task 1 asks the candidates to write a letter in about 20 minutes.

Address the prompt fully. The letter prompt provides the recipient, the reason for writing, and three specific bullet points to include. Ensure you address all three bullet points adequately, dedicating roughly a paragraph to each.

Choose the right tone. The tone (register) of your letter must match the recipient:

• Formal: To an unknown person or someone in authority (e.g., manager, officer). Use formal language, avoid contractions.
• Informal: To a friend, family member, or close colleague. Use informal language, contractions are acceptable.
• Semi-formal: To someone you know professionally but not intimately.

Follow letter structure. A standard letter format includes:

• Salutation (e.g., Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr. Smith, Dear John)
• Opening Paragraph: State the reason for writing and introduce the first bullet point.
• Body Paragraphs (2 paragraphs): Elaborate on the second and third bullet points.
• Closing Line: State what action you expect or express hope (e.g., I look forward to hearing from you, Hope to see you soon).
• Sign-off (e.g., Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, Best regards, Cheers)
• Your Name

7. Structure Task 2 Essays for Success: Argue Your Point Logically.

In both Academic and General Training modules Task 2 requires the candidates to formulate and develop a position in relation to a given prompt in the form of a question or statement.

Develop a clear position. Task 2 is an essay where you must present your viewpoint on a given topic. Your position should be clear throughout the essay, especially in the introduction and conclusion. Support your ideas with evidence, examples, and reasoning.

Standard essay structure. A high-scoring essay follows a logical flow:

• Introduction (3-4 sentences): Provide background information on the topic and state your thesis (your main argument or position).
• Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs): Develop your main points. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence and be supported by explanations, examples, or evidence.
• Conclusion (3-4 sentences): Summarize the main points discussed in the body and restate your thesis in different words. Do not introduce new ideas in the conclusion.

Address the demand. Pay close attention to the specific question asked in the prompt (e.g., "To what extent do you agree or disagree?", "Discuss both views and give your opinion", "What are the causes and solutions?"). Your essay structure and content must directly address this demand.

8. Develop Ideas and Support Them Effectively (Task Response).

Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from the candidate's own experience.

Relevance is paramount. Ensure all your ideas and supporting details are directly relevant to the essay prompt. Off-topic content, no matter how well-written, will result in a low score for Task Response.

Elaborate and support. Don't just list points. Explain each idea fully and provide specific support. This could include:

• Examples (from personal experience, general knowledge, or hypothetical situations)
• Facts or statistics (even if invented, they should be plausible)
• Logical reasoning and explanation
• Comparison or contrast
• Appeals to authority (e.g., "studies show...")

Maintain a clear position. For opinion essays (agree/disagree), your stance should be evident throughout. For discussion essays, present both sides fairly before giving your opinion. For problem/solution or cause/effect essays, clearly outline the issues and proposed remedies or consequences.

9. Link Your Ideas Coherently and Cohesively.

This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language.

Logical flow (Coherence). Ensure your ideas are presented in a logical order that is easy for the reader to follow. Organize your paragraphs around distinct points or aspects of the topic. Within paragraphs, arrange sentences logically to build your argument.

Connecting words (Cohesion). Use a variety of cohesive devices to link sentences and paragraphs smoothly. These include:

• Linking words and phrases (e.g., Furthermore, However, In addition, Consequently, To conclude)
• Pronouns (e.g., he, she, it, they, this)
• Conjunctions (e.g., and, but, so)
• Repetition of key ideas or synonyms

Avoid over-reliance. While linking words are important, avoid using too many or using them incorrectly. This can make your writing sound unnatural or forced. Focus on the logical connection of ideas first, and then use cohesive devices to highlight these connections.

10. Use Varied and Accurate Vocabulary (Lexical Resource).

This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate has used and the acc(Jracy and appropriateness of those words in connection with the specific task.

Range and precision. Aim to use a wide range of vocabulary, including less common words and idiomatic expressions where appropriate. However, accuracy is key; do not use words if you are unsure of their meaning or correct usage. The word choice must be appropriate for the specific task and context.

Avoid repetition. Try to use synonyms or rephrase ideas to avoid repeating the same words or phrases too often. This demonstrates a broader vocabulary range. For example, instead of repeatedly using "increase," use "rise," "grow," "soar," "climb," etc., depending on the context.

Appropriate language. Use vocabulary that fits the task type. For example, use trend vocabulary for line graphs, comparison vocabulary for bar charts, and proportion vocabulary for pie charts in Academic Task 1. Use formal or informal language appropriate for the letter recipient in General Training Task 1.

11. Demonstrate Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the candidate's grammatical resource as manifested in the candidate's writing at the sentence level.

Variety is key. To score well, demonstrate the ability to use a range of sentence structures, not just simple sentences. Include:

• Simple sentences
• Compound sentences (joined by conjunctions like and, but, so)
• Complex sentences (containing subordinate clauses, often starting with words like although, because, since, while, if, whether, which, who, that)

Accuracy matters. While range is important, grammatical accuracy is equally crucial. Errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling can make your writing difficult to understand and lower your score. Pay attention to:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Verb tenses
• Article usage (a, an, the)
• Prepositions
• Punctuation (commas, periods, etc.)

Proofread carefully. Always leave time to check your writing for grammatical errors. Even small mistakes can accumulate and affect your score. Focus on common error types you tend to make.

12. Apply Strategies and Practice Consistently.

I strongly insist that the candidates should refer the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors given at the end of this book before moving to the next page.

Preparation is vital. Before writing, spend time analyzing the prompt, brainstorming ideas, and planning your structure (around 10 minutes for Task 2, 3-4 minutes for Task 1). This prevents off-topic responses and ensures a logical flow.

Practice under timed conditions. Write practice responses within the time limits (20 minutes for Task 1, 40 minutes for Task 2). This helps you manage your time effectively and write fluently under pressure.

Review and refine. After writing, spend time editing your work (3-5 minutes). Check for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice. Ensure you have addressed all parts of the prompt and met the word count.

Learn from samples. Study sample answers to understand how high-scoring responses are structured and what kind of language and ideas are used. Analyze the band descriptors to understand what examiners are looking for.

Last updated: May 13, 2025