HOW TO APPROACH WRITING TASK 2???



Writing task 2 counts more towards your overall IELTS Band Score (than writing task 1). It is, therefore, important that you pay extra attention on this task.

You will be required to write a 250 words essay: an argument relating to a topic, or an account of a situation relating to a topic.

When performing this task, you should follow a strictly formal essay writing format. To successfully accomplish this task, it is vital that you 'brainstorm' for ideas. Next, you should present your ideas in an organized and effective manner.  

In order to get a feel of the IELTS essay writing process, you can break it down into certain steps:

1. Analyze the Question

2. Brainstorm for Ideas

3. Plan the paragraphs

4. Write the essay down

5. Check for errors. 

Note: Try not to be personal with the writing (and DO NOT USE SLANGS). What you can do instead, is, use your experiences to talk about the topic generally.

As you are practicing for your IELTS, it might be a good thing to keep yourself up to date with the controversial issues discussed in the media these days. BBC, CNN, latest articles of general interest on the internet: these can be effective sources (of information) for you to help you improve your writing skills. 

After you have brainstormed for ideas and planned you paragraphs, you must write the information down on the answer sheet provided to you. 

While writing the essay, follow the three part essay structure: Introduction, body, conclusion

INTRO

Argument-type question: (paraphrased) Background Statement + Thesis Statement

Account-type question: (paraphrased) Topic Sentence + Thesis Statement (your opinion or perspective)

Note: It is important that you to clearly state your opinion or perspective in the introductory paragraph. This will give your essay a sense of direction. 

BODY 

You have to organize your ideas into body paragraphs. It is advised that you have at least two or three paragraphs in the body part of your essay. This should give you enough room to develop and organize the key idea of your essay. 

Have a road map similar to this one: 1. Introduce your ideas, 2.Give example(s), and 3. Support with additional fact/s and/or detail(s). 

In order to join ideas-within a paragraph-together, you should make use of linking words (connective words). Linking words facilitate cohesion; its correct application, helping show off your writing abilities. This will also assist you to obtain a higher writing IELTS band score. 

List of linking words:
However
Furthermore
As an outcome
And
Although
Nevertheless
Even though
But
Despite
Consequently
Even if
Also
Moreover
In addition
Not only
Too

For your second idea: Change your paragraph, introduce your second idea, give example/s to support your idea, and then elaborate on the idea with additional facts or details.
Repeat the same procedure for your third idea. 

It is important that the final sentence of your body paragraph be informational. It should work as a closure (to the essay’s Body), and also a transition between the body and the conclusion that is about to follow. 

CONCLUSION

An effective and informational conclusion to sum up your Writing Task 2 is vital to achieving a higher Writing Test Band Score. In order to keep your conclusion catchy, it is strongly advised that you have no more than two sentences in your concluding paragraph. 

As a rule, begin your conclusion with one of the following concluding phrases: to conclude, to sum up, in general and in conclusion. 

Use grammatically correct conditional sentence(s) to show off your writing skills. Making use of a conditional sentence to pinpoint a probable outcome of your recommendation and/or suggestion gives more leverage to your conclusion, thus, making your essay even stronger. 


Condition (words and phrases):
If
Unless
Weather
Depending on
Provided that
                                                                   
Example (conditional sentence): 
In conclusion, if the problem of school-going teenagers abusing drugs is not combated, they will keep performing poorly in school, and as a result maintaining a good G.P.A will become increasingly difficult.




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