Master Your IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay
This guide provides a step-by-step, interactive approach to planning, structuring, and writing a high-scoring IELTS essay. Success starts with a solid plan.
How to Plan in 10 Minutes
Before you write a single sentence, dedicate the first 10 minutes to creating a solid plan. This is the most crucial step to ensure your essay is well-structured and fully answers the question.
First, identify the question type (e.g., Opinion, Discussion, Problem-Solution). Then, break down the prompt into keywords and micro-questions. What specific topics must you address? Make sure you understand every part of the question to avoid going off-topic.
Quickly jot down any ideas, vocabulary, and examples related to the keywords. Think of main arguments for your body paragraphs. Don't censor yourself; just get all your thoughts on paper. You can select the best ones in the next step.
Organize your brainstormed ideas into a four-paragraph structure. This is your roadmap for writing.
- Introduction: Briefly state your thesis.
- Body Paragraph 1: Main idea 1 + supporting example.
- Body Paragraph 2: Main idea 2 + supporting example.
- Conclusion: Summarize your points and restate your thesis.
Key Components of a Strong Essay
Your essay is marked on four equally weighted criteria. Understanding these is essential for a high score. Click on each card to learn more.
Scoring Criteria Distribution
Task Achievement
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Essay Structure Anatomy
A clear, logical structure is non-negotiable. Follow this proven four-paragraph model for clarity and impact. Interact with the examples to see how each part works.
The Introduction
Your intro should be a concise funnel: start broad and narrow down to your specific thesis.
1. Hook/Background: Introduce the topic generally.
2. Paraphrase Question: Restate the question in your own words.
3. Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position and outline your main points.
The Body Paragraphs (PEEL Method)
Each body paragraph should explore one main idea in detail. The PEEL method ensures a logical and well-supported argument.
P - Point: Start with a clear topic sentence stating your main idea.
E - Explanation: Explain your point in more detail. Why is it true?
E - Example: Provide a specific example to support your point.
L - Link: Link the paragraph back to the overall essay question.
The Conclusion
Your conclusion should provide a sense of closure without introducing new information.
1. Summarize Main Points: Briefly summarize the arguments from your body paragraphs.
2. Restate Thesis: Restate your main position in different words.
Refining Your Writing
Elevate your score by focusing on coherence, vocabulary, and grammar. These interactive tools show you how small changes can make a big impact.
Improve Coherence & Cohesion
Linking words (cohesive devices) are the glue that holds your essay together. They guide the reader through your arguments. See how different words change the flow.
The primary benefit of remote work is increased flexibility for employees. Furthermore, it can lead to significant cost savings for companies as they require less office space.
Optimize Vocabulary & Grammar
Using varied vocabulary and complex sentences is key to a higher score. Upgrade the sentence below to see the effect.
Governments should stop people from eating unhealthy food.