IELTS Writing - Key Point
- Don’t copy the task’s text or parts of this text into your introductory paragraph. Instead, use synonyms. If you can’t think of any, then try to change word order, change active tense into passive or vice versa. Copied text will not be counted towards your total number of words- Stick to your topic. Your writing should be about the task and things that are related to it. Do not write about something completely unrelated trying to get up to the required 250-word mark — anything unrelated will not be counted towards your total number of words. Improvise, make facts up — as long as it has something to do with the topic of your task.
- Plan your essay in advance — two minutes spent on an outline of your text will help you structure it better. A nice paragraphed text is much easier to read — and it makes writing more pleasant for you too.
Go from general to specifics. Your paragraph opening sentence sets the scene, giving a broad idea of what you will be talking about. The following sentences serve to expand on the topic by providing examples, describing various aspects and so on.
- Do not make any draft versions — you will not have time to copy your draft to the exam sheet. If you are concerned about making mistakes — don’t be. You should be prepared to have a couple of minutes before the end of your exam to proof-read your work. It’s okay to correct your own mistakes — you are not penalized for that as long as it is easy to make out what you have written — so make sure your handwriting is easy to understand
- You can’t afford to spend too much time thinking about the first sentence — the first sentence is the most difficult one. As soon as you have put it behind it gets much easier — trust me. Overcoming writer’s block is a serious challenge.
- If you struggle with your conclusion, consider paraphrasing the main ideas of each paragraph – make sure you do not copy the exact saying but instead use synonyms and different word order.
