The IELTS Academic Writing section requires test-takers to complete two tasks in 60 minutes. Task 1 requires you to write a 150-word report describing a chart, graph, or diagram, and Task 2 requires you to write a 250-word essay on a given topic.
Here some strategies that can help you ace the Academic IELTS Writing section:
- Understand the Task Requirements: Carefully read the instructions for both Task 1 and Task 2 to understand what is expected of you. Pay attention to the word count, format, and the type of information you need to include.
2. Plan and Organize: Before you start writing, spend some time planning and organizing your ideas. Create an outline or a mind map to help you structure your writing and ensure that you cover all the required points.
3. Practice Time Management: The IELTS Writing section is timed, so it is essential to practice time management. Allocate around 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2, leaving a few minutes for proofreading.
4. Use Formal Language: The IELTS Writing section assesses your ability to use formal language effectively. Use appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures to showcase your writing skills.
5. Provide Examples: Use examples to support your arguments and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Try to draw on your personal experiences or knowledge to add depth and context to your writing.
6. Review and Edit: Always leave a few minutes at the end to review and edit your writing. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that you have followed the required format and structure.
7. Seek Feedback: Consider seeking feedback from an English teacher, tutor, or friend who can provide constructive criticism and help you identify areas for improvement.
These strategies when added with only the best IELTS academic writing samples and IELTS study material can help you ace the IELTS Academic Writing section. You can easily find free IELTS study material and IELTS practice tests on most accredited sites and best IELTS coaching centres.
Further on, this article lists down important key points that you need to know and put into practice while preparing for IELTS Writing task 1 and task 2.
What are the specific requirements of academic writing task 1 for IELTS?
Task 1 in the IELTS Academic Writing section requires you to write a report describing a chart, graph, or diagram. The specific requirements for Task 1 may vary slightly depending on the type of chart or graph you are given, but generally, you will be assessed on your ability to:
- Identify and summarize the key features of the chart, graph, or diagram.
- Organize and present the information in a clear and logical way, using appropriate paragraphs and linking words.
- Use accurate and appropriate vocabulary and grammar to describe the information.
- Reach the minimum word requirement of 150 words.
- Use the appropriate format for the type of chart or graph you are given. For example, if you are given a line graph, you will need to describe the trends and patterns shown in the graph.
- Write in an objective and impersonal tone, avoiding personal opinions or biases.
Remember to carefully read the instructions for Task 1 and practice writing reports describing different types of charts, graphs, and diagrams. By familiarizing yourself with the requirements and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance on Task 1 in the IELTS Academic Writing section. Make sure you only use the best academic writing samples that have value of band 8-9 in your preparation.
1st Key point in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Start with an overview
Yes, you should write an overview in IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic. The overview is an important part of your report and gives the reader a quick summary of the key trends, patterns, or features in the chart, graph, or diagram you are describing. It is typically included in the introduction or at the beginning of the report, and provides an overview of the main points that will be discussed in the report.
The overview should be concise and well-organized, highlighting the main features or trends shown in the chart, graph, or diagram. It should not provide specific details or figures, but rather give a general idea of what the reader can expect to see in the report.
Including an overview in your Task 1 report is important because it shows the examiner that you have analyzed the information and are able to identify and summarize the key features of the chart, graph, or diagram. It also helps you to organize your report and present the information in a clear and structured way, which can improve the overall readability and coherence of your writing.
Remember to practice including an overview in your Task 1 reports and ensure that it accurately reflects the main trends or patterns in the chart, graph, or diagram. By mastering the skill of writing an effective overview, you can improve your performance on Task 1 in the IELTS Writing section. The best IELTS academic writing samples make sure each keypoint is covered in their essays.
2nd Key point in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: End with a conclusion
It is not necessary to write a conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic. This task requires you to write a report describing a chart, graph, or diagram, and typically does not require you to provide an opinion or argument. As a result, a conclusion is not necessary to summarize your findings or restate your thesis, as it would be in an essay or other type of writing.
However, if you feel that a conclusion would be appropriate for your report, you can include one. In this case, the conclusion should be brief and to the point, summarizing the main points of your report and providing any final thoughts or observations. It should not introduce any new information or analysis, but rather serve to provide a clear and concise summary of the information presented in the report.
Remember that the main focus of Task 1 is to present and analyze information in a clear and structured way, rather than to provide an argument or opinion. By following the requirements and guidelines for Task 1, and by focusing on organizing and presenting your information effectively, you can improve your performance on this task in the IELTS Writing section. You should use different materials for IELTS preparation published on websites or books.
3rd Key point in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Use a mix of past tenses and present tenses
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, the appropriate tense to use will depend on the type of chart or graph you are describing and the time frame represented in the data. In general, you should use a mix of past tenses and present tenses to describe the data accurately and clearly. Here are some guidelines on which tense to use in different situations:
- For data represented in the past, such as historical trends, use the past tense. For example: “In 2005, the number of students enrolled in the program was 200, while in 2010, it had increased to 500.”
2. For data that is still relevant to the present, use the present tense. For example: “The chart shows that the number of cars on the road has been increasing steadily over the past decade.”
3. Use the present perfect tense when describing changes that have occurred over a period of time leading up to the present. For example: “The number of visitors to the museum has increased steadily over the past five years.”
4. Use the future tense when making predictions or projections based on the data. For example: “It is expected that the number of households using solar power will increase in the coming years.”
5. Use a mix of tenses to describe data that covers multiple time periods. For example, if you are describing a graph that shows data from the past up until the present, you might use a combination of past, present, and present perfect tenses to accurately describe the changes that have occurred over time.
Remember to carefully analyze the data and choose the appropriate tense to accurately describe the information presented in the chart or graph. By using the correct tense, you can help ensure that your report is clear and easy to understand, which can improve your performance on Task 1 in the IELTS Writing section.
What are the key points of Academic Writing Task 2 for IELTS?
When writing an essay for IELTS Writing Task 2, there are several key points you should keep in mind to ensure that you meet the requirements of the task and produce a well-structured, coherent, and persuasive essay.
Understanding the task and creating an outline:
Read the task instructions carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked of you. Identify the topic, the specific question, and the key points you need to address in your essay. Create an outline that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and identify the main points you want to make in each section. Use the body paragraphs of your essay to develop your ideas in detail. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea, and should include supporting evidence, examples, and analysis to back up your argument. Keep your essay focused on the topic and the specific question being asked. Avoid introducing irrelevant information or arguments that do not address the question.
Writing strong introduction and paraphrasing :
Your introduction should be clear and concise, and should provide an overview of the topic and the specific question you are addressing. You should also provide a clear thesis statement that answers the question and previews the main points you will make in your essay. Use clear and concise language to express your ideas and avoid using overly complex vocabulary or convoluted sentences that could confuse the reader. You should also paraphrase the question statement. Paraphrasing the question statement is an important part of demonstrating your language proficiency and understanding of the task.
Here’s an example of how to paraphrase a question statement:
Original question statement: Some people think that children should spend more time playing games and sports, while others believe that they should spend more time studying. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Paraphrased question statement: There is debate about how children should spend their time, with some arguing that playing games and sports is more important, while others maintain that studying should take precedence. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering an opinion.
Using cohesive devices:
Use cohesive devices such as transitional words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a coherent and well-organized essay. Here are some examples of transitional words and phrases you can use in your essay:
- To add information:
- Additionally
- Moreover
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Also
- To contrast information:
- However
- On the other hand
- Nonetheless
- Despite
- In contrast
- To show cause and effect:
- Consequently
- As a result
- Thus
- Therefore
- Hence
- To give an example:
- For instance
- For example
- Specifically
- In particular
- To illustrate
- To sequence events or ideas:
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly
- Next, then
- Later, afterwards
- Finally, in conclusion
- Meanwhile
- To summarize or conclude:
- In summary
- To summarize
- All in all
- In conclusion
- Overall
Where can you find the Best IELTS Academic Writing Samples?
IELTS Academic Writing Samples are an important part of your IELTS preparation, especially for the Writing section of the test. These samples provide you with a clear idea of what is expected of you in the exam and can help you to develop your own writing skills and style. By looking at sample essays, you can gain a better understanding of the format of the Writing section of the test. You can see how the essays are structured and how they meet the criteria for each task. By reading and analyzing sample essays, you can improve your own writing skills. You can see how other writers use language and structure their essays to convey their ideas clearly and effectively.
By analyzing these academic writing sample essays, you can also identify common mistakes made by other test-takers. This can help you avoid making the same mistakes yourself. By comparing your essays to the sample essays, you can identify areas where you need to improve and get guidance on how to do so. By studying them carefully, you can improve your writing skills, understand the format of the exam, and identify areas where you need to improve.
Last but not the least you must invest in some good material for IELTS, which you can find web version published by IELTS online coaching centres like Yuno Learning. These coaching centres also provide Free IELTS preparation material so that their students can get additional support along with their live IELTS classes.
