IELTS writing has two parts, the first part contributes 33% to the total score and the second part, the essay, counts for 67%.  The part two essay (250 words) is the same for both the Academic and General Test.

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For writing part two, you need to follow this rigid template, introduction, body paragraph 1, body paragraph 2, additional body paragraph only if required, followed by a conclusion.

The introduction starts with a statement sentence. This is a general, broad statement about the topic. Next you repeat the question, you "paraphrase" the question, use some of the same words, but change the order and replace words with similar ones where possible. The idea here is to get a 100% error free paragraph and also to add clarity to what you will write in the body paragraphs. Finally you will make a statement about what the essay is going to say. For example " I agree with the opinion that ...... , but this essay will also discuss the exceptions:".

Now you write body paragraph 1, this paragraph must support your chosen opinion.

Now write body paragraph 2, it should discuss the opposing opinion or the exceptions.

Never mix opposing opinions in the same paragraph, keep them separate,.

Finally your conclusion, this should be reasonably short. A good sensible conclusion can add a lot to the mark. The body paragraphs should be reasonably simple and logical, even though they do not need to be technically correct. The conclusion is where you can try to to come up with something  brilliant,  but please keep all the preceding paragraphs simple, clear and logical.

Do not try to write the whole essay in one go, first write out the introduction, then just list the points for the body paragraph, using two or three words  per item and maybe jot down a thought or two for the conclusion.

Now come back and write your essay from the framework you created. Do not use a spell checker or any computer assistance while you write, you do not have that help in the real IETS exam.  Then send me the essay, I will give it an IELTS grade and we will discuss it during our class.

It is very hard to get a high score for part two writing on exam day, under pressure, writing about a random topic without today's  usual computer aids and in only 40 minutes. Believe me, none of the "model answers" you see on other web sites were written under the harsh, real life exam conditions. 

You will do well to follow the advice of A J Hoge, one of the world's best English teachers, and I quote, "most English learners write badly because they make their writing overly complex. They are trying to sound “intellectual” but instead end up sounding unintelligible. The solution is to  use clear, simple, direct sentences. You express your ideas as simply as possible. Short, direct sentences are best. Break long sentences into a series of short, simple sentences. Model your writing on journalists and Hemingway rather than on professors, journal articles, or other academic material. Good writing is a process of cutting and simplifying. Your goal, therefore, is to communicate your ideas using as few words as possible.

The simpler you make your writing, the more clear and powerful it will be.

That sounds easy to do, but most students struggle to break old habits, but with some guidance  and an eye on a high IELTS score, the old ways can make way for the new.

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Now for the good news, with a little effort, you can ace  the IELTS writing exam part one ! There are only six types of questions that are used,  three types  graphs, a data table, a map or a procedure. Again you follow a structure, write a  detailed introduction that used every word and bit of information that is shown. Then you have to know how to "read" the graph, I will teach you ! Together we will look at many graphs used in previous IELTS exams. After a while you will be able to read a graph or data table with just one glance. You will not just transpose numbers from graph into sentence format, you will tell the story of the graph and back it up with numbers. Many of my students get very high scores in part one writing and are able to significantly improve their overall writing score. 

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Just like all aspects of IELTS, careful attention must be paid to the question, and effort must be made to avoid errors wherever possible. 

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                                                  I LOOK FORWARD TO MARKING YOUR ESSAY !