Tips for preparing IELTS Writing

◊ Familarise yourself with the different types of visual

Task 1 requires the candidates to analyse and describe different types of visuals, e.g. a line graph or a table. Since you do not know which type you will see on the day of the test, be prepared for all types. Study the past questions and sample answers. If time allows, practice writing for all types. Be aware that IELTS tests exam skills as well as language skills. Knowing the structure and exact language used for describing a certain type of diagram enables you to give a quality answer in a shorter time.

◊ Analyse before writing

One of the most common mistakes made by IELTS candidates is that they answer the questions without first analysing them. If you miss out our some key information, you may misinterpret the question and end up using valuable time revising the answer. Start with a deep breath and read the text carefully to see how it relates to the images. Understanding the link between the text and images will help you craft a more descriptive answer.

◊ Begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion

The first, introductory paragraph should be only ONE sentence. Here, remember the WHAT-WHERE-WHEN logic: the intro should say WHAT the graph illustrates, as well as WHERE and WHEN the data are set. Usually, some or all of this information can be found in the topic. However, remember to avoid using the exact wording. It is better to paraphrase or use synonyms. After writing two or more body paragraphs, write a conclusion. It can be one sentence long, but it needs to summarise your passage. Like the introduction, try to paraphrase and vary the sentence structure. Good and clear writing will demonstrate your mastery of grammar and range of vocabulary.

◊ Mention only important features

Focus on the data related to the question. You may need to analyse the data by providing a summary, comparison or trend. You will be assessed by your ability to group data from graphs and tables. Practice this by looking for similarities, maximums, minimums, and data points in graphs and tables.

Unlike Task 2, you do not need to generate ideas or give explanations. Just describe the data provided.

◊ Time management

The Task 1 answer should take you no more than 20 minutes. Do not overrun or you will lose time for the more important Task 2. Moreover, remember that you need time for planning and proofreading.

◊ Make sure your answer is relevant and specific

IELTS is a language test, not a knowledge test. The examiner assesses you in terms of analytical power as reflected in your use of English. Don’t try to produce a memorized sample essay on a similar topic or present a lot of data from memory. Marks may actually be deducted if some of the content looks irrelevant to the question given. The examiner looks for logical arguments and good language use, not content knowledge. Focus on demonstrating your writing skills, rather than your wealth of knowledge or innovative ideas. Moreover, what you write should be specific. Don’t over-generalise.

◊ Make sure you answer all parts of the question

Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. Plan ahead so that you answer all the parts and spend your time in a reasonably balanced manner.

◊ Work on coherence and cohesion

Use a range of linking words appropriately to connect and sequence your ideas. Think about the relationship between things clearly before you put them into words. Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area.

◊ Organise your essays into paragraphs – the “PEEL” structure

Point – introduce your topic or topic sentence

Example – an example that supports your point

Explain – why this evidence supports your point

Link – transition to the next topic or paragraph

 ◊ Impression matters

If two candidates demonstrate the same level of English language proficiency, the one with better handwriting and free from careless mistakes tends to get a better score. If your handwriting is not very neat, practise writing legibly at a relatively high speed. Moreover, always allow time to proofread your written work. Although you may not be able to avoid every mistake, correcting errors will make your essay look more proficient in a matter of minutes.

Therefore, a rule of thumb is to write in pencil, so that you can simply erase a mistake instead of scribbling which can distract the reader.