Writing Task 2

Task 2. In IELTs Writing Task 2, you have to write an essay of 4-6 paragraphs in answer to a question. The question will ask you to evaluate or present an idea or solution to a problem. Your aim should be to present a strong argument supported by evidence.

You should spend 6-7 minutes on the first 3 stages of writing: analyzing the question, thinking of ideas, and making a plan. You should spend about 30 minutes writing your essay, and 3-4 minutes checking your essay for mistakes.

If you are aiming for an IELTs band 6.0, it is probably sufficient simply to list your main points along with reasons and examples (Firstly…Secondly…Thirdly…). If you are aiming for a band 6.5 or above, you are more likely to achieve this score if you demonstrate some critical thinking skills. This means discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions and ideas.

If writing in an academic style is new to you, make sure that you do not write in an overly complicated way. Above all, your writing should be clear and easy to read. Avoid writing more than one subordinate clause in each complex sentence. Do not write in a way that is so impersonal that your message is obscured. Do not use a lot of words to express an idea when a few words would be sufficient.

Academic writing values modesty and tolerance of others’ views. Therefore, when expressing your opinion, it is often more effective to use the more tentative or neutral reporting verbs. Rather than writing: I insist that governments do more to protect minority languages, write: I believe that governments should do more… Use the more emphatic verbs for expressing viewpoints that you wish to challenge: Some people insist that there can only be one officially recognised varielty of a language. I would argue, however, that no single varietu shoould be favoured.

You can use a range of expressions to signal to the reader that you are giving an example to illustrate your point. (For example, for instance, another good example of this is). And to signal that you are supporting your point with evidence (Indeed, in fact). The experienced academic reader will normally assume that successive sentences in a passage support or illustrate the points made. For this reason, it is not necessary to use many of these particular signpost expressions to make your passage clear. Two or three in your response will be sufficient in most cases.

Make sure you complete your essay by writing a conclusion, even if this consists of only one sentence. If you are running short of time, it is better to shorten or omit one of your body paragraphs than to fail to complete the task.

One of the most useful strategies for linking points between sentences is to use the demonstrative this or these. This (or these) can be used either on its own or followed by a summary word which captures the main points of the preceding sentence. Study the example below. In the past, many people believed that people over the age of sixty-five were too old to work. This view is no longer widely held.

Remember that some repetition is acceptable and can even be effective as a means of signposting key ideas. If you do not know suitable symonyms for some key terms, it is better to repeat these words than to use expressions that are a poor match or inappropriate to the context.

Remember that readers will assume that each sentence in a paragraph logically develops or supports the preceding sentence unless they are told otherwise. This means that the sentence connectors such as in addition and moreover should be ised dparingly, if at all. On the other hand, logical relationships or indicate a contrast of ideas normally require signposting expressions such as however.

General tips

1. Make good use of modal verbs to frame your ideas. Use:

- will to state your intention: In this essay I will outline three measures that can be taken to safeguard the rights of children.

- emphatic modal verbs such as must and should to express a necessity: In my view, society as a whole must bear some of this responsibility.

- Can and could to make suggestions: Firstly, the government can ensure that its policies take the interests of children into account.

- Would to indicate the consequences of implementing a suggestion: This would ensure that young people are continuously represented in the halls of power.

2. One of the most common errors is that of article use. Often it is difficult to correct because the rules of article use in English are complex. Most mistakes can be avoided by following a few basic guidelines:

- Make generalisations using the plural noun without the: Cars cause pollution.

- Single countable nouns generally require an article.

- Use a if you mean one or any: Most people would buy a new car if they could afford one.

- Use the if you mean a specific one: The car I bought last year…

Use the with:

· Ordinals: The first car I ever bought…

· Superlatives: The best car on the market…

· Words such as only, sole, or same: The only electric car costing less than…

· Adjectives to represent a class of people: The wealthy could afford cars.

3. Make sure that you are familiar with the type of mistakes that you tend to make. Look at previous texts you have written and draw up a list of your four or five most common mistakes. Keep them in mind when you check your work.

4. It is worthwhile learning how to effectively proofread your writing. Always check your work carefully and correct any mistakes you find.

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