IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to write an essay. Let our IELTS Experts walk you through 8 steps that can help you get a band 8. Take a closer look at the assessment criteria, how to structure your essay and common mistakes to avoid.

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To achieve a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria. Let's take a look at these in the table below.

• sufficiently addresses all parts of the task
• presents a well-developed response to the question with relevant, extended and supported ideas

Coherence and cohesion

• sequences information and ideas logically
• manages all aspects of cohesion well
• uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately

• uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings
• skillfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation
• produces rare errors in spelling and/or word formation

Grammatical range and accuracy

• uses a wide range of structures
• the majority of sentences are error-free
• makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies

Using the band descriptors as a guide we are going to go through the 8 steps to get you on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.

We will start with the task response before moving through all the criteria to show you what an examiner will be looking for in your response.

Step 1: Answer is relevant to the question

Answer what you have been asked in the question. Don’t produce an essay that is close to a topic you have previously prepared. Make sure your examples and ideas are relevant. If you generalise too much and are not specific enough this will affect how your ideas are presented to the examiner.

• Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question
• Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic
• Extend your answer to include a number of ideas that will support the question.

• Include irrelevant information
• Over-generalise
• Produce a memorised essay
• Present ‘recent’ research or statistics related to the topic “At least 41% of all men…”

Step 2: Answer all parts of the question

You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band 6 or higher.

Let’s look at some example IELTS question prompts and see how many parts are in each, if you need to present your opinion. Remember, it is very important to present a clear position when answering the statement to show that you understand the question being asked and to keep that position clear throughout the essay.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Yes, agree or disagree, or decide why you agree/disagree equally.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

3-part question - discuss both views as stated

Yes, present your opinion, it may be one of the views or a combination of both.

Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions?

A position is presented on why this is so, the reasons for this issue and solutions to solve the issue.

Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?

Yes, you must clearly say if there are more advantages or more disadvantages.

Why is this so? What effect does it have on the individual and society?

Yes, you must give reasons for the statement and then present the effect it has on 1) the individual and 2) society.

• Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it
• Present your opinion and support it throughout the whole essay
• If asked to present both views, make sure each view is presented equally (similar paragraph length)
• Watch for plurals. If you are asked to give ‘advantages’, you must present a minimum of 2
• Watch for ‘and’. You may need to comment on more than one element
• Write more than 250 words.

• Ignore parts of the question
• Assume that your opinion is clear, use the first person to ensure the examiner knows it’s your opinion ‘I think’
• Tell the examiner what you are going to say and what you have said
• Produce a short essay.

Step 3: Organise your essay logically, with clear progression using linking phrases

Ideas must be expressed and ordered clearly - starting with an introduction and moving through to a conclusion.

If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views. You can then come back to your own opinion and then conclude the essay. This is a logical way to present these ideas.

• Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them
• Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers
• Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem)
• Use punctuation to make your writing coherent
• Make sure your ideas are sequenced correctly
• Make sure your ideas are logical and easy to follow
• Use a separate paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion
• Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area.

• Overuse basic linking words like firstly (instead, try using ‘The first reason for/ The primary reason for this’)
• Start every sentence with a linker (Try to put it in the middle of a sentence. E.g. “Some people believe, however, that individuals must also take responsibility for the environment” or “I believe, on the other hand, that individuals do have a responsibility to…”)
• Use numbers, symbols or abbreviations (1, 2, etc, &, +)
• Use headings or subheadings
• Underline words or phrases
• Use one-sentence paragraphs
• Start every sentence with a linking device.

Step 4: Organise your essays into paragraphs

Use paragraphs to organise your essay into clear parts. Make sure each paragraph contains a clear and developed topic with a minimum of two sentences.

You can use the acronym “PEEL” when writing your essay:

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

You must use enough paragraphs to clearly show a structured response. This will show that you can organise and present your thoughts and ideas logically.

Here are some ideas on how many paragraphs you could include in an essay:

How many paragraphs?

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

1. Introduction
2. Reason why I agree/disagree
3. Another reason why I agree/disagree
4. Concession paragraph reason why I don’t agree/disagree
5. Conclusion

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

1. Introduction
2. One view
3. Other view
4. Your opinion
5. Conclusion

Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions?

1. Introduction
2. Reason why it is so
3. Reasons for this
4. Solutions for this
5. Conclusion

Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages?

1. Introduction (more advantages)
2. Advantages (3)
3. Disadvantages (2)
4. Conclusion

Why is this so? What effect does it have on the individual and the society?

1. Introduction
2. Why this is so
3. Effect/s on individual
4. Effect/s on society
5. Conclusion

• Use paragraphs
• Use linkers between and within your paragraphs
• Leave a space between each paragraph (a line)
• Use a paragraph for each topic
• Use an introduction and a conclusion.

• Use single-sentence paragraphs
• Use very long paragraphs that cover a whole page (IELTS on paper)

Step 5: Use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly

You will see in the band descriptors that a band 8 writer skillfully uses uncommon lexical items. When we learn a language, we use common and uncommon terms. Common terms are words and phrases we use every day to refer to personal experience and daily habits. Uncommon terms are used when we discuss specific topics or when we use idiomatic language (phrasal verbs).

Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented. For example, adolescent/teenager have close meaning and can be used interchangeably, however, toddler/baby have quite different meanings.

Collocation is also mentioned in band 8, and it is assumed that you know which words go together, and which words are suitable to use for different topics.

If you are discussing child crime, you could use the term ‘minor’ as this is a legal term used to describe children under the age of 18.

If you use phrasal verbs, make sure that you are using the correct preposition as it can change the meaning:

throw out/away = discard

throw up = vomit/get sick

Idioms (cultural language) should only be used if you understand them completely and if they fit the topic you are discussing.

• Use precise word choices
• Use language that we use in everyday speech
• Use words that you understand
• Use words and phrases that are related to the topic
• Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally – environmental pollution | major issue | promising future)

• Make spelling mistakes
• Make typos
• Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)
• Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.
• Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’
• Use slang like ‘gonna’
• Use old-fashioned language [the masses| denizens | myopic view | Hitherto]
• Overuse synonyms, one is enough
• Use idioms/clichés
• Use contractions (can’t, doesn’t)

Step 6: Don’t use memorised language, phrases or examples

Don’t use any memorised language, phrases or examples throughout your essay. They are easy for examiners to spot and don’t demonstrate your ability to write fluently.

Overused phrases, idioms, proverbs and clichés should also be avoided, again, they are often used when speaking. These include phrases like:

• The grass is always greener on the other side
• Love is blind
• Off the top of my head
• Old is gold
• A friend in need is a friend indeed

Additionally, the following terms should not be used when writing as they are vague and do not address a task appropriately. You should always be using clear language and make appropriate word choices that will express your ideas clearly.