How to improve IELTS writing

IELTS (Academic) Writing Section comprises of two components –

1. The student has to write an essay on certain information that will be given through a graph/pie chart/flow chart. This essay is to be written within a time span of 20 minutes and should be at least 150 words.

2. The second task is another essay, but here, there is no graph or a pie chart. It’s purely a topical essay and the student has to write at least 250 words in 40 minutes on a given topic.

The examiner will ascertain your vocabulary, sense of grammar and coherence of thoughts. Each and every point that the student makes has to be corroborated by examples, arguments and counter-arguments. The ideas are to flow logically and sequentially. Plain narrative is to be avoided at all costs. Comparisons are always welcome and fetch brownie points.

Words such as “moreover”, “in addition to”, “on the contrary”, “hence”, “therefore”, “so”, etc. increase the argumentative quotient of the writing. A provisional conclusion at the end of each paragraph is definitely welcome. The Introduction of the essay is like a signpost. It must convey the content of the entire passage. However, description of the subject should not be given in the Introduction. Similarly, the Conclusion should wrap up the entire discussion and sum up the arguments.

Repetition of ideas, words and phrases should be strictly avoided. The student should try to re-phrase sentences as many times as possible. This demonstrates the command of the student over the language. A maturity of thought is expected from the student’s writing. Personal examples can be cited in one or two paragraphs to make the discussion lively. A variation of tenses also proves the student’s expertise in English.

In a nutshell, IELTS writing is all about practice. If the above tips are followed, the student is bound to crack the exam with flying colors.

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