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What advice would you give someone about the IELTS Writing exam? Discuss in pairs.
Possible topics:
- Timing
- Making sure you answer the question
- Coming up with ideas
- Planning and paragraphing
- Introduction
- Giving your opinion
- Supporting your opinion
- Summary/ Conclusion
- diting
- !um"er o# words
- $ppropriate nglish/ $cademic nglish
hoose one o! the possible IELTS Writing "art Two tactics below and as# your partner$s
opinion on it. Try to extend the discussion% e.g. by as#ing them to &usti!y their opinion% then
switch roles.
Before the exam
%earn model answers and &ust change a #ew sentences to #it the question in the
e'am
(ecide on one paragraph structure )e*g* introduction/ good things/ "ad things/ con-
clusion+ to use whatever the question is in the e'am
Planning and paragraphing
,nderline important words in the question
(ecide on the paragraph structure right away then "rainstorm ideas
-rainstorm "e#ore you decide on the paragraph structure
Choose a less o"vious way o# organising the paragraphs
Stop "rainstorming when you have three ideas per paragraph
Continue "rainstorming i# your ideas seem silly
Spend ./ minutes planning
$lways stick to #our paragraphs
Make sure the paragraphs are similar lengths
$void one sentence paragraphs
Introduction
,se "asically the same introduction paragraph whatever the question is
Give your own opinion in the introduction
nd the introduction with a sentence that e'plains the structure o# the essay
Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com 2012
Writing
0rite views which you don1t really have
Make up data to support your arguments
Make up quotes to support your arguments
Make up personal e'perience to support your argument
,se lots o# linking phrases )23n the other hand4 etc+
0rite as much as you can
,se lots o# passives
$void 2I45 2me4 and 2my4
onclusion
0rite the conclusion that what you have written leads to rather than your real own
opinion
,nless it is really o"vious5 e'plain why you have drawn those conclusions #rom the
things you have written
I# you1ve already given your opinion in the introduction5 write a summary rather than
a conclusion
Editing
%eave #ive minutes #or editing
Make sure your work is really neat
,se an eraser #or any mistakes
6ewrite words that might "e di##icult to read "ecause o# your handwriting etc
Count the e'act num"er o# words
$dd another sentence at the end i# you are short o# words
Insert e'tra sentences with an arrow to improve the structure or reach the minimum
num"er o# words
$dd more comple' language while you edit
Useful language
Initial !uestion
(o you think that people should78
0ould you advise someone to78
0ould you recommend78
(o you think it is a good idea to78
0hat is your opinion on78
0hat do you think a"out the idea o#78
"ollow up !uestions
In my own e'perience57
(o you have personal e'perience o# this8
0hy do #eel that way8
$re there any particular reasons #or that8
-ut isn1t it also true that78
Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com 2012
's# your teacher about any o! the points you aren$t sure about.
What language did you use to give your opinion in the discussion above? What other
language could you have used?
(ow did you support your arguments? What other support could you have given?
)rainstorm use!ul phrases !or giving opinions in the discussion you &ust had*
Giving strong opinions/ 'pressing certainty
Giving weak opinions/ 'pressing uncertainty/ Speculating
Giving your e'perience
Giving other people1s opinions and e'periences/ 9uoting
Clari#ying what you mean
Giving e'amples
'plaining reasons and consequences
Written by Alex Case for UsingEnglish.com 2012