Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read the question carefully and understand
it. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without entirely understanding
what it actually demands. 

Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to
identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and
then attempt to answer.

Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the
answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and thereby produce a clear
and coherent answer. 

Write a Solid Introduction 

The introduction of the essay should give an idea about what the essay is all about.
Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay where you need to provide the
necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate with explanations,
examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to provide a proper
conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

 Make sure to find answers outside the box.

 The Writing section is a 60 minutes test with two questions. One should work
on time management skills to answer both questions comfortably within the
stipulated time frame. 
 Try to connect the provided topic with reality and current affairs as much as
possible.
 Make sure to avoid writing in a single paragraph. Try to break down the
paragraphs wherever required and learn to establish links between each
paragraph. 
If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go
through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics.
You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics
and questions provided in the above sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are the essays marked?

Essays in the Writing section are usually marked on the basis of various parameters.
These parameters include grammar and collocations, rational flow of thoughts,
organisation of ideas, vocabulary, and more. 

2. What should I do to write an effective essay?

IELTS essay topics are usually based on current affairs and world events. To write
effective essays, one needs to understand the questions first and then plan the answer
accordingly. The main body should have all the necessary details corroborated with
explanations, examples, and data. Moreover, one needs to focus on grammar and
vocabulary. 

3. Can I write more than the prescribed word limit of 250 words?

Yes, you can write an essay in task 2 that is more than 250 words.