WRITING TASK 2

GRAMMAR AND STYLES FOR ESSAY WRITING

1. STRUCTURE

• There are 5 types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 and each requires
different structures. The types of questions are:
1. Opinion
2. Discussion
3. Problem, Causes, and Solutions
4. Advantage vs Disadvantage
5. Direct Questions/ Double Questions
2. CONJUNCTIONS

• Conjunctions are linking words or phrases which connect ideas and sentences.
• Conjunctions that are used to inform the reader that the ideas are changing:
However, on the one hand, on the other hand, another argument is, by contrast, in
addition, finally, overall
• Conjunctions for showing that ideas are being illustrated as examples:
These range from… to… , for example/instance, examples can be seen in
3. IMPERSONAL STYLE

• In essay writing, it is possible to say ‘I think/I believe/I feel’ etc to express opinion if the task asks for
your view or opinion.
• You can improve your score if you show that you can use impersonal expressions to write your views.
• For example rather than saying:
I advice.., use it seems advisable that..
I think.., use It would appear that..

Other impersonal style phrases that you can use in writing task 2:
It seems that, it would seem that, it appears that, it would appear that, it is logical to conclude that, it is
sensible to conclude that..
4. USING CONDITIONALS

• Conditionals are high level English grammatical items. If you can show flexibility in using
conditionals, you will be able to improve your scores quite dramatically on grammatical range
and accuracy.
• Here are the types of conditional structures:
• Conditional Type 0, 1, 2,3
• Mixed Conditional: Present Condition (If Clause Type 2)→Past Result (Main Clause Type 3)
• Mixed Conditional: Past Condition (If Clause Type 3)→Present Result (Main Clause Type 2)
• If I had not slept well last night (had + V3_If Clause type 3), I would be
sleepy now (Main Clause Type 2).
• (now) If I were the president (Past Simple), (past) I would have built (would
have + v3) more schools in rural areas.
5. USING TENTATIVE LANGUAGE
• Tentative language is used to express an idea that might be true, or might happen, rather than saying
that something is always true or always happens. This is important in essay writing because it shows that
you are capable of understanding complex issues and able to realise that no idea can always be true
100%. Here are some examples of tentative language used in essays:
…the exapanse involved can be prohibited..

…Perhaps the major factor of success is..

…the cost of day to day life can be almost underwhelming..
…Such work tends to be..

…A second remedy might be

…students themselves should perhaps be
…and consider attending University at a later stage..
..A coordinated response… may well lessen the security
6. CONCESSION

• After the main paragraphs in Opinion Question type, you have to write a smaller
paragraph called concession paragraph. It is important to write this paragraph
because without it the essay will be too one sided and unbalanced.
For example:
It is true that there are some positives to retirement, most notably the
time to pursue personal interests and the presence of grandchildren many cases.
Despite this, it seems that for many older people, these pleasures are outweighed by
issues which can cause stress and depression.
7. LINKING THE SENTENCES
• One of the common problems IELTS candidate faces is linking sentences; many sentences are not
connected well with the previous and later ideas in the essay and this problem will make it difficult for
examiners to follow.
• …decline as they grow older. This affects their mobility…

• …the whole question of finance. By this we mean that…

• …by relying on savings. This results in…
• …more time to fill. This leads us on to…

• …isolation. This happens when…

• …grandchildren in many cases. Despite this…
• …the prime period of life. This is not to say that…
• THIS→ usually gives definition, explanation, or development of the previous statement→ can be used in
all types of essay.
8. ACADEMIC VOCABULARIES
• Consistently (all the time=Less formal)
• Major/Key/Prime (big/of higher importance)

• Contented (happy)
• Conscientiously (With a lot of care)
• Decline (get worse)

• Negative (bad)
• Considerably (a lot)
• Significant (big change)

• Pursue (go after)

• Topic Specific Vocabularies: e.g. Health→ diabetes, cardiac related diseases
9. USING EVIDENCE AND REPORTING VIEWS
• To write convincing evidence, refer to facts that you know about (not personal stories) and do not give
too many statistics.
• By reporting other people’s opinions, you will show that you can balance arguments well. For example:
• Supporters of/Proponents of/ Those who support x
• Opponents of/Critics of/Those who oppose x
• Supporters of etc cite/refer to/ highlight/point to x
• Supporters tec claim that/say that/ insist that x is correct
• Supporters etc deny that/reject that/do not accept that x is correct
10. PASSIVES

• Passive structures are considered highly formal in reporting data and facts.
Try to use at least one passive structure in each paragraph to show examiners
that you can use them with great flexibility.
• Remember that you should not over use this structure, use other structures too
to show greater flexibility in using various grammatical items.