Writing Task 1

Humphrey Nkonge
IELTS Coach
Writing Task 1
• You write at least 150 words
• You’re given 20 minutes for the task
• The task is factual in nature. You’ll be writing factual information
• You are not to include your opinion
• Types for Academic IELTS: Bar chart, tables, line graph, pie chart,
sequence of events, diagram of stages, picture of ‘how it works’
• You need to be familiar with the marking criteria
Criteria for Writing Task 1
Interpret the Question
Make relevant conclusions for the overview paragraph
Select your Main features carefully
Develop Appropriate topic sentences for the main features
Identify the data to support your main features
Write the task
Review the task
Must Knows for Writing Task 1
• You must know how to paraphrase
• Avoid grammar mistakes
• Ensure you understand the instructions
• Know how to use sign-posting language (tells what you will do)- “the most significant change…”
• Know how to describe change-minimal/slight/gradual/considerate/substantial/significant/
dramatic/enormous
• Know how to compare/contrast
• Know how to develop a topic sentence
• Know how to develop an outline/plan
• Must know how to summarize
• How to make relevant conclusions for the overview paragraph
• You must know how to select the main features
• You must use the correct tense
• You must support with accurate data
Organize your task 1 well
• Paragraph 1- paraphrase the question/topic. Add the units of
measurement
• Paragraph 2- do an overview (3-4 Main items)
• Paragraph 3- describe one main feature in detail.
• Paragraph 4- describe another main feature in detail.
IELTS WRITING Marking Criteria
1. Task Achievement
• Addresses all parts of the question
• Responds to the question with relevant, extended, and supported ideas
• No part of the question should be ignored
• Proper distribution of words among the identifiable parts of the question
2. Coherence and Cohesion

The writer must sequence information logically

Ideas should flow sensibly
All aspects of cohesion should be managed well
Must use paragraphing appropriately and sufficiently
3. Lexical Resource

 Uses a wide range of vocabulary

Flexible and fluent in the use of words to express precise meanings
 accuracies in word choice and collocation
Uses uncommon lexical items skillfully
Has no or rare errors in spellings and word formation
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Has in it everything to do with grammar

Uses a wide range of grammatical structures
Majority of their sentences are without error
 sentences are accurate and relevant to intended expression
IELTS Writing Task 2
Its an essay question
You are given 40 minutes to write the question
You’ll write at least 250 words
Has more marks than task 1 (About 67%)
Have ideas about a wide range of issues
Basic Structure of IELTS Writing Task 2

Majorly, it has 4 paragraphs

Can have 5 paragraphs (E.g. Both Views Essay) when you split the
opinion to be an independent paragraph
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: Body para 1/view 1/part 1
Paragraph 3: Body para 2/view 2/part 2
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Substructures of IELTS Writing Task 2

Paragraph 1: Introduction:
It’s the first paragraph of writing task 2
Has 3 main parts:
I. A general background statement introducing the topic area
II. A specific rephrase of the topic
III. A thesis Statement

Thesis Statement: Usually, the last sentence of the introduction that

summarizes what the paper will do
Substructures of IELTS Writing Task 2

Paragraph 2: Body 1/View 1

The second paragraph carries the content of the first body para
Has 4 main parts:
I. A topic sentence that introduces the idea of the paragraph
II. Reasons/Explanations expounding the topic sentence
III. Relevant examples for ease of understanding
IV. Summarizing sentence for closing the paragraph

Topic Sentence: Usually, the first sentence of a paragraph that carries the main
topic/introduces what the idea will do
Substructures of IELTS Writing Task 2

Paragraph 3: Body 2/View 2

The second paragraph carries the content of the first body para
Has 4 main parts:
I. A topic sentence that introduces the idea of the paragraph
II. Reasons/Explanations expounding the topic sentence
III. Relevant examples for ease of understanding
IV. Summarizing sentence for closing the paragraph

Summary Sentence: Usually, the last sentence of a paragraph that wraps up the
idea of the paragraph
Substructures of IELTS Writing Task 2

Paragraph 4: Conclusion
The last paragraph concludes the essay
Has 2 main parts:
I. Restate: Re-stating what the essay has discussed
II. Recommendation: Recommending the way forward owing to the
findings of the essay
Must Knows for Writing Task 2
• How to write an introduction
• How to write an exciting background statement
• How to rephrase the topic
• How to write a thesis statement
• How to develop and categorize ideas
• How to open a paragraph (topic sentences)
• How to state reasons and examples (essay-style writing)
• How to close a paragraph (summary sentence)
• How to state an opinion in essay-style writing
• How to write a conclusion
Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

1. Double Question
 Has two questions
 You must answer both
Best Approach:
 Answer the first question in body para 1
 Answer the second question in body para 2
Example Question:
What are the causes of pollution to a city?
What are the solutions to pollution in a city?
Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

2. Both Views Essay

 Has two opposing views
 You must address both views
Best Approach:
 Answer the first view in body para 1
 Answer the second view in body para 2
 You can have a third body para for opinion, or domicile it in the conclusion
Example Question:
Some people say that high schools should be single-gendered, that is, for boys only or girls
only. Other people say that high schools should be mixed.
Discuss both views and give your opinion
Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

3. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

 Has two parts, the advantages and disadvantages
 You must discuss both
Best Approach:
 Discuss either in body para 1
 Discuss the other in body para 2
Example Question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a separating girls and
boys in high school?
Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

4. Advantages Outweigh Disadvantages Essay

 Has two parts, but one should be stronger than the other
 You must discuss both but put more weight for one
 Your thesis statement should be very clear about your opinion choice
Best Approach:
 Be clear which outweighs the other
 The one that outweighs should have more points/weight
Example Question:
Do the advantages of a separating girls and boys in high school outweigh the
disadvantages?
Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

5. Agree/Disagree; To What Extent do you agree/disagree Essay

 These are opinion essays
 Your thesis statement should be very clear about your opinion choice
Possible Approaches
A. Agree/Agree form
B. Agree/Disagree form
C. Disagree/Disagree form
Best Approach:
 You can choose any form. Be clear in the thesis statement which opinion you have chosen
Example Question:
Separating boys and girls in high schools is better than mixing them. Do you agree? Or, to what
extent do you agree?
5 Steps for IELTS Writing Task 2
1. Analyze the question-Ensure you understand the
2. Think about the answer-what’s the best response? What is needed?
3. Plan the answer-how best to respond
4. Write the answer
5. Check the answer –Proofreading and reviewing
Analyzing a Question

Type A Questions:-requires an argument

• Your opinion is essential
• Know how to present conflicting opinion
• Reduce it to a yes/no question
• Present both sides, and give evidence and examples
• Type A Example: To what extent do you agree?

Type B Questions: -require an account about something

• You explore the situation, give reasons, give evidence with less bias/opinion
Type B Example: What are the advantages/disadvantages
Hints for Understanding the Task
Know what is being asked
The answer should be about what you have been asked
Keep to the topic through the entire piece
Use formal style and consider the audience
Avoid colloquial or slang words-’thing’ etc., so as,
Write what is expected: Is it an opinion?
Consider all parts of the question. Write all that is required.
Avoid general, simple, and too obvious statements
Using the three part writing approach

• Sentence structure: Subject + verb + complement

• Paragraph structure:
• Topic sentence-states the main idea of the paragraph
• Explanation-to clarify the topic sentence
• Evidence-to offer proof of what you are saying
• Example-to illustrate
• Extra detail-to substantiate the main point
• Summary sentence-to close/conclude the paragraph
Write interesting sentences

• Avoid too simple, too obvious sentences

• Good sentences are informative-they are interesting to read!
• Do not also use very complex sentences/words/phrases
• Bad but true sentence: “there are too many wise and foolish people
in the world.”
• To write interesting sentences, you can try to answer ‘wh’ questions
Improving your writing
• Read-widely-to familiarize with various sentence structures
• Recall sentence structures and phrases as you read
• A writer is a reader!
• Write: The more you write, the easer it becomes
• Do away with the temptation of copying
Double Question