7 Steps to writing high-scoring IELTS essays

We all know that the writing section in IELTS is quite challenging and demanding, especially Writing Task 2, an essay. 

In order to achieve a high score, a test taker should produce a well-structured essay that responds to the exam task, and includes enough relevant arguments, supporting details and examples. 

In this article, we will share with you 7 steps for your learners to follow and write high-scoring essays.

It is important to read the exam task carefully and identify the following points: the general topic of the future essay, e.g., education, environmental protection, healthcare or finance. 

Then, encourage your learners to find the task in the essay — should they discuss problems and solutions or advantages and disadvantages?

In addition, check if you need to express your opinion in the essay, otherwise, if this part is missing, the candidate may be penalised for not stating their position clearly and not addressing all the parts of the task.

Once your learners understand the general topic and the questions to address, encourage them to brainstorm the ideas to be used as arguments and supporting details.

Apart from that, your learners should plan the essay so that it has a clear structure: an introductory paragraph, two or three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Even brief planning will help your learners stick to the structure and make the essay more coherent and cohesive.

Quite often exam tasks ask the test taker to express their opinion on the statement or the topic. 

It can be explicit, (e.g., “Discuss both views and give your opinion", or “Do you agree or disagree?”) or implicit (e.g., “Do you think advantages outweigh disadvantages?” / “Has it become a positive or negative development?”).

If the candidate fails to do so, they may lose points for the criterion “Task response". 

Once the candidates have brainstormed the ideas, encourage them to select the most appropriate ones for main arguments.

If the candidate should write an opinion essay (To what extent do you agree or disagree?), some arguments may align with the view in the task or may disagree with it, depending on the writer's position.

At the same time, it is not enough to provide only the main arguments.

Therefore, the main body paragraphs should follow a certain structure: Topic sentences which summarises the main argument — supporting details which explain the main argument — example or further explanation.

It is essential to show a good command of grammar and vocabulary in the essay in order to get a high score. 

In terms of grammar, the candidate should show a good control of basic grammar structures and also use or at least attempt to use complex ones. 

Apart from that, make sure your learners use linking words and phrases to connect ideas and parts of the essay. 

It is also important to use a good variety of more formal and advanced linkers. 

For example, it is more appropriate to use furthermore instead of also, or to summarise instead of to sum up.

Timing is really tight in the exam, therefore not many candidates leave some time to proofread their essay — to read it carefully and correct the mistakes, especially spelling ones. 

Encourage your learners to read the essay and check the following points:

We hope that following these steps will enable your students to produce a well-written essay with a clear structure and a good variety of language and will eventually maximise their IELTS score.