Here are 10 of my top IELTS writing tips. They focus on the writing process in the exam. Much the most important tip is number 1. If you are a band score 8.0 candidate, you may want to check out my other essay writing tips for more advanced candidates.
1. Read the question – answer the question
Rule number 1 is to answer the question: read the question carefully and underline all the information you need to include. This works differently in the essay and the report.
In the essay, often you will find background information and the question itself. Make sure you answer the question
(eg “Do you agree?”) and do not write generally about the topic. If you copy another essay you have written on the same topic, you will lose a lot of marks.
In task 1, all the information you need to include is in the chart/graph: make sure you identify the key points before you start writing.
2. Don’t start writing too soon – think and plan!
It is important to finish both pieces of writing, but the way to do this is not necessarily starting to write immediately. If you do that, you may get half way through the writing and realise you cannot finish it. Only start writing when you know how you are going to finish.
In the essay this can mean up to 10 minutes and in the task 1 report it can mean up to 5 minutes. The more you think, the better and more quickly you will write. 2/3 minutes is almost certainly not enough. For more detail on this, try looking at Planning an IELTS essay – the 10 minute solution.
3. Write enough words
250 means AT LEAST 250 and 150 means AT LEAST 150. See my post on how many words for more detail on this.
4. Don’t write too many words
The more words you write, you more mistakes you are likely to make. The more words you write, the less efficient you become and the quality will fall. The ideal is to aim for between 260 – 280 words in the essay and 160-180 words in the report.
5. Don’t copy whole sections of the question
If you copy whole sections of the question, the examiner will not include those words in your word count: 260 words can become 230 words if you are not careful.
6. Time is your enemy – have a plan and a watch
Timing can be a problem. It is important to keep moving and stick to your timing. Don’t be tempted to spend more than 40 minutes on your essay – you need 20 minutes to answer task 1 properly.
7. Task 1 and task 2 – which do you answer first?
The essay is worth twice the marks of the report. One idea is to do task 2 (the essay) before task 1(the report), just to ensure you finish the essay. You do need to spend at least 20 minutes on part 1 though. Do not try to answer it in 15 minutes.
8. Check your writing
It is important to check your writing for grammatical errors. You need to have a checklist before you enter the exam of what mistakes you typically make. For a little more detail on this, try checking this post about how to check your writing
9. Think about range of vocabulary
You should also check your writing for unnecessary word repetition – you are graded on the variety of your language. You should note that this does not mean you need to use long, complex words, rather it means you should use precise words.
10. Think about the examiner – use paragraphs well
The examiner will not spend very long grading your paper. You need to create an immediate good impression and the best way to do this in my experience is to present a well-structured piece of writing with clearly laid out paragraphs. This way the examiner is going to be on your side. If, however, it looks disorganised, the examiner is not going to be impressed.
Get more writing advice
If you are looking for more specific advice, this is where I keep all my writing materials.
Hi Dominic,
What do you think of using templates?
I have read some tutors give templates to the student.
Do you have any templates?Or do you encourage using of templates for essay writing.
Many thanks.
Phoebe
I’m in two minds.
Templates can help in understanding essay structure and the planning process in general. The danger is though that they encourage you to write the same essay every time, rather than answering the question if front of you. That’s a really big danger as mistake number 1 is not to answer the question. I’d suggest that if you are going to use them, you need a variety of templates – to deal with the different range of essay questions and the different types of answer.
Do I have any? Well in a way this is what my sample essays are all about. They show you different approaches to answering essays.
can we use idiomatic phrases in graph for instance sank to the bottom of trough or reaches a plateau and even for fluctuating …full of ebbs and flows
It’s generally better to keep your writing as neutral as possible for this task. You don’t need a great deal of varied vocab here (it’s only 150 words or so), I’d rahter concentrate on using vocab that was as clear and precise as possible. It’s all about clarity not variety.
hi, i am having difficulties achieving 7 in writing and stuck at 6.5.i dont have any idea whats missing to get 7.
i think my introduction needs to be improved.
is there any idea to produce good introduction?
Oh yes. The intro is the first thing the examiner reads and it is where s/he gets the first impression of your writing. A good intro is key.
Two things to think about. Do you clearly identify the task and your approach to it in the intro? Do you put the question into your own words?
Also take a look at my post on the planning process: it’s a good place to start. Problems often start with not thinking clearly about the essay before you start writing.
http://www.dcielts.com/ielts-essays/10-minute-planning-solution/
Another thing to think about is the checking process. This is not an optional extra. If you are not improving, then the chances are that you are making the same mistakes. The place to start here is:
http://www.dcielts.com/ielts-writing/editing-a-checklist/
Let me know how it works out. Also if you want a particular resource/lesson added to the site, put a request in on the facebook site
Thanks so much it’s helpful.
Hi,
First of all, I would like to commend you for posting this topic on your blog. This seems really good and interesting as well. Of all the tips you’ve enumerated, I agree most on the tip number 2, because we all know that writing a piece for a certain topic is not that an easy task, you have to think eagerly and plan deeply otherwise your output would become such a mess. TheIELTSSolution.com
Thank you.
Hi
I would like to ask you how one can improve his score in writing from 6.5 to 7.
I have given both Academic and General test recently and my scores were as follows:
Academic L8.5 R7.5 W6.5 S7
General L8 R7 W6.5 S7
I have no clue, what I need to do, in order to reach 7 in writing.
Any tips?
You are obviously close. There is no great difference between 6.5 and 7.0. The likelihood is that you already are getting 7.0 in some criteria of the writing. You need a teacher to advise you whether you should work on your grammar, vocab, cohesion or task reponse.
Dear Dominic,
Thanks for your help and tips. It really helped me. I Just got my result and i have achieved 8 band overall(L-8, R- 7.5, W-7.5, S- 8). I found your website really helpful, especially for writing. Tips given by you were fantastic and worth to follow. I am glad that i read your website and achieved my goal of 7 each in IELTS.
I wish everyone good luck for there exam.
Sarabjit Mathon.
Hi,
I’m having trouble finding ideas for some topics, mostly the ones about politics and economy. Could you recommend me some websites with good articles that would help me out? I would be very grateful.
The best place to look is possibly the Economist – though national newspapers also work well. Try The Guardian – it is certainly the best online newspaper in the UK.
hi sir
I have a problem with the word count.I almost always exceed the word limit.
Mainly,I think,because I can’t deliver my ideas in shorter sentences.
this is the case in both task1 and2.
what do you suggest and is exceeding the word limit sharply lessen my mark?
You can write more than 250 words – in fact you must – that is the minimum figure. typically, if you are a stronger student you will need to use more words but even then I generally suggest you don’t exceed 300. The way to do this is to plan carefully and to remember that you don’t have to include all your ideas.
Hallo Dominic,
I am having trouble in writing especially because the structure is not helping me put my ideas in order. I am practicing in a class and usually get a 5 or 6, but haven’t improved in a month. My vocabulary is fine, and most of my grammar correct but it seems that I always end up with a weird essay. Would you give me some advice?
Thanks
The first point is that language does take time to improve. You may nmot want to hear this but a month is a relatively short time in language learning – so don’t despair. One suggestion is to focus on writing paragraphs first and not a complete essay. This is something that works well with many of my personal students. The idea is to focus on the skills of writing rather than trying to produce an essay. If you can write one paragraph, you can write two, if you write two then with an intro and a conclusion, you can write an essay.
Having taken some time off, I’m about to get back into business and my first series of lessons will be precisely on this point.
hello dominic,
i have taken my IELTS thrice , bet there is no change in my results i landed only on 6.5 band with 6 & 6.5 in reading , writing.
now as such my friend has suggested me to go through with your website. if you can please help me in providing some very exam cracking tips i would be really happy .
am waiting eagerly for you reply.
thanks.
Good to hear from you. I am now back at work on the site after having taken some time off. I am currently sorting out one or two small technical problems with the site, but from the beginning of August I intend to posting lots of new material on writing. The reading may take a little more time to put together.
Hello sir,
I have registered in your website to receive your daily lessons. I recently got the
required IELTS score of 7.5. I have no words to express my happiness. I got this in my
second attempt which wouldnt have been possible without you. You are doing great service of helping students like us. The best teacher I ever had who could simply things so easier. I followed each and every step of your lessons. Thank you so much for recovering me from this obstacle to continue my medical postgraduation. I am glad I found your website for my exam preparation. My hearty wishes for all those who are preparing for the exams.
Excellent news – best of luck with your future studies/career.
Hi Dominc
Honestly, Great thanks to your efforts in this amazing site. I do myself learned a lot from you. I already asked this question somewhere in this site, but unfortunately I dont know where it is. Then let me ask it again.
Once you prepared us with some templates that looks very useful and save our time. As
they are mostly same Are they considered “memorized”? I do really afraid of this term and
do not know what should I do in this case. This is somehow vague and Id really like to
explain it or ask from eximner at your most convenience . Again I do appreciate these
really useful/valuable tips.
Okay. I’ll do something on this next week. I do follow the same sort of pattern for most of my essays – it’s easy for me – I’ve written quite a lot now! I do try and vary the patterns a bit though to show that there are different ways to write any essay – an important point for me. I don’t particularly recommend people follow my “models” because they are written with my knowledge. it may be if you think/know something different about the topic you will write a different essay – just as good.
The key for me is to ask yourself 2/3 questions. One is do you want to write 2 or 3 content paragraphs? That will depend on what you know. For any essay both options are available. The other main question is whether the content paras support each other or will make different points. That second question will depend slightly on the question type but just as much as on what you know – very often both approaches are available. The third question is slightly more sophistacated. Do you want to use a listing paragraph structure – to make a number of related points or a more normal structure developing one point.
More next week. I promise.
Hi
Thanks for your response. Id be grateful if you explain us how examiners consider
something memorized or not? As in the bottom of writing test sheet we see this term.!!
Best Regards,
Hello Dominic,
I gave my IELTS exam recently & had been following your posts regularly before giving the exam.My IELTS results came in today & I scored 8.5 overall (L-9,R-8.5,W-7.5,S-8.5)……..& I’m extremely happy !!! It wouldn’t have been possible if i hadn’t followed your wonderful guidance.I think your blog is very helpful and you are doing a marvellous job by helping students like me realise our dreams.Thank you so much & I will recommend your blog to anyone who is interested in giving the exam in future.
You are the best thing that has happened to me prior my IELTS examination. Your tips are so useful. Thank you so much Sir!
Respect,
Happy Girl
Hi , Dominic firstly theres a big thankyou to you for your heaps of efforts down there . me n my sister ended up seeing ur website just like anyother ordinary websites , but i started reading through every article written by you and the advices you have been putting up. the tips are excellent , your method of conveying is so effective. keep up teh great work may Allah bless you for such a good deed thants helping billions of people out there.
in 25 days
i initially had a 6.5 band in my writing when i sat for the exam but going through this resource, i improved upto a band 8 in writing
thanks tonns
Hi there,
First of all, I would like to thank you for your work you are doing through this website to help student like us whi is struggling to achieve good band score in IELTS. I have given my IELTS recently, but couldnt get the desire score of band 7 in each module. I got 6, 6.5,7.5 and 7.5 in writing, speaking , listening and reading respectively . I would appreciate if you help me in improving my writing score. I have given IELTS after 2 year but I got the same score which I got 2 year ago . Anyways, I am following your tips and guidelines for writing . I hope this will be helpful for me to get 7 in writhing.
regard’s
varinder pal
Thanks a a lot Mr.Dominic.I shall be obliged.These lessons you have listed were many useful for me.every day I follow you.Because I can get a good knowledge & brush my knowledge because of you! Thanks once again.!
hi, i recently appeared for my IELTS (academic). i scored L:7.5, R:7, S:7, W:5.5 overall 7. i am planning for retake bcz all uni. requires min. in every section. could u help me improve my writing skills ?
Not really. Or not in person. The only way i can help you on the site is through my writing lessons. These are limited in a way because I do not know your problems – and very has their own problems. This is why I have added tutors to the site – these are all skilled professionals with experience. The idea is that they can look at YOUR writing and suggest ways YOU can improve.
The good news is that you may be one of those people who might be able to improve their score quite quickly. You already have 7.0 in all the other skills, so 7.0 in writing should be possible too. It may be that there is some technical thing that you are doing wrong – that’s the sort of thing a teacher can help you with.
Hi, Sir Dominic Cole thank you so much!! I have just recieved my results from ielts and I am happy with that. Definitely it is with your help. I have earned 7,0 it is better than before and most importantly all the parts 6 and above!! Thank you and god bless you!