Introduction to IELTS Writing Task 2

Overview and Purpose

IELTS Writing Task 2 tests your ability to write a clear, coherent, and well-developed essay on a given topic. It measures your academic writing skills and how effectively you communicate complex ideas within a formal structure.

Task Requirements:

• Write at least 250 words within 40 minutes.
• Respond fully to the prompt, addressing all parts of the question.
• Structure your essay logically, using clear paragraphs.

Scoring Criteria:
Your essay is graded on four key components, each contributing 25% of your total score:

1. Task Response (TR):

1. • Fully address all parts of the question.
   • Present a clear position (if required) throughout the essay.
   • Provide relevant examples and explanations.

2. Coherence and Cohesion (CC):

1. • Organize ideas logically with clear paragraphing.
   • Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas smoothly.
   • Avoid overuse of cohesive devices.

3. Lexical Resource (LR):

1. • Use a wide range of vocabulary appropriately.
   • Avoid repetition of words and phrases.
   • Demonstrate an ability to paraphrase effectively.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA):

1. • Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, complex, and compound).
   • Maintain grammatical accuracy (e.g., verb forms, punctuation, articles).
   • Avoid frequent errors that hinder communication.

Question Types

Each essay type tests your ability to respond to specific demands. Understanding these types is crucial to achieving a high score.

1. Opinion Essays (Agree/Disagree):

1. • Prompt asks for your opinion on a statement or issue.
   • Example: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Explain your answer with reasons and examples.”
   • Approach: Clearly state your opinion (agree/disagree or partially agree) and support it with reasons and examples.

2. Discussion Essays (Both Views + Your Opinion):

1. • Prompt presents two opposing views and asks for your stance.
   • Example: “Some people believe X, while others believe Y. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
   • Approach: Discuss both perspectives with balanced arguments before stating and justifying your opinion.

3. Problem-Solution Essays:

1. • Prompt asks you to identify problems and propose solutions.
   • Example: “What are the causes of X? What solutions can you suggest?”
   • Approach: Highlight causes and suggest realistic solutions with examples.

4. Advantage-Disadvantage Essays:

1. • Prompt asks you to weigh benefits and drawbacks of an idea or situation.
   • Example: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of X?”
   • Approach: Provide a balanced analysis of both sides and include your overall opinion if requested.

5. Direct Question Essays:

1. • Prompt presents one or more questions on a topic.
   • Example: “Why is X happening? Is it a positive or negative development?”
   • Approach: Address each question directly and ensure all parts are covered thoroughly.

Key Takeaway:
Mastering the structure and expectations of IELTS Writing Task 2 is the foundation for achieving a Band 8+ score. Understanding the scoring criteria and essay types will enable you to plan and execute a high-quality response tailored to the task demands.