Which strategies help with IELTS writing?

This is the fourth of five chapters about Advanced IELTS. To complete this reader, read each chapter carefully and then unlock and complete our materials to check your understanding.   

– Succeed in IELTS writing by understanding tasks, managing time, organizing ideas, using proper vocabulary/grammar, writing clearly/coherently, using examples, and practicing.

– Know the IELTS writing rubric’s four criteria affecting the overall band score.

– Avoid pitfalls like not addressing tasks, irrelevant information, poor organization, limited vocabulary/grammar, not proofreading, and poor time management.

Chapter 4

To succeed at IELTS writing, here are some tips that you can follow:

 

  1. Understand the task: Make sure you fully understand the task and what is being asked of you. Read the instructions carefully and plan your response accordingly.
  2. Manage your time: Manage your time effectively during the exam. Allocate enough time for each task, and make sure you have enough time to check your work at the end.
  3. Organize your ideas: Organize your ideas before you start writing. Create an outline or a plan to help you structure your response.
  4. Use appropriate vocabulary and grammar: Use a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Avoid repeating the same words or phrases too often, and use appropriate grammar to convey your ideas clearly.
  5. Write clearly and coherently: Write clearly and coherently, with a logical flow of ideas. Use transitional phrases to link your ideas together and make your writing easier to read.
  6. Use examples and evidence: Support your arguments with examples and evidence. Use real-life examples or statistics to strengthen your arguments and make your writing more persuasive.
  7. Practice, practice, practice: Practice writing essays under exam conditions, and get feedback from a teacher or tutor. This will help you to identify your weaknesses and improve your writing skills.

Remember, the IELTS writing test is not only about your writing ability, but also your ability to understand the question, organize your ideas, and communicate effectively. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your chances of success in the IELTS writing test.

 

What are the features of the IELTS writing rubric?

The IELTS writing rubric is used to assess the writing skills of candidates taking the IELTS test. The rubric has four criteria, each of which is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9. The four criteria and their features are:

1. Task Achievement:

  • Addresses all parts of the task and presents a well-developed response
  • Provides a clear overview and develops ideas with examples and details
  • Demonstrates a clear position and expresses it throughout the response

 

2. Coherence and Cohesion:

  • Organizes information logically and coherently
  • Uses a range of cohesive devices to link ideas and sentences
  • Provides a clear introduction, body and conclusion

 

3. Lexical Resource:

  • Uses a wide range of vocabulary, including less common and idiomatic words
  • Uses vocabulary accurately, with appropriate collocations and word forms
  • Demonstrates flexibility in using vocabulary to paraphrase and explain ideas

 

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy:

  • Uses a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences
  • Uses grammar accurately, with few errors that do not impede communication
  • Demonstrates control of grammar to convey intended meaning

 

The overall writing band score is based on the average of the four criteria scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole band. Candidates are assessed on their ability to write in English in an appropriate style, with correct grammar, punctuation and spelling, and to organize their thoughts coherently and concisely.

What should I avoid if I wish to succeed at IELTS writing?

If you want to succeed at the IELTS writing test, here are some things to avoid:

 

  1. Not addressing the task: It’s important to read and understand the task requirements and to respond to all parts of the question. Failing to do so can result in a lower band score.
  2. Writing irrelevant information: Stick to the topic and avoid writing irrelevant information that doesn’t contribute to the overall response. This can lead to a lack of coherence and a lower band score.
  3. Not organizing your ideas: Organize your ideas clearly and coherently with a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Failing to do so can make your response difficult to follow and can result in a lower band score.
  4. Not using a range of vocabulary: Use a wide range of vocabulary, including less common and idiomatic words, and use them accurately. Overusing basic vocabulary can limit your score.
  5. Not using a range of grammatical structures: Use a range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, and use them accurately. Overusing basic grammatical structures can limit your score.
  6. Not proofreading your work: Carefully proofread your work for grammar, punctuation, spelling and overall coherence. Errors can affect the overall impression of your response and result in a lower band score.
  7. Not managing your time effectively: The writing test is timed, so it’s important to manage your time effectively. Plan your response and allocate your time accordingly to ensure you have enough time to complete your response.

To reference this reader:

Academic Marker (2023) Advanced IELTS . Available at: https://academicmarker.com/IELTS-tests/advanced-IELTS/ (Accessed: Date Month Year).

Please note that this chapter has been generated with the assistance of educational AI.

4 of 5 Chapters Completed

Collect Academic Marks

🎁 Free to join the community
  • 15 Marks for joining
  • 3 Marks for daily e-learning
  • 10-20 for feedback and testimonials
  • 10-50 for referring others
Autumn 23-24