How to achieve a higher score in IELTS writing Claire Conroy Writing Specialist Writing lab
Please, please, just ONE idea!! Time is marching on!
1. You must understand the prompt completely 2. Marks are lost if all parts of the prompt are not answered fully
1. If it is a table, chart, graph, look for similarities and differences. 2. Give an overview ( beginning or end of task) 3. Make sure the sentences you write are accurate ( e.g. Japan spends 25%( a quarter =not a half) of its GDP on health services).
A) If you repeat the wording of the question, the examiner may not include those words in the final word count. B) What this means is that you should not take whole sentences and phrases from the question. C) You can borrow single words: they may well be the right word to use and it would be pointless looking for another word that was not exactly correct, e.g. inflation/ politics
1. Articles( a/an/the) 2. Prepositions( in/on/ at) 3. Numbers ( ten/10/forty-five) 4. Hyphenated words( all-inclusive/ex-wife) 5. Symbols ( &) 6. Abbreviations(couldn t/doesn t/it s) 7. Acronyms ( BBC, USA)
How many words do you need to write for IELTS? The short answer is 250 for the essay (Task 2) 150 for the Task 1 report. This is essential information because you could lose a whole band score if you do not write enough words.
Task 1 ( 150 w) Write 160 words Task 2 ( 250 words) Write 260 words
Task 1= 20 minutes Task 2 = 40 minutes Whatever you do, don t waste time counting all the words you have written, there are far more important things to check. You can count the number of words you normally write in a line and then multiply that by the number of lines you have written. So if you normally write 12 words to the line, you need to write 22 lines in your essay.
1. Practice answering prompts as under exam conditions 2. Learn how to mind-outline 3. Be very familiar with writing genres 4. Increase your world knowledge by reading newspapers 5. Examples to support your opinions should be brief ( 1 or 2 lines)
1.Test takers are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. 2. They are asked to describe, summarize or explain. 3. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process. 4. They are asked to describe how something works or describe an object or event.
1. Task Achievement (TA) ( here marks are deducted if WC is insufficient) 2. Coherence and Cohesion ( CC) 3. Lexical Resource( Vocabulary) 4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (IELTS Public Band Descriptors)
Band 6 1. Addresses the requirements of the task 2. Presents an overview with information appropriately selected 3. Presents and adequately highlights key features/ bullet points but some details may be irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate
Band 6 1.Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is an overall progression 2. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical 3.May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
Band 6 1. Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task 2. Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy 3.Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but they do not impede communication
Band 6 1. Uses a mix of simple and complex forms 2. Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely reduce communication
Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
Some people believe that students at high school should be allowed to wear what they want. Others think that students should wear school uniforms. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
1. Read the prompt three times. 2. Cross out ( X) unnecessary words 3. Circle important words 4. Underline the verbs 5. Note down one-word ideas for body paragraphs
students at high Some people believe that students school at at high should be allowed to wear what they want. Others think that students should wear school uniforms. uniforms To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Intro state your position agree /disagree BP1- Cheaper for parents (cheaper) BP2- No difference between rich and poor students (difference) BP3- Students and school are easily identified (identify)
Helpful tips to remember 1. Analyze the question carefully( but quickly) and plan your answer before starting to write ( 3 minutes) 2. Keep in mind the reader and the purpose when writing 3. Structure your writing logically and clearly 4. Decide on a position and use examples and evidence to support points you make in task 2 5. Be familiar with the assessment criteria
1. Task Response (TR) (here marks are deducted if WC is insufficient) 2. Coherence and Cohesion 3. Lexical resource 4. Grammatical range and accuracy
Band 6 1. Addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others. 2. Presents a relevant position although the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive 3. Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed/unclear.
Band 6 1. Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is an overall progression 2. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical 3. May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately 4. Uses paragraphing, but not always logically
a) Use transition words to link ideas and paragraphs ( study the list) b) Be careful to use them correctly c) Avoid overuse d) Make sure to write paragraphs with topic sentences
The same criteria as Task 1.
1. What form of writing does the writing prompt require? 2. What are the purpose(s) of the writing task? 3.What information do I need to complete the task? 4. What kind of details or arguments does the writing prompt suggest and would these points make good paragraphs?
Any questions?
IELTS Writing Tips Worksheet Circle the correct answer. 1. Task 1 and Task 2 are assigned the same marks. 2. Task 1 requires 150 words to be written. 3. Each writing component is assessed by 4 writing criteria. a) Yes b) No 4. Taking words from the prompt does not affect the word count. 5. There are 9 bands for each criterion 6. There are 2 examiners for each writing task. 7. Paragraphing is not part of a band. 8. TR (Task Response) requires all parts of the prompt to be answered. 9. Task 1 should not contain accurate reporting of details. 10. Spend a few minutes studying both prompts. 11. Read this Task 2 prompt and check the brief outline ( 5 minutes) The dangers and complexities of the modern world have made the mobile phone an absolute necessity for children. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Intro General introduction about the popularity of mobile phones these days + state your position For BP1 1.1 Safety factors Against 2.1 Unhealthy obsession with mobiles 1.2 Instant communication 2.2 Cause children to be unaware of their surroundings BP2 1.3 Can be tracked through towers 2.3 Texting has replaced conversation 1.4 Parents feel more relaxed 2.4 Kids lack social skills Conclusion -Summarize main points and repeat your opinion in different words.
IELTS Writing Tips Worksheet AK Circle the correct answer. 1. Task 1 and Task 2 are assigned the same marks. 2. Task 1 requires 150 words to be written. 3. Each writing component is assessed by 4 writing criteria. a) Yes b) No 4. Taking words from the prompt does not affect the word count. 5. There are 9 bands for each criterion 6. Paragraphing is not part of a band. 7. TR (Task Response) requires all parts of the prompt to be answered. 8. Task 1 should not contain accurate reporting of details. 9. It is a good idea to spend a few minutes studying both prompts. 10. Read this Task 2 prompt and check the brief outline ( 5 minutes) Discuss the prompt with the attendees. The dangers and complexities of the modern world have made the mobile phone an absolute necessity for children. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Intro General introduction about the popularity of mobile phones these days + state your position For BP1 1.1 Safety factors Against 2.1 Unhealthy obsession with mobiles 1.2 Instant communication 2.2 Cause children to be unaware of their surroundings BP2 1.3 Can be tracked through towers 2.3 Texting has replaced conversation 1.4 Parents feel more relaxed 2.4 Kids lack social skills Conclusion -Summarize main points and repeat your opinion in different words.