IELTS (International English Langauge Testing System) is a mandatory English language proficiency examination that every aspirant who wishes to study or work in countries that use English as a preferred language. UK, Australia, Canada, the US, and New Zealand accept IELTS score as a criterion to decide upon admission to the universities. Comprising four elements, namely- Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, the examination looks to test a candidate’s ability to communicate. This test is to check if the aspirant is well-versed in the English language.
A large number of candidates appear for the examination owing to its increased use and importance. Preparation for the examination can be done on an individual level or with the help of tutors and guides. Essay writing continues to be an aspect that requires great attention and polishing to create impactful essays that help increase the score.
How to prepare for IELTS essay writing? Well, here are a few tips for IELTS essay writing that will help a candidate prepare efficiently:
Tips for IELTS Essay Writing
Understand the Topic
The first step to writing well is to understand the direction and pay attention to what is being asked. Once you crack the question, your job is half-done, as you now know the way forward as to what to write. Pay proper attention to what is being asked and determine whether you should start a discussion, put forward an opinion, or simply write about the current situation. The tonality of your essay holds equal importance, and it is important to cater to the right format for a good score.
Read and Familiarise Yourself
Read content from various sources. Starting with newspapers is a good idea. As you read and understand current affairs and be aware of your surroundings, your writing will automatically reflect your opinions, awareness, and thoughts. Remember that it is an English Competency Test, and when you get the basics in place, you enhance your vocabulary, diction, sentence structure, and develop the required essay writing skills for IELTS.
Voice your Personal Opinion
Whether essay writing for IELTS or otherwise, it is crucial to put forward a personal opinion. This makes a difference as it acts as a base to display your thinking ability. Do not shy away from putting forward strong opinions that you may hold concerning the topic. However, it is also important to avoid any negative connotation or passing strong comments on a particular matter. Keep it simple and crisp by adding your views and thoughts.
Devise your Strategy
If you are thinking of ways on how to prepare for IELTS essay writing, have a clear strategy in mind. This strategy could consist of either making a plan ahead with jotting pointers down, or you could choose to begin and develop the essay as you go ahead. Practising these different strategies will help provide headway to curating impactful pieces.
Time Management
It is easy to lose track of time when writing an essay or a blog piece. Therefore, make time to practice essay writing on various topics before appearing for the exam. An ideal time to write the essay during the exam is 40 minutes, and you could work to practice both quality writing and finishing on time. This also helps in brushing up your grammar, collecting your thoughts and putting them across on paper, and enhancing your vocabulary.
Also Read: Describe a Person Who has Apologized to You: An Important IELTS Cue Card Topic
Divide it into Proper Paragraphs
An examiner would like to understand your views and opinions well through writing. A long piece of writing becomes too tedious to read, and may also create a possibility of confusion for the reader.
Divide your writing into proper and crisp paragraphs. An ideal way to do so is to highlight a point in one paragraph and slowly transition into a new one as you state another fact/opinion. Your essay must have an introduction, a body, followed by a conclusion or a satisfactory ending. Do not leave your essay unfinished or ambiguous.
Use Formal Language
The IELTS examination is usually for university or workplace admissions, and it is always beneficial to use formal language. Avoid using words that are considered informal and use of inappropriate words is a big no. Using any cuss or informal words could negatively impact the result, leading to a reduction in your score. Ensure clear and simple writing for the essay section.
Focus on Grammar and Punctuations
The IELTS examination is to test your spoken and written English skills. A major setback that could reduce your score is incorrect grammar and punctuation. Practice grammar and take lessons as required to become better with tenses, sentence construction, and words. This will help get a good score and ensure that you are actually ready for courses that you are applying ahead of.
Conclusion
If you are wondering how to write an essay for IELTS task 2, then the answer is using the right techniques. Marks are divided based on judgments on writing, comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary, therefore, the IELTS examination is about applying the right techniques. Focus on developing academic writing skills. Avoid repetition of words as that decreases your score. Use synonyms for such words and display a richer vocabulary.
As crucial as the IELTS examinations are to decide the course of the next few years and are a major contributing factor for admission in leading universities, it is imperative to lay focus and seek proper guidance to get it right. It is a good idea to sign up for online courses that act as guides to further strengthen your skills.
IELTS Ninja is a one-stop solution for all your essay writing skills for IELTS. IELTS Ninja provides one-on-one mentorship through video lessons that are highly interactive and engaging. Students even have the opportunity to test their skills and predict their band score with IELTS Ninja’s Band Predictor Test. With exam tips and free tests, your dream to study abroad is only a click away!
Also Read: Describe An Intelligent Person You Know: Cue Card Topic For IELTS Speaking Test
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