I've noticed that the more essay practice I do with my students, the more defined my writing method becomes.
For example, I now know that my 250-word essays usually contain 13 to 15 sentences: 2 for the introduction, 5 to 6 for each main paragraph and 1 sentence for the conclusion. It takes me 10 minutes to write a good plan, 5 minutes to write an introduction, I have 2 main ways of writing main paragraphs etc. etc.
The question is: Do you have a clearly defined method? Do you repeatedly practise writing essays in the same way?
If you don't have a method, it's just "hit and hope".
Hi Simon,
What do you think, is there any definite method of writing essay 2?
Thanks & Best Regards
Rocky
Posted by: Rocky | August 10, 2011 at 10:02
Trying to do according to this suggested method but with two sentences conclusion.
Thanks!
your advice really helps me to reach to my desired destination.
With warm regards
Posted by: kanny | August 10, 2011 at 10:21
Thanks for your advice . By the way, I hope you are doing well in Manchester at the moment.
Posted by: Kevin | August 10, 2011 at 12:27
Thanks for sharing Simon! I also have the same feeling, and you basically described what I have in mind!
Posted by: Martin | August 10, 2011 at 17:43
Hi Rocky,
I definitely think that it's a good idea to have a method. I follow the same steps every time I write an essay.
...
Hi Kanny,
That's fine. If you want to do a 2-sentence conclusion, that's your method.
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Thanks Kevin. Everything is fine where I am, but it's sad to see some of the scenes in city centres at the moment.
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No problem Martin. It's good to hear that you feel the same.
Posted by: Simon | August 10, 2011 at 18:26
I wonder if I use "but" in the right way in this sentence , please help me :
_ You should not eat rice but noodle .
( I suggest you to eat noodle )
Posted by: Kevin | August 10, 2011 at 20:49
Hi Simon
I'm giving IELTS exam on 20th August and I'm really worried about writing tasks. Can you tell me the method of writing an essay.
waiting for your reply. Thanks.
Posted by: Jess | August 11, 2011 at 07:06
Yes, you can say that Kevin.
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Hi Jess,
Look through my lessons for task 1 and 2. I've written lessons about introductions, conclusions, main paragraphs etc. All the advice is here.
Posted by: Simon | August 11, 2011 at 08:35
HI Simon,
I am just wondering the use of adjective which are prime and primary.
There are some examples
1.The study is a primary(or prime)example of the way sociologists collect their data.
2.~a prime(or primary) reason the Dow dove more than
200 points at lunchtime~
3.Starbucks shops are prime(or primary) hunting ground for thieves who prey on customers~
I was always confusing the using of it. Can you explain please sir.
I am looking forward to answering soon.(Oh this sentence is also break the to-infinitive rule as you taught us)
Posted by: Don | August 11, 2011 at 09:00
Hi Simon,
Can you tell me how many bands we score if we get 28 marks in reading.
Thanks for replying to my earlier query.
You are really a best advisor.
Posted by: Jess | August 11, 2011 at 09:06
Hi Jess, I think you get a 6.5 band with that score .
Posted by: Kevin | August 11, 2011 at 12:47
Dear Sir
I will b appearing 4 my IELTS on Saturday 13th Aug 2011. I got to know abt ur website just last Saturday. I thank u 4 al ur indirect support n cooperation. Many of my doubts r cleared n i tried my best. I take u as my GURU (Teacher) n I need blessings from u. I hope my exam goes well.
Posted by: Vaishu | August 11, 2011 at 13:55
Sry its (most)and not many of my doubts
Posted by: Vaishu | August 11, 2011 at 14:01
Thanks.
Posted by: Jess | August 11, 2011 at 14:11
Hello Sir,
I want to ask about the essay statement "Do you agree or disagree or disagree"
Example 1: Some people say that the Internet is making the world smaller by bringing people together. To what extent do you agree that the internet is making it easier for people to communicate with one another?
Example 2: Some people think that students who don’t take a break in studies between a high school and a university are at disadvantage compared to students that travel and work after high school before furthering their education. Do you agree or disagree?
My question is : do we need to discuss here both sides of the arguments and then find a conclusion (agreement / disagreement)?
OR
If we agree, we should only write the reason of agreement. And if we disagree, we need only write about points which lead us to disagreement. Please elaborate.
Thanks
Posted by: Khan | August 12, 2011 at 08:31
Dear Simon,
"hit or miss" and "hit and hope" are the same?
Posted by: Miray | August 12, 2011 at 09:34
Hi Don,
It's a good question because both words can mean "main". I don't think you can find a grammar rule that explains which one you should use - native speakers instinctively know which word is best depending on the other words around it (this is what 'collocation' is all about).
I'd probably use 'prime example' and 'prime hunting ground' but 'primary reason', but both words are possible. Try searching for these phrases on Google (put the words between speech marks e.g. "prime example") and compare the number of results and the different examples you find.
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Hi Jess,
Look at this:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/08/students-questions-reading-scores.html
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Good luck Vaishu!
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Hi Khan,
You don't need to discuss both sides. It is often much easier to have a strong opinion and support it with reasons (e.g. 2 main reasons = 2 main paragraphs).
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Hi Miray,
They are a bit different.
hit and miss = something that is always random
hit and hope = you try something and hope for the best (but this phrases implies that some people don't need to rely on luck to do well)
Posted by: Simon | August 12, 2011 at 12:09
Good morning Simon, what do you think about my conclusion for this topic ?
Writing task 2 : In some countries, people who commit less serious crimes are made to undertake community service instead of a prison sentence. Some people believe that all people who have committed a crime should be sent to prison.
Do you agree or disagree?
Here is my conclusion:
To conclude, our society needs a radical treatment for crime which is done by sentencing rationally and dependently on the scale of justice and love. Thus, the world will become a better place.
Posted by: Kevin | August 12, 2011 at 14:18
Thank you for your kind answer. I am always learning through this lovely page.
Thanks again.
Posted by: Don | August 12, 2011 at 15:14
Hi Kevin,
Your conclusion should answer the question more clearly. I'm not sure whether you think criminals should go to prison or do community service.
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No problem Don.
Posted by: Simon | August 13, 2011 at 16:30
Hi Wonderful Simon
Hi every body
I would like share u the TASK 2 TITLE of 13th August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
It was generally about ' SPACE TRAVEL' and how that make a little differences in some people's life
Good Luck
Posted by: sumu999 | August 15, 2011 at 07:55
hi simon thank you a wonderful website
Posted by: johnson | August 15, 2011 at 14:00
Thanks Sumu and Johnson!
Posted by: Simon | August 15, 2011 at 14:32
Mr. Simon u deserve thank not me
i suggest a category for recent TASK 2 TOPICS
Thank u Mr.Simon
Posted by: sumu999 | August 16, 2011 at 02:40
Thank you,Simon.I have a test this weekend so I have to study much harder!!
Posted by: Miray | August 16, 2011 at 05:21
hi sir ... can i use this format
The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so rich countries should give other types of help instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
body 1 accept that financial aid is good idea + refute
body 2 some good ways of helping poor countries
it this format good
Posted by: johnson | August 16, 2011 at 13:16
Hi Sumu,
I'm trying to use recent questions for my task 2 lessons as often as possible. You can find recent questions that students have shared here:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/recent-exam-questions.html
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Hi Johnson,
Your 'body 1' is a bit confusing - just use that paragraph to explain why financial aid is a bad idea.
'Body 2' is good.
Posted by: Simon | August 16, 2011 at 15:52
i have write well in ielts task 1 but in task 2 all is well except i just touch the 'in conclusion to write' and time is out.so i cant write conclusion part xecept the word "in conlcusion" only.how much marks is deducted and other introduction part n body part is well.please tell how it is calculate if such happen?
Posted by: sujan | April 15, 2012 at 03:01
Hi Simon I am new here I just need to get 6 each in ielts what should I need to do ???
Posted by: aman | July 01, 2015 at 22:33
Hi Simon,
I'm going to attend the IELTS exam on 21st November, I'm very very difficult in writing module (Task 1 & 2), pls suggest or guide me how to become confident to get Band score-7.
and if possible can you send some tricks and tips
Waiting for your reply.Thanking you.
Posted by: Seetu | October 06, 2015 at 10:54