You can learn a lot by analysing a well-written essay. Here's a quick analysis of the essay that I shared last Wednesday:
Method
As usual, I wrote 4 paragraphs containing 13 sentences in total. If you always follow the same writing method, you'll feel confident that you know exactly how to write your essay in the exam. If you have time, look at my 13 sentences again and analyse what each one is doing.
Style
I consider task 2 essays (like the one I wrote) to be "high school style" essays, rather than "university level" essays. This is because we're writing about our own ideas and opinions; we don't have access to any research. Task 2 essays should be clear and easy to read, with a focus on relevant ideas and good 'topic vocabulary'. You won't have time to develop the kind of detailed arguments that a university teacher would expect, so imagine that you're writing for your high school teacher!
Focus
IELTS students often worry too much about grammar; they think that they need to fill their essays with passives, conditionals, compound sentences, complex sentences etc. I tell my students not to think about those things. Instead, we focus on vocabulary: expressing our ideas well and making sure that we answer the question. Vocabulary (ideas) was my main focus when I wrote the essay.
And I believe those who follow and use these instructions that have given by sir Simon would definitely be the best essay writer. He told us not to be confused about grammar but focus on real task instead (vocabularies and essay structures). I as an individual always follow his formulas and I think everyone does.
Posted by: Akter | March 21, 2019 at 02:31
Dear Simon,
Hope you are doing well.
Regarding to my weaknesses in Task response and developing my ideas,I highly appreciate it if you could clarify more about.
Regards,
Raha
Posted by: Raha Ramezani | March 21, 2019 at 06:57
Simon,
Any advice about staying on topic for the writing task 2 essay?
thanks
Posted by: angie | March 21, 2019 at 09:25
Dear Simon,
In your previous post (https://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2019/01/ielts-writing-task-2-paragraph-analysis.html), I noticed that we need a reference to the original question, is this a must? Can it be in the middle of the paragraph or must it be in the end?
I presume the reference in the second paragraph of this 'choices' essay is "... this abundance of media ...". It is in the middle of a paragraph. Is this correct?
Moreover, I could not find the reference in the second paragraph of this 'choices' essay. Could you please point it out, if any?
Many thanks.
Posted by: Klaus | March 21, 2019 at 10:39
Sorry for the previous reference link, there was a typo, so it cannot be access. Here is the correct link
https://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2019/01/ielts-writing-task-2-paragraph-analysis.html
Posted by: Klaus | March 21, 2019 at 10:41
Thank you sir pointing out that we are writing for school teachers not university professor because we use our own ideas not research books or references.This tiny information also helps us.
Posted by: Pachu | March 21, 2019 at 16:12
Hi Simon, I have a question which has confused me for a while.
When writing body paragraphs, I am suggested not to use the 'Firstly/Secondly/Finally'-pattern, because it is just a way of listing different ideas and this pattern may not help to fully support and develop the central topic.
How do you think about it? I will really really appreciate if you could give me a reply.
Posted by: Michelle | March 22, 2019 at 00:04
Michelle
One of the criteria for Band 7 (Coherence and Cohesion) is "presents a clear central topic within each paragraph".
One good approach to developing the central topic is to answer the question "why do I believe this?".
Focus on answering the question rather than around one pre-selected framework.
Posted by: Oleg | March 23, 2019 at 05:35
Please verify the introduction..
Qyestion:
Many people are choosing to find information online rather than in books. Is this development positive or negative?
Answer:
Most of the people have started increasing the use of technology instead of books to search for the required information. While this world wide web technology has also had adverse effects related to the validity of data, the advantage for outweigh the drawbacks.
Posted by: Ubaid Memon | March 23, 2019 at 06:53
In some questions I don't know whether its discussion or opinion. For instance, in task 2 of test number six book 12 (cambridge): the question asks "do the advantages of this situation outweight the disadvantages?"
It seems like it doesn't ask for my opinion at all
Posted by: Soheil | March 23, 2019 at 16:29
Ubaid Memon
'Most of the people': which people? If you mean people in general use 'most people'.
Re "the required information": again, why use a definite article here? Why not 'to search for information' ?
"validity" or accuracy ?
"the advantage" (singular) outweigh (plural) ??
Posted by: gigi | March 23, 2019 at 17:45
Soheil
It is asking for your opinion stated in terms of advantages versus disadvantages.
Posted by: gigi | March 23, 2019 at 17:47
Raha Ramezani & angie
One way to prepare for Task 2 is simply to do a lot of reading on likely topics. For instance:
https://www.theguardian.com/cities
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/health-and-wellbeing
This should give some ideas to work with and the vocabulary to match.
Posted by: gioletta | March 27, 2019 at 22:49
Thank you Oleg.
I got it. No matter which pattern I'd like to use when writing body paragraphs, the best way for me to do is to focus on how to make the argument clearly and reasonably.
Posted by: Michelle | March 31, 2019 at 16:08
how can improve vocab in one months?
thanks,
leila
Posted by: leila | August 31, 2019 at 00:29