IELTS Writing Task 2: it's only 13 sentences!

It surprises some people when I tell them that they only need to write 13 sentences for writing task 2:

• Introduction: 2 sentences
• First main body paragraph: 5 sentences
• Second main body paragraph: 5 sentences
• Conclusion: 1 sentence

If you look through my lessons here on the blog, you'll see that I usually manage to write 250 words or more in this way. I think it seems a lot less scary if you think that your task is to write just 13 sentences!

Please note: It is not a 'rule' that you must write 13 sentences. This is just my approach or method.

Comments

[Mike Li]

Simon said all the essay needs are 13 sentences, but each sentence must be enough long to satisfy criteria of the number of words in the end. that's the key problem of how to extend your sentences and remain good expressions at the same time.

[Pachu]

Sir, to use 13 sentence just, you should be best writer, because to say thing shortly, you want better skills of English writing. Don't think so?

[Pachu]

Sir, what is the basis of your 'ideas for ielts topic'? where can I get all the questions on the basis of your 'e-book'.I think only questions help to guide to learn what is written and how can we retain information.Otherwise it is very difficult to understand and keep in memory until exam time.My exam is coming .So, comment on this.

[Vishaal]

@ Pachu

I'd say focus on writing complex sentences (At least 50%) in your essay, and your essay (having only 13 sentences) would definitely be more than 250 words.

[Mohammad]

Hi Simon

Can you dedicate one of your post about the "Concession" and teach us how to use it in a real agree/disagree question in body paragraph 2?

[Nick]

Writing just 13 sentences is a little tricky and risky because individual sentences may greatly vary in length. While Mr. A could comfortably writing a sentence of 35 words, Mr. B might struggle to achieve 10 words. In my opinion, i think one should be careful with sticking with the 13 sentence rule.

Thanks.

[Zoe]

Nick

As Simon says above, "it is not a rule".

There may indeed need to be more than five sentences in the main body paragraphs. It is all about having an approach, and a method,that works, to avoid being flummoxed in the exam.

[Tuan Bui]

Dear Simon,
I have just looked at a writing task 2 question that you posted on Jan 20, 2016:
Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
I am confused with the question what the development/trend is? Is it "Countries are becoming more and more similar" or "people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world"?
Could you please help me? It would be greate if you could share us your essay about this question.

[zsófi]

Tuan Bui

The first sentence, "Countries are becoming ...world", is called the "premise", "a statement or idea that you accept as true and use as a base for developing other ideas". https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/premise

It is generally better to simply accept the premise as true in an IELTS essay, as there is no time to argue against it, and one risks not answering the actual question.

The question here is whether you think the "fact" that countries are becoming more and more similar is a positive or negative development. So the essay should revolve around the loss of separate cultural identity versus worldwide branding and franchising such as Coca-cola, McDonald, and Volkswagen. If you mention the benefits of buying local products, then it must be in the context of retaining local identity, as opposed to the blandness of (American) cultural imperialism.

Do not wander off into whether in reality people can and do buy the same products in every country.

Anyway, that is my view.

[zsófi]

Tuan Bui

Here's a quick (but somewhat complex) essay:

It is true that there has been a trend toward the same products being available in many countries, and that this blandness and uniformity of supply leads to a loss of separate cultural identities. In general, I see this as a negative development as it undermines our efforts to combat climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution, over-consumption and overpopulation.

Globalization, free trade agreements, and the interdependence of world trade are all based on the economic theory of competitive advantage, and are part of the neo-liberal package that has swept much of the world in the past few decades. However, little or no account has been taken of the environmental impacts. The result is we are now facing a global environmental and ecosystem catastrophe. In my view, this is a direct result of economic imperialism, and the spread of products such as Coca-cola, Big Macs, and Volkswagens around the world is just a symptom of the malaise.

In order to combat global warming and damage to the ecosystem, such as loss of insects, pollinators and bees, we need to stop the pollution caused by shipping, air travel, tourism, and air-cargo; to stop the endless lines of trucks polluting the countryside, and the smog produced by traffic and commuters. We need to buy local produce. This will improve air quality, help to green the planet, assist local government in enforcing "green" regulations, and enable us to deal with the real problems we face locally.

In conclusion, from an environmental and ecosystem standpoint, globalization, and the concomitant sameness of products around the world, has been a disaster, and this is what really matters for our future, and the future of our grandchildren.

(~280 words)

[Simon]

FROM SIMON:

Regarding the length of each sentence, you just need to use words like and, but, because, which, while...

By using one of these words, you're forced to write a longer sentence and to develop an idea in more detail. You'll also be forced to write a 'compound' or 'complex' sentence. Most students can do this I think.

[Tuan Bui]

zsófi

Thank you so much for your explanation and your essay.

Best,
Tuan Bui

[Tuan Bui]

Can anyone assess my essay please?

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Nowadays, thanks to the advent of international trade, people are able to buy similar items in any part of the world, and this make countries become alike. Although there are some drawbacks of this trend, I believe that there are more benefits to be gained.

On the one hand, the most noticeably negative impact of the availability of the same international products on one country can be the loss of its national identity. Firstly, people are now able to buy clothes made by foreign companies, and this may lead to the fact that traditional costume may not be worn anymore. As a result, many cultural aspects are likely to disappear because clothing is usually considered to be part of a culture. Secondly, fastfood brands like KFC or McDonald have been becoming popular in many nations owing to their convenience and novelty. Consequently, national cuisine, which is a cultural value, is likely to be negatively affected.

Despite the negatives mentioned above, I would argue that international similarity is a positive development for some reasons. One reason is that this process helps poor countries become richer. Thanks to international trade and Free Trade Agreements, developing nations can export their products to advanced markets such as Europe or the US, enabling them to increase their national income. Another reason is that globalization could promotes equality all over the world, especially gender equality. For example, international schooling programs broadcast on televisions may encourage parents to give equal educational opportunities for their sons and daughters.

In conclusion, it seems to me that nations becoming similar is a positive trend overall, though there are some negative effects.
(271 words)