IELTS Simon

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

When you have written a plan, you then need to turn your notes into full sentences. Let's try this using the paragraph plan below.

Paragraph plan:

- High street shops are disappearing because of online stores.
- Online shopping is faster, cheaper and more convenient.
- People can sit at home, search for deals, receive delivery the next day.
- It is impossible for normal stores to compete with the range of choice.
- Personal example: recent purchases on Amazon.

Full paragraph:

In my opinion, high street shops are disappearing due to competition from online shopping websites, which are cheaper and more convenient. Web-based stores allow customers to search for the best deals, make purchases from the comfort of their homes, and receive delivery of their purchased items the next day. Furthermore, it is impossible for traditional bricks-and-mortar stores to compete with the range of choice that can be found online. For example, I recently used the website Amazon to buy some fairly rare academic textbooks that were not stocked at my local bookshop. As a customer, the fact that I can find any product imaginable online makes it almost pointless for me to make a trip to my local high street.

IELTS Writing Task 2: three aspects of an essay plan

There are three things that you need to think about when planning an essay:

1. How you will answer the question (your position / opinion)
2. How you will structure your essay to communicate your answer
3. The ideas that you will include in your main paragraphs

For example, let's do an essay plan for the question below.

Many high street shops have gone out of business in recent years. Why do you think this has happened? Is it a positive or negative development?

1. My answer

Online shopping is the main reason. The trend is both positive and negative.

2. Structure: four paragraphs

- Introduce the topic, and give a brief answer to both questions
- Main paragraph about online shopping
- Main paragraph about the positive and negative impacts
- Conclude by summarising the overall answer

3. Ideas for the main paragraphs

• Online shopping is faster, cheaper and more convenient. People can sit at home, search for the best deal, pay, and receive a delivery the next day. Impossible for stores to compete. Personal example: recent purchases on Amazon.
• Positives: a world of choice, a solution for busy people or those who can't leave the house. Negatives: rising unemployment, loss of community as high streets become deserted.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high street shops' topic

This was one of my recent 'daily IELTS challenge' flashcards:

This is a good topic for a writing task 2, so let's work on the question below. If you have any ideas, please share them in the form of a plan rather than a full essay. I'll write a full essay eventually, but we need ideas first.

Many high street shops have gone out of business in recent years. Why do you think this has happened? Is it a positive or negative development?

Note: If you haven't seen the daily challenge flashcards, sign up here.

IELTS Writing Task 2: vocabulary review

Here's a list of topic vocabulary from the essay that I shared last week.

• the power to unite and connect people
• regardless of their cultural backgrounds
• reach across cultural and national boundaries
• concerts that took place
• back in the 1980s
• were broadcast to a global audience
• two events were held simultaneously
• to raise funds for
• famine relief
• a huge success
• international public awareness
• the planet's common / shared language
• music transcends cultures
• different generations
• a memorable melody
• a strong rhythm
• a beautiful singing voice
• have a magical effect on us
• popular prime-time shows
• attract incredibly broad audiences
• appeal to children, parents and grandparents alike
• form of entertainment
• bring families together
• is unique in its capacity to
• create shared experiences
• irrespective of culture and age

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the question below.

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is often said that music has the power to unite and connect people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or ages. I completely agree with this view, and will give my reasons below.

Music can certainly reach across cultural and national boundaries and bring people together. Perhaps the best example of this would be the Live Aid concerts that took place back in the 1980s, and which were broadcast to a global audience. Two live events were held simultaneously in the UK and the US, and the objective was to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concerts were a huge success, both in terms of the number of people around the world who watched them and their impact on international public awareness of the famine. They demonstrated, I believe, that music truly is the planet’s global language.

Just as it transcends cultures, music also has the ability to connect people from different generations. Regardless of age, we can all enjoy a memorable melody, a strong rhythm or a beautiful singing voice, and the best songs seem to have the same magical effect on all of us. This would explain why televised music competitions, such as ‘The X Factor’ or ‘The Voice’, are such popular prime-time shows. These programmes attract incredibly broad audiences because singing and popular songs appeal to children, parents and grandparents alike. I would argue that no other form of entertainment can bring families together in this way.

In conclusion, I believe that music is unique in its capacity to create shared experiences between people, irrespective of culture and age.

(265 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2: complex isn't complicated

A colleague of mine, Pete, wrote a useful comment below one of my recent lessons. I'm sharing it here because I think too many people have the wrong idea about complex sentences.

Here's the important part of what Pete wrote:

..........

I think it's worth noting that complex sentences are not always complicated sentences, or even long ones.

Here's an example of a complex sentence: Pete doesn't play football now because he's too old. This isn't a complicated sentence.

..........

So, complex sentences aren't difficult, and I'm sure you use them all the time. If you want to improve your grammar score, stop worrying about 'complex structures'. Instead, work on gradually learning from your mistakes. Accuracy is more important, and more difficult, than structures.

IELTS Writing Task 2: example-led paragraph

Let's look at what I call an 'example-led' paragraph. In this type of paragraph, we explain an opinion or develop an idea based on a single example.

Paragraph topic: music connects people from different cultures

Music can certainly reach across cultural and national boundaries and bring people together. Perhaps the best example of this would be the Live Aid concerts that took place back in the 1980s, and which were broadcast to a global audience. Two live events were held simultaneously in the UK and the US, and the objective was to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concerts were a huge success, both in terms of the number of people around the world who watched them and their impact on international public awareness of the famine. They demonstrated, I believe, that music truly is the planet’s global language.

Analysis:

Notice how I introduce a key example after the topic sentence. In the rest of the paragraph, I simply describe the example in more detail, and I show how the example illustrates my point.

(You can read about the Live Aid concerts here)

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction paraphrasing

Let's look at how paraphrasing can be used in an introduction. My ability to paraphrase demonstrates both range and flexibility of language use.

Task / question:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

My introduction:

It is often said that music has the power to unite and connect people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or ages. I completely agree with this view, and will give my reasons below.

Examples of paraphrasing:

• some people say that = it is often said that
• music is a good way of = music has the power to
• bringing people together = unite and connect people
• of different cultures = regardless of their cultural backgrounds

IELTS Writing Task 2: errors or complex structures?

Which aspect of your grammar score is more important: errors or complex structures? Watch the short video below to find out what I think.

The full lesson is about 25 minutes long, and it's on my member site. If you find my advice useful, feel free to subscribe and join my class!

IELTS Writing Task 2: improved 'music topic' plan

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Here's the essay plan that I asked you to think about last week:

1. Introduction: completely agree
2. Main paragraph: why music transcends cultures and age groups
3. Main paragraph: how music connects people
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise

But KiKi suggested an alternative plan, which I think is better:

1. Introduction: completely agree
2. Main paragraph: why music transcends or connects cultures
3. Main paragraph: how music connects different age groups
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise

KiKi has noticed that the question contains two ideas: cultures and ages. It makes sense to look at these two ideas separately and use them as the basis for our two main paragraphs. This is a great way to approach many IELTS questions.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' topic

A student on my member site asked me about the following question:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

(From Cambridge IELTS 14, test 3)

The student asked whether the following plan would work. What do you think?

1. Introduction: completely agree
2. Main paragraph: why music transcends* cultures and age groups
3. Main paragraph: how music connects people
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise

*I added the word 'transcend' myself (to summarise the student's point). What do you think I mean when I say that "music transcends cultures"?

IELTS Writing Task 2: extend, develop, progress...

You'll see these three words in the band descriptors for writing task 2. If you want a high score, you need to extend and develop your ideas, and your writing should progress from one sentence to the next.

How do you achieve this?

My tip is to make sure that each sentence says something new. The new information could be a reason, an example, a consequence, an alternative, a prediction...

It's easy to make the mistake of repeating the same idea in slightly different ways. Don't do this. Don't feel that you need to rephrase a point that you've already made. Instead, make your point and then extend or develop it.

IELTS Writing Task 2: improved 'task response'

Have a look at the two paragraphs below. The second version is better in terms of task response. Can you see why?

Version 1 - highlighted sentences don't extend my response

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. But perhaps even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or cloned. Some people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the implications of such practices would be unprecedented.

Version 2 - highlighted sentences extend and develop my ideas

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. For example, scientists are able to produce a variety of corn that releases a toxin to kill certain insects, but this intervention could lead to the disappearance of birds that feed on those insects. In the human realm, some people imagine a world in which clones are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Perhaps cloning could even be used to bring deceased people back to life, which would certainly be a threat to humanity as we know it.

IELTS Writing Task 2: why planning is so important!

The essay that I shared last Wednesday was good, but it wasn't perfect. The problem was that I didn't follow my own advice: I wrote the main body paragraphs without doing a plan first.

Look at the 'unplanned' paragraph below:

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. But perhaps even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or cloned. Some people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the implications of such practices would be unprecedented.

Analysis:

• The first highlighted sentence doesn't extend my ideas. It would be better to go straight to the point about cloned humans fighting wars. I could then add more 'depth' and 'detail' to that particular idea, and this would help my task response score.
• The second highlighted sentence is fine as a 'concluding' sentence, but it would be better if I explained what the "implications" are. Reading this sentence now, I can tell that I wrote it without planning; I relied on my vocabulary knowledge to cover up my lack of real ideas!

This is what happens when you neglect the planning stage. It's so easy to write sentences that fill a space but don't move the essay forward.

Task: Let's improve this paragraph by refining the two highlighted sentences.

IELTS Vocabulary: good essay phrases

Let's review the good vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday. It was full of 'less common' collocations and phrases.

• with broad implications for
• may have its dangers
• the negative implications
• the cloning of humans
• genetically modified crops
• damage whole ecosystems
• foods become resistant to
• natural predators
• humans could be modified or cloned
• provide body part replacements
• would be unprecedented
• a more optimistic prediction
• mitigate the risks
• genetic technologies
• famine in developing countries
• can be grown in harsh conditions
• from a medical perspective
• produce vaccines
• cure diseases
• to correct a genetic defect
• if properly regulated
• the cloning of individual organs
• for transplant purposes
• have a positive impact on our lives
• people's fears will be unwarranted

IELTS Writing Task 2: genetic engineering essay

Here's my sample essay for the question below.

Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks.

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. But perhaps even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or cloned. Some people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the implications of such practices would be unprecedented.

A more optimistic prediction, and one that I favour, is that humans will find ways to mitigate the risks and use genetic technologies in a responsible way. From the food production perspective, genetic engineering could be the solution to famine in developing countries, if, for instance, crops can be grown more reliably in harsh conditions. From a medical perspective, scientists may use genetic engineering to produce vaccines, to cure diseases, or to correct a genetic defect before a child is born. If properly regulated, even cloning can be done in a way that improves lives. For example, the cloning of individual organs, such as a heart or kidney, could be permitted for transplant purposes.

In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, and that people's fears will be unwarranted.

(283 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 2: genetic engineering 'essay skeleton'

Let's return to the question below.

Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here's my 'essay skeleton':

Introduction
It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks.

Topic sentence, paragraph 2
The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans.

Topic sentence, paragraph 3
A more optimistic prediction, and one that I favour, is that humans will find ways to mitigate the risks and use genetic technologies in a responsible way.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, and that people's fears will be unwarranted.

Tasks:
Can you explain the risks of genetic engineering, in terms of food and cloning?
Can you suggest how we might use genetic engineering responsibly?

IELTS Writing Task 2: should you mention both sides?

I often receive questions like this from students:

For 'agree or disagree' questions, my teacher told me that I should mention both sides of the argument, even if I have a strong opinion. Is this true? And how do I do it?

Here's my answer:

• It is not true that you must always mention both sides.
• The way you answer will depend on the particular question and on the ideas that you have.

Let's look at some examples:

1) Look at the strong opinion essay that I shared here. My argument is that we do have too many choices, and I think it would be strange to contradict myself by writing about the opposite view. Why would I want to mention the view that we don't have too many choices?

2) Now look at this essay. You'll see that I express a strong opinion in paragraph two, and then I refute (argue against) some opposite views in paragraph three. In other words, I do mention the other side of the argument, but in a negative way.

3) Finally, if you study this essay, you'll see that I am able to write about both sides of the topic in a balanced way, even though I disagree with the argument given in the question.

Note:
When somebody tells you that you must always answer in a certain way, you should be cautious. If you're confused, just forget all of the advice, and focus instead on what the question is asking you to do.

IELTS Writing Task 2: writing a conclusion

When writing a conclusion, this is what I do:

1. I check the question again, because I want to make sure that I answer it properly (but briefly) in my conclusion.
2. I also think about key words or phrases from the question that I could reuse or paraphrase.
3. And I look at my introduction again. I want to make sure that the 'position' that I express in my conclusion is consistent with what I wrote in the introduction.
4. I can also paraphrase what I wrote in my introduction when writing the conclusion.

Look at the question and the introduction that I showed you last week. Here are some of my thoughts before I write the conclusion:

• I'm going to start with 'In conclusion', and I want to write one concise sentence only.
• I need to repeat the idea that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks (using different words).
• In my introduction I used a "while" sentence (while I accept the dangers, I believe the benefits...).
• So I'll start my conclusion with the benefits and then use the phrase "in spite of" to mention the dangers.
• Instead of "threat to life" or "dangers", I could write about the "risks".
• Instead of "improve people's lives", I could write that it will have a "positive impact".

Here's a concise conclusion using the ideas above:

In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, in spite of its potential risks.

IELTS Writing Task 2: normal introduction technique

Here's the question that I showed you last Wednesday:

Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

And here's an introduction, using our normal 2-sentence technique:

It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks.

Note:
The first sentence introduces the topic, using paraphrasing and some extra information. The second sentence covers both views and makes my own opinion clear.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'genetic engineering' topic

It's time to start work on a new question, so let's try this one that a student asked me to look at:

Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

This is one of the common topics that I covered in my ebook. You can see some ideas from the ebook here. We'll start writing the essay next Wednesday.

IELTS Writing Task 2: topic preparation

As well as learning how to write introductions, main paragraphs and conclusions, are you preparing your ideas and opinions for different topics?

Look at the last five essay topics that I've covered on this site:

1. Are small families a good or bad thing?
2. Advantages and disadvantages of books, radio and TV.
3. Do we have too many choices nowadays?
4. Do people choose hobbies only because they are fashionable?
5. Positives and negatives of artificial intelligence.

Do you have ideas and opinions for these five topics?

Task: Give yourself five minutes to note down some ideas for each of the topics above. Then look at your ideas and be honest: how good are they?

IELTS Writing Task 2: relying too much on linking

Some IELTS candidates rely far too much on linking words. If you start every sentence of your essay with a typical linking word (firstly, furthermore, moreover etc.), your writing will seem 'mechanical' and you probably won't get higher than a band 6 for coherence and cohesion (25% of your score).

The opposite extreme is to use none of the typical linking words. In last week's lesson I showed you an example of this. I called it "the art of linking without linking". The only problem with this way of writing is that you need to be an advanced user of English to do it well. It's the kind of thing that a native speaker or band 9 candidate might do.

Most candidates should aim to be somewhere between these two extremes. Try to use linking words in a natural way. It makes sense to use 'Furthermore' when you're adding to an idea, and it makes sense to use 'For example' when you're giving an example.

In short, linking words are useful, but you shouldn't rely on them; they are not going to impress the examiner or magically give you a high score.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'advanced' linking

Most people learn linking words like firstly, furthermore, moreover, however, whereas. There's nothing wrong with this type of linking; I use it myself.

Another way to link ideas between or within sentences is to use pronouns and determiners like it, they, which, this, that.

And perhaps the most 'advanced' form of linking involves no linking words at all. Instead, you rely on the topic vocabulary itself to create cohesion.

I call this "the art of linking without linking". Here's an example:

..........

The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction. Individuals who live on their own have nobody to talk to in person, so they cannot share problems or discuss the highs and lows of daily life. They forgo the constant stimulation and hustle and bustle of a large family, and are left to their own devices for extended periods of time. The lack of human contact in the home is necessarily replaced by passive distractions, such as television, video games, online chat rooms or Internet surfing. This type of existence is associated with boredom, loneliness, and feelings of isolation or even alienation, all of which are factors that are known to increase the risk of mental illness.

..........

I've used different coloured highlighting to show which phrases are connected. So, for example, the phrases in blue all develop the idea of 'reduced human interaction'.

Can you see how the vocabulary itself holds the paragraph together? This is probably how you write in your own language.

IELTS Writing Task 2: excellent 'topic vocabulary'

Here's a list of some of the good collocations and phrases from the essay that I shared last week. I hope you can see how much excellent 'topic vocabulary' the essay contained.

• are seeing a rise in
• one-person households
• is becoming a rarity
• the traditional family support network
• a nuclear family
• a single-parent household
• a stressful part of daily life
• the absence of
• adult family members
• the primary influences on
• the decline of the extended family
• psychological and behavioural problems
• amongst young people
• the psychological effects of
• reduced human interaction
• discuss the highs and lows of daily life
• They forgo the constant stimulation
• hustle and bustle of a large family
• left to their own devices
• for extended periods of time
• lack of human contact
• replaced by passive distractions
• This type of existence
• is associated with boredom, loneliness
• feelings of isolation or even alienation
• increase the risk of mental illness
• individuals thrive when

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the task below. We'll analyse it next week.

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

It is true that cities are seeing a rise in smaller families and one-person households, while the extended family is becoming a rarity. In my opinion, this is a negative development.

As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up. In a nuclear family or single-parent household, childcare becomes an expensive and stressful part of daily life. Without the help of grandparents or aunts and uncles, busy parents must rely on babysitters, nannies and after-school clubs to take care of younger children, while older children may be left alone after school and during holidays. The absence of adult family members can mean that friends, television and the Internet become the primary influences on children’s behaviour. It is no surprise that the decline of the extended family has been linked to a rise in psychological and behavioural problems amongst young people.

The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction. Individuals who live on their own have nobody to talk to in person, so they cannot share problems or discuss the highs and lows of daily life. They forgo the constant stimulation and hustle and bustle of a large family, and are left to their own devices for extended periods of time. The lack of human contact in the home is necessarily replaced by passive distractions, such as television, video games, online chat rooms or Internet surfing. This type of existence is associated with boredom, loneliness, and feelings of isolation or even alienation, all of which are factors that are known to increase the risk of mental illness.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals thrive when they are part of larger family groups, and so it is worrying that many people are choosing to live alone or in such small family units.

IELTS Writing Task 2: paragraph ordering exercise

Put the five sentences below in the correct order to create a paragraph. You'll need to think about the best logical order for the sentences.

Topic: The effects of smaller families on children.

..........

A) The absence of adult family members can mean that friends, television and the Internet become the primary influences on children’s behaviour.

B) As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up.

C) It is no surprise that the decline of the extended family has been linked to a rise in psychological and behavioural problems amongst young people.

D) In a nuclear family or single parent household, childcare becomes an expensive and stressful part of daily life.

E) Without the help of grandparents or aunts and uncles, busy parents must rely on babysitters, nannies and after-school clubs to take care of younger children, while older children may be left alone after school and during holidays.

..........

Tip: If you need help, look at the essay plan in this lesson.

IELTS Writing Task 2: numbering your essay plan

Whenever I do a course on IELTS writing here in Manchester, I always ask the students this question at the end of the day:

What did I teach you today that will change the way you do the test?

One of the most common answers that students give me is: doing a good essay plan and numbering the ideas in the plan. (as shown in this video lesson).

If you put the numbers 1 to 5 next to the ideas that you have for each main paragraph, your only task when writing the essay is to turn those 5 ideas into 5 full sentences. Practise doing this, and you'll find that paragraph writing becomes much easier.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay skeleton

Let's return to the 'small families' question below:

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

Here's my essay skeleton (using the plan that I wrote here):

..........

Introduction
It is true that cities are seeing a rise in smaller families and one-person households, while the extended family is becoming a rarity. In my opinion, this is a negative development.

Paragraph 2, topic sentence
As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up.

Paragraph 3, topic sentence
The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that individuals thrive when they are part of larger family groups, and so it is worrying that many people are choosing to live alone or in such small family units.

..........

Note:
It's a good idea to practise writing essay 'skeletons' because they force you to produce a very clear, coherent essay structure.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'band 9' linking

If you look at the official band descriptors for writing task 2, you'll find this phrase in the band 9 description for 'coherence and cohesion':

"uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention"

So how do you connect your ideas (cohesion) without attracting too much attention? I think there are 2 possible ways:

1. Explain your ideas in a logical order so that you don't need many linking words. This is probably what you do when writing in your own language.
2. Use easy linking and referencing words like and, but, because, which, that, this, while, for example. These are so common that they attract almost no attention.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay plan

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

Here's my plan for a 'strong opinion' answer: