Everything You Need to Know About IELTS Writing Section.

Welcome to part two of our ongoing series on how to ace the IELTS exam.
Here’s where we’re at:

Part 1: Acing the Reading Section
Part 2: Acing the Writing Section (this post)
Part 3: Acing the Listening Section
Part 4: Acing the Speaking Section

I got a 7 on Writing section of the IELTS.

Writing section is tough. I got carried away and wrote too much than was required - I believe the examiner did not like it. Better sticking to the instructions.

Anyways, here’s everything you need to know about the IELTS Writing Section.

Let's get started!

Fundamentals:

Basics of the Test:
The IELTS writing section consists of two tasks.

Task 1:

You are required to write a minimum of 150 words.
The task involves describing, summarizing, or explaining information presented in a graph, chart, diagram, or a set of data.
For General Training candidates, Task 1 is letter writing, where you might need to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter based on a given scenario.

Time Allocation:
The total time allotted for the writing section is 60 minutes, with recommended 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.

Task 2:

You are required to write a minimum of 250 words.
This task involves writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or a specific social problem.
The format for Task 2 remains the same whether you are taking the IELTS Academic or General Training test¹³.

Timing:
The total time allocated for the writing section is 60 minutes.
It's ideal to spend around 20 minutes on T1 and 40 minutes on T2

Scoring:
Your performance in the writing section is assessed based on four criteria:

Basic Strategy:

Understanding the Question:
Thoroughly understand the question prompt. Look for keywords that guide your response and ensure you stay on topic.
Planning Your Answer:
Allocate a few minutes to plan your answer. Outline your main points and supporting ideas.
Practice Writing Prompts:
Work through past IELTS writing questions to become familiar with the types of questions you may encounter.

30 Days Plan:

Improving your writing, particularly for a stringent examination like the IELTS, requires a disciplined and structured approach. Here’s a detailed 30-day plan to enhance your writing skills specifically for the IELTS writing section:

Week 1: Foundation Building

Day 1-3: Understanding the Basics
- Familiarize yourself with the IELTS writing section format, rules, and expectations.
- Review the different types of questions and topics that are commonly encountered.
Day 4-7: Practice and Feedback
- Start practicing Task 1 and Task 2 writing independently.
- Seek feedback from a mentor or use online platforms to get your writing evaluated.

Week 2: Strategy Formulation

Day 8-10: Analyzing Common Mistakes
- Look for common mistakes in your writing such as grammatical errors, repetitive vocabulary, or going off-topic.
Day 11-14: Organizing Ideas
- Practice organizing your ideas coherently, ensuring that each paragraph flows logically from one to the next.

Week 3: Intensive Practice

Day 15-18: Timed Practice
- Start practicing under exam conditions. This will help you manage your time effectively.
Day 19-21: Vocabulary Building
- Work on expanding your vocabulary. Learn synonyms and antonyms for commonly used words.

Day 22-25: Advanced Practice
- Continue with timed practice but now with a focus on avoiding the mistakes identified in earlier weeks.
Day 26-28: Peer Review
- Engage in peer review sessions to gain different perspectives on your writing.
Day 29-30: Final Review
- Review all the feedback received over the month, and work on final improvements.
- Take a full-length IELTS practice test to gauge your readiness.

Additional Tips:

Reading Widely: Read a variety of texts including newspapers, academic journals, and books to expose yourself to different writing styles and vocabularies.
Utilizing Online Resources: Use online resources like Grammarly to check your grammar, or Hemingway Editor to analyze the readability of your texts.
Joining Writing Groups: Join IELTS preparation groups online to share your essays and receive feedback.
Consulting with a Mentor: Regular consultations with a mentor or a tutor who can provide professional feedback is invaluable.
Mindfulness Practices: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help manage anxiety which in turn can improve your writing clarity and coherence.
Online Tools: Use tools like Grammarly to improve your writing skills.

This 30-day plan is designed to be intensive and requires a solid commitment. With consistent effort, feedback, and refinement, you can significantly improve your writing skills for the IELTS writing section.

Conclusion:
A structured approach, understanding of the IELTS writing section format, and consistent practice are key to achieving a high band score. Following the provided 30-day plan and utilizing the shared strategies can significantly enhance your writing skills and confidence, paving the way for IELTS success.