IELTS academic writing task 2 tips
IELTS academic writing task 2 tips: How to improve your score
In this task, both General Training and Academic students are expected to write an essay on a given topic. The following table gives an overview of the don’ts and do’s of writing task 2.
| Don’ts | Do’s |
| Copy the given introduction | Rewrite the introduction of the essay in your own language. |
| Poor task response
Poor understanding of the question and irrelevant information |
Good task response
Understand the question, plan your essay and include relevant information. |
| Telling stories about your personal life, friends or family. | Give more general examples to support your views. |
| Poor structure i.e. writing the whole essay in one or two paragraphs. | Write in small paragraphs: Introduction, main body paragraphs and conclusion. |
| Illegible (difficult to read) handwriting. | Write neatly. |
| Writing too few words. | Count the number of words.
minimum 250 words |
| Writing too many words. | Task 2: maximum 280-300 words |
| Using informal language. | Use academic vocabulary. |
| Weak linking of ideas | Use connectors to link your ideas. |
| Using contractions such as doesn’t, don’t and shouldn’t etc. | Use full forms like does not, do not and should not etc. |
| Using jargons (special words and phrases that are used by particular groups of people, especially in their work) | Make your ideas and examples accessible to a general reader. For example, if you are a mechanical engineer, do not use specialized terms of your field. |
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