Reading and writing are the segments that differ from General Training to Academic. IELTS testing systems are designed to not only check-depth but the proficiency of the Language of the student but also test their personality and in-depth understanding of expressions entitled to that language. The writing segment under General Training usually is lenient as compared to that of academics. It is aimed at the easy and smooth transition of the test, such that the candidate can comprehend the complexities and common usage of the language. Hence, these IELTS General writing tips will help you in developing a better understanding of the test to score well.
IELTS General Writing test has 2 tasks given under the duration of 1 hour and these 2 tasks are curated in a way that a person who is preparing general format does not have to panic or prepare especially till the last moment.
The tasks are:
- Letter Writing
- Essay Writing
Even though it’s just 2 tasks, these have components that judge your ability as an examinee to adhere to the rules and understand the question that has been asked to you.
Here is how the writing section is going to be assessed and evaluated by the examiner:
- Task Achievement: Make sure your letter answers all the parts of the question with relevant points and meaningful terms.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas that you have penned down should be organized, clear, and connected.
- Lexical Resource: Do not copy the same words from the question or it will become redundant or repetitive.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Beware of grammatical errors, punctuation marks, and contractions. Those are the sensitive areas of marking, make sure you avoid making any.
For IELTS General Writing Tips, here is a step-by-step explanation for both tasks:
- Letter Writing: 150 words:
- Formal
- Informal
- Semi-formal
It can be a letter of requesting, explaining, narrating, or suggesting a piece of information, and can also be about complaining about a certain issue or service.
IELTS General Writing Task 1 Tips:
- Manage your time well.
- Since the next task will be essay writing, you have to wind up your letter in at least 20 minutes.
- Keep a track of the time.
- When you get stuck with your tenses, remember that you are writing something that has happened in the past, has happened recently, is happening now, will happen in the future, or you would like to happen in the future.
- Try to complete before 3 minutes so that you can have time to evaluate.
- Practice writing more so you can avoid these mistakes during the exam, identify the words and the grammatical errors you often make mistakes so that you can work on them within the required time.
2. Essay Writing: 250 words
It consists of opinionated topics that require elaboration and a specific task or question for you to answer.
IELTS General Writing Task 2 Tips:
- Understand the task and plan and organize your ideas
- Improve your task response
- Start thinking of an introduction even before you start with the essay.
- Since the majority of your marks are derived from this section of writing, it is important that you spend at least 40 minutes on this part of the IELTS paper.
- Perform brainstorming and brain mapping while making a rough of what you want to write.
- Use a pencil for a cleaner answer sheet or if you are giving a computer-based test, then you need not be using any pen or pencil.
- Use relevant and meaningful sentences.
- Make sure to practice sentence formation and avoid making grammatical errors.
- For opinionated articles, check the newspaper as it has people’s views on different topics, which is usually found in the editorial.
- Understand the language, the formal use of words and sentences, observe how even the most heated statement is put out formally.
- Organise your ideas into paragraphs but keep checking if you have become repetitive.
- A sentence should be at least 20 words and not more; include semi-colon and comma wherever required.
- Do not forget a paragraph break.
- You need to have enough ideas to form an essay else it will not be fully developed.
- Don’t make your introduction too long, as you have to give your attention to the body too.
- Do not miss a conclusion either.
- You will lose marks if you copy words from the question.
- Finish 4 to 5 minutes before the ending so that you can get enough time to revise and recheck.
For essays where you are asked your opinions:
- Include your own opinion
- Give reasons for your opinion
- Quote examples from your personal experience
- Keep it relevant and formal
- Do not impose your ideas, just convey them.
Also Visit: IELTS General Training Format
The trick to finishing your writing section in time is to maintain writing practice. The reading and writing sections of the test have a different technic to follow when you have IELTS preparation online, but the gist and the time spent on it will be the same, only that you will be given a rough sheet for brainstorming and brain mapping. Just like any other writing test, you have to maintain your flow and avoid getting distracted.
We at IELTS Preparation constantly upgrade our education program to suit the constantly changing industry needs. Our training approach is highly result oriented and student-centric. Our team of certified & experienced teachers is always available to help students clarify any doubts and help them achieve the best scores.