IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2 is more than just a simple essay—it’s your opportunity to showcase your critical thinking and writing skills. You’ll be given a prompt on a specific topic, and your goal is to craft a well-organised, high-scoring essay that meets all IELTS requirements. 

First things first, here’s what you need to remember:
 

• Timing is everything: The total IELTS Writing duration is 60 minutes, with 40 minutes recommended for Task 2.
• Word count matters: For IELTS Writing Task 2, aim for at least 250 words. If you fall short, you risk losing marks. While exceeding the limit is allowed, keep your essay concise as you are working within a strict time limit.
• Every word counts: Even small words like "a" or "the" are counted, so make sure you reach the word limit.
• Stick to a formal tone: Remember, this is an academic essay, so your language should be formal and appropriate.
• Same rules apply: Whether you’re taking the Academic or General Training test, the structure and scoring criteria for IELTS Writing Task 2 remain the same.

IELTS Writing Task 2 topics are commonly asked around topics such as environment, society, culture, travel and technology. These questions are often general knowledge and familiar to the public, so we advise you to brush up on the latest news and topics! 

An example of how the question looks like is given below:
 

The topics that appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 are divided into categories based on their nature. Here’s a breakdown of the types of essays that may appear in your test.

IELTS Writing Task 2 covers many topics, ranging from education to technology. Here are a few topics you can learn about to ace your essay-writing game. 

IELTS Writing Task 2 consists of various types of essay questions, as we discussed above. It’s essential to prepare for each essay type individually, as each has its own do’s and don'ts. 
 

However, here are some general essay writing tips for IELTS Writing Task 2 that you can follow to get a good score! 

• Be relevant: Read and understand what the question demands from you before you start writing it. Try not to deviate away from the topic. The examples and facts you provide must all be related closely to the subject. 
• Understand the question: Pay attention to the words used in the questions. For instance, If it says “advantages” in plural, you must write at least 2. Don’t ignore any part of the question. 
• Avoid numbers and statistics: Do not quote numbers, percentages and stats from recent research. IELTS advises against it.
• Present each view equally: When writing essays like agree or disagree or disadvantages vs advantages, you must present enough information about both sides. No matter your stand, provide context on both sides of the argument before stating your view on it.
• Brainstorm: Think about what you will write for a few seconds before writing. Sketch out the structure of your essay in your mind, and mentally gather everything you know about the topic. 
• Perfect the fundamentals: Don’t forget to focus on your grammar, punctuation, and spelling. These are the basic building blocks of writing and are non-negotiables for IELTS examiners. 
• Always review: Make some time to reread your response! In the content creation phase, you may not notice the apparent errors or repetition of words, so we highly recommend you review and edit your response before finalising it.

Techniques like this make it much easier to learn about IELTS. Students preparing for IELTS with Leap learn new techniques like this every day.