Hi Friends,
Being an IELTS trainer for more than a decade, I have realized that Essay Writing is the most challenging task for most of the IELTS aspirants, especially the ones aiming for a score higher than 7 Bands. Thus, just to provide some additional resource, I am providing you the recipe for a high scoring essay. Hope it helps!
13 ingredients for an Excellent Essay
1. Word Limit
This is one of the most important and basic condition that must be fulfilled without fail. In IELTS, students should write at least 250 words, which means between 260 and 300 words. An essay written below the word limit invites a penalty which is deducted from the overall essay score.
2. Correct Spellings
Errors in spellings can be really annoying. If students have slightest of the doubt in the spelling of a word, they must avoid using it. They should rather use an alternate word. I would like to share a funny example here,
1. The teacher gave me a pet on my back as I did well in the test.
2. It is an interesting movie. It is a tail of two lovers in a long distance relationship.
The intended meaning in the above sentences has totally been distorted, leading to a confusion.
3. Punctuation
Starting a sentence with a capital letter and ending it with a full stop, is something everyone remembers. What students conveniently forget is the “comma”. Students must use commas effectively and accurately as it might entirely change the meaning of the sentence. I will share examples here, Incorrect: Let’s eat Grandpa! Correct: Let’s eat, Grandpa! Another Incorrect: I like cooking dogs and kids. Correct: I like cooking, dogs and kids.
The intended meaning in the above sentences has totally been distorted, leading to a confusion.
4. Accuracy in application of Grammar Rules
Grammatical errors can be a nuisance at times as they hamper communication. Too many of them can be really irritating. They can affect your score tremendously, not just in Grammar, but in content also because they restrict meaning. Incorrect: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemist, and research scientist. Correct: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemistry, and research science.
5. Accurate and Complete Sentences
Many a times, students do not realize that their sentences are incomplete. This generally happens when they make a very long sentence or they use conjunctions like as, although, while etc. For example,
1. As the air pollution has increased to such an extent, exposing people to even many life threatening diseases.
2. While people these days eat a lot of junk food.
Both the sentences are incomplete and restrict communication.
6. A few Complex Sentence Structures
A few complex sentences can reflect a lot about your level of English language and enhance your score. Students should learn to use a few complex sentence structures in their essays. But they must maintain accuracy. Style 1: Air pollution has increased to a great extent. It is exposing people to even many life threatening diseases. The state is forced to take stringent measures. Style 2. As the air pollution has increased to such an extent, exposing people to even many life threatening diseases, the state is forced to take some stringent measures.
7. Academic and Formal Words
Students must not use any slangs or informal words. Even they should avoid using short forms as they are also informal. For example, Kids, stuff, thing etc should be avoided. Even ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ are used to convey variety of meanings. They must be replaced by appropriate and relevant vocabulary. For example, Informal: Guys don't like to read these days.
Formal and Better: Students do not take much interest in reading these days.
Another
Informal: Kids with a good mind get stuff faster.
Formal and Better : Children with sharp minds grasp concepts faster. 8. Variety of Words
Students must not forget to garnish their essay with a variety of vocabulary. It is really boring and monotonous to read the same words again and again. It also gives an impression that student has a limited vocabulary range.
9. Overall Essay Structure
Structure of an essay plays a pivotal role in appropriate representation of ideas. Number of paragraphs and their content depends on the type of question. Students must analyze the question well.
10. Arrangement of Ideas within the Paragraphs
Not just the Overall structure, but the arrangement of ideas within the paragraphs also should be logical. All the points should be well connected and in right sequence. 11. Transition Words
Students should never undermine the importance of using appropriate connectors. They ensure smooth transition and make the essay look more presentable. 12. Content
An impactful essay has sufficient ideas to convince the reader and there are no deviations from the main topic. To be able to score high, students need to acquire the art of being precise and concise. Nothing can be more impactful than a balanced view. 13. Examples
Do not forget to add one or two examples. But they should be clearly related to the topic.
The above ingredients, when used in exact proportions, are bound to lead to an impressive essay.
Do not forget to share in comment that which ingredient you would like to use first.
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