IELTS ACADEMIC · WRITING GUIDE
IELTS Academic Writing: make every paragraph earn its place
Use the task prompt as your checklist. Select the main features for Task 1, develop a position for Task 2, and reserve time to revise for meaning and accuracy.
KNOW THE TASK
What the test asks you to do
Academic Writing lasts 60 minutes. Task 1 asks for at least 150 words describing visual information; Task 2 asks for an essay of at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
Check the official IELTS format: IELTS Academic Writing test formatA METHOD YOU CAN REPEAT
Work through the task with evidence
- 01
Identify every task requirement
Circle the data groups or the essay’s exact question. A polished answer that misses a required part is still incomplete.
- 02
Plan a small number of clear moves
For Task 1, choose an overview and two useful comparisons. For Task 2, write your position and one reason for each body paragraph before drafting.
- 03
Explain rather than list
Build a body paragraph around a point, a reason and a relevant example or consequence. Avoid memorised sentences that do not fit the question.
- 04
Edit in passes
Check task coverage first, then paragraph order, vocabulary precision and grammar. Disable the urge to replace a clear word with a more complex but inaccurate one.
ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAMPLE
See the reasoning
Original Task 1 example: A fictional chart shows the share of commuters using rail rose from 18% in 2012 to 32% in 2022, while bus use fell from 41% to 35%. Write an overview sentence.
The sentence selects the main contrast and preserves the relationship between the two categories without repeating every figure.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Try this in one focused session
- 1
Plan a Task 1 overview in two minutes without writing the full response.
- 2
Draft one Task 2 body paragraph with a clear point, explanation and specific support.
- 3
Use the final five minutes to mark one task, organisation, vocabulary and grammar improvement.
Review your progress: Compare each revision with the actual prompt. The clearest improvement is the one that better answers the question.
Study Writing in your plan