This PPT gives a brief overview of the IELTS Writing Task 2, intended as a refresher for students who've already studied it a little. It gives a guided approach to doing the exam, as well as a practice question at the end.

1. Review and Practice
for Task 2
IELTS Writing
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2. IELTS Writing Task 2
Overview
You have 40 minutes to write an essay that is at least 250 words.
It should be written in a formal style, organized into clear paragraphs,
and directly respond to the given question.
Aim for 4-5 paragraphs.
It is worth more marks than task 1.

3. Hints and Tips
How to Succeed at Task 2
1. Understand the timing
• Essay planning 2 – 10 minutes
• Writing 25 – 32 minutes
• Editing 5 minutes
2. Maintain formality
• No slang
• No exclamation marks!!!!
• No overly personal or emotional sentences.
3. Stay on-topic
• Read the question carefully
• Make a plan
• Make sure you paragraph correctly

4. Hints and Tips
How to Succeed at Task 2
4. Practice
• Regularly write practice essays
• Read sample essays
• Work on your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary
5. Avoid Repetition
• Don’t repeat words or ideas
• Practice paraphrasing
• Build your vocabulary to find synonyms

5. The Question
There are different types of question:
• To what extent do you agree…
• Advantages and disadvantages…
• Causes and solutions…
• Discuss both sides…
• Two part questions…
Make sure you are familiar with all these question types.

6. Analyze the Question
First, you must know what the question means
Look at this example:
In some countries, teenagers are encouraged to have
part-time jobs.
Many people view this as a good thing, but others
disagree. Give your opinion and explain both views.
What is the topic? What are the keywords and micro-
keywords? What do you need to do?

7. Analyze the Question
The key ideas are: teenagers and jobs. The topic is
society.
Your task: explain good and bad, and give opinion.

8. Brainstorming
Think of ideas to include in your essay
Look at the question again and think of ideas you could
include in your essay:
In some countries, teenagers are encouraged to have
part-time jobs.
Many people view this as a good thing, but others
disagree. Give your opinion and explain both views.
Remember, not all ideas are equal and you cannot
include everything. Only include the best ideas.

9. Brainstorming
Here are some examples:
For part-time jobs Against part-time jobs
Learn responsibility Distract from studies
Earn extra money Expose to adult problems
Learn real-world skills Too much pressure
Get more freedom Too boring
Remember, some ideas (like “too boring”) are
not equal to the others.

10. Developing Ideas
Ideas must be develop
You can’t simply say, “Jobs help students earn extra
money.” You must develop this over several sentences.
For example:
Jobs help students earn extra money, which they can use
for many different purposes. They could use it to help
fund their studies, or put it towards their future. After all,
the cost of education often leaves graduates with large
amount of debt.

11. Organizing
Arrange your ideas into coherent paragraphs
All IELTS essays must have a clear structure. Typically, you
will use 4-5 paragraphs.
Introduction
paraphrase question, outline essay
Body para 1
discuss first idea
Body para 2
discuss second idea
Conclusion
revisit main points without repeating

12. Practice
Look at this question and analyze it
Nowadays, most people in cities live in large
apartment blocks.
Does this kind of accommodation have more
advantages or disadvantages?
You can read my sample answer here.