Read the Instructions for Each

Task Carefully. Answer Both of

the Tasks. Write at least 150
Words for Task 1. Write at least
250 Words for Task 2. You Will
Be Allowed 1 Hour to Complete
Two Tasks in the IELTS General
Training Writing Test. You
Should Spend About 20 Minutes
on Task 1. You Should Spend
About 40 Minutes on Task 2

IELTS
WRITING
NOTES
IELTS Course – Notes on
Writing Section

Srinath N.K
 IELTS WRITING NOTES

➢ Opinion Essay (Agree / Disagree)

➢ Advantage / Disadvantage Essay
➢ Problem & Solution Essay
➢ Discussion Essay (Discuss both views and give your opinion)
➢ Two-part Question Essay

➢ Question Analysis
➢ Planning
➢ Introduction
➢ Main Body Passage
➢ Conclusion

➢ Write an essay in response to the question

➢ Write 250 words or more
➢ Spend around 40 minutes on both tasks
➢ Task 2 is worth 2/3rds (two-thirds) of the total marks
Lexical Resource = Use of Vocabulary

➢ Simple Sentence
➢ Compound Sentence
➢ Complex Sentence
➢ Passive Sentence
➢ Question Sentence
➢ Conditional Sentence

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

[What is your opinion?]

[Do you agree or disagree?]

[To what extent do you agree or disagree?]

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2 - Give your opinion. (It is agreed / disagreed… (or) This essay agrees
/ disagrees…)
Sentence 3 – Outline Sentence (This essay will discuss…)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 2 - Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3 - Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 2 - Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3 - Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1 - Summary of main points and opinion

➢ After ➢ Although ➢ As ➢ Because

➢ Before ➢ Even if ➢ Even Though ➢ If

➢ In Order to ➢ Once ➢ Rather Than ➢ Since

➢ So that ➢ Then ➢ That ➢ Though
➢ Unless ➢ Until ➢ Whenever ➢ Where
➢ Where as ➢ Who ➢ Whether ➢ While
➢ Which

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

1. Adding similar ideas: In addition…, Another reason is…, Equally…

2. Contrasting Ideas: In contrast…, On the other hand…, On the contrary…,
Although…
3. Giving examples or evidence: For example…, For instance…, To illustrate
this…,
4. Explaining results: As a result…, For this reason…, Consequently…
5. Sequencing: Firstly…, Secondly…, Next…, To begin with…
6. Providing explanations: Owing to…, Because of…, Due to…
7. Drawing conclusions: In conclusion…, To sum up…
8. Introducing your opinion: In my opinion…, To my mind…, It seems to me
that…

STRUCTURE FOR ESSAY 1

[Discuss the advantages and disadvantages...]

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase question
Sentence 2 - Outline sentence
Supporting Paragraph 1 (Advantages)
Sentence 3 - Topic sentence (Advantages)
Sentence 4 - Explain how it's an advantage
Sentence 5 - Example
Supporting Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)
Sentence 6 - Topic sentence (Disadvantages)
Sentence 7 - Explain how it's a disadvantage
Sentence 8 - Example
Conclusion
Sentence 9 - Summary of main points

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

STRUCTURE FOR ESSAY 2

[Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?]

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase question
Sentence 2 - Thesis statement (state which one outweighs the other)
Sentence 3 - Outline sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Stronger Side)
Sentence 4 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 5 - Explain why it is strong
Sentence 6 - Example
Sentence 7 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 8 - Explain why it is strong
Sentence 9 - Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 (Weaker Side)
Sentence 10 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 11 - Explain why it is not strong
Sentence 12 - Example
Conclusion
Sentence 13 - Summary of main points and restate position.

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

STRUCTURE FOR ESSAY 3

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase question
Sentence 2 - Thesis statement (Your opinion)
Sentence 3 - Outline sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages)
Sentence 4 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 5 - Explain
Sentence 6 - Example
Main Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)
Sentence 7 - Topic Sentence
Sentence 8 - Explain
Sentence 9 - Example
Main Body Paragraph 3 (Opinion)
Sentence 10 - Explain your opinion
Sentence 11 - Explain or give example
Conclusion
Sentence 12 - Summary of main points.

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2 - State Both Points of View
Sentence 2 - Thesis Statement
Sentence 3 - Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1 - State first viewpoint
Sentence 2 - Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 3 - Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4 - Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1 - State second viewpoint
Sentence 2 - Discuss second viewpoint
Sentence 3 - Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4 - Example to support your view
Conclusion
Sentence 1 - Summary
Sentence 2 - State which one is better or more important

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase the question
Sentence 2 - Outline sentence (State what you will discuss in the rest of the essay)
Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause
Sentence 3 - State the problem or cause
Sentence 4 - Explain what the problem or cause is
Sentence 5 - What is the result of this problem
Sentence 6 - Example
Main body paragraph 2 – Solution
Sentence 7 - State the solution
Sentence 8 - Explain how the solution will solve the problem
Sentence 9 - Example
Conclusion
Sentence 10 - Summarise of main points
Sentence 11 - Prediction or Recommendation [Optional]

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

Introduction
Sentence 1 - Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2 - Outline Sentence (Mention Both Questions)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1 - Answer first question directly
Sentence 2 - Explain why
Sentence 3 - Further explain
Sentence 4 - Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1 - Answer second question directly
Sentence 2 - Explain why
Sentence 3 - Further explain
Sentence 4 - Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1 – Summary

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

LETTER WRITING [TASK 1]

➢ Formal Letter: Writing to someone you have not met, whose name you do
not know.
➢ Semi-Formal Letter: Writing to someone you may or may not have met,
whose last name you know.
➢ Informal Letter: Writing to someone you know well, whose first name you
know.

➢ Do everything you are asked to do

➢ Give a full developed response
Task Achievement
➢ Include/Cover all the necessary points
➢ Write 150 words
Coherence:
➢ Present ideas logically
➢ Use structured paragraphs

Cohesion:
Coherence & Cohesion
➢ Write so points stick together, make
sense, and convey your message
➢ Use standard expressions & transition
words. For example, although,
whereas, moreover etc.
➢ Use a wide range of vocabulary
naturally, correctly and fluently
➢ Use correct spelling
Lexical Resource
➢ Choose the right words (word choice)
➢ Use the correct form of words such as
verbs, nouns etc. (word form)
➢ Use a wide range of grammar
structures
➢ Include different kinds of sentences –
Grammar Range & Accuracy
simple, compound, complex
➢ Use effective punctuation
➢ Use correct capitalization

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

➢ Letter of complaint
➢ Application or resignation letter
➢ Inviting a friend or colleague to join you at an event or social occasion
➢ Making a request
➢ Making formal arrangements
➢ Explaining something to a friend or colleague
➢ Making an apology
FORMAL LETTER
➢ Requesting information from a company
➢ Applying for a job
➢ Complaining to a bank, store, airline, etc. For example: Complaining about
product/service, making a recommendation/suggestion etc
SEMI - FORMAL LETTER
➢ Complaining to a landlord
➢ Explaining to a neighbour
➢ Asking a professor for permission
INFORMAL LETTER
➢ Inviting someone you know well
➢ Thanking a friend
➢ Apology
➢ Asking for advice

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

TYPE PURPOSE SALUTATION ENDING

Writing to someone
you have not met, ➢ Yours faithfully
Formal Dear Sir/Madam
whose name you do ➢ Kind regards
not know.
Writing to someone Dear Mr/Ms
you may or may not [Last Name]
Semi-Formal Yours sincerely
have met, whose last Example:
name you know. Dear Mr. Prasad
Dear [First ➢ Best regards
Writing to someone
Name] ➢ Warm wishes
Informal you know well, whose
Example: ➢ With love
first name you know.
Dear John ➢ All the best

Dear [X]

Paragraph 1: Explain why you are writing the letter

Paragraph 2: Bullet point 1
Paragraph 3: Bullet point 2
Paragraph 4: Bullet point 3

Closing Remark (For example: I look forward to hearing from you etc.)

Ending (Use optimal ending based on given situation and type of letter)

Your Name

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

FORMAL LETTER
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inquire about…
I am writing in connection with…
SEMI - FORMAL LETTER
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I am writing to inform you that…
I am writing to…
INFORMAL LETTER
Dear Waseem,
[General, friendly paragraph]
Acknowledge your friendship first, before explaining the reason for your letter.
In fact, the first paragraph could include just friendly small talk, unrelated to the
reason for your writing.
For example:
Dear Waseem,
I hope you and your family are all well! It was so wonderful to spend time with
all of you last month. It felt great to catch up with you and Kaushik, get to know
your child and have fun together after so long. You have always been dear friends
of mine and always will be.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing is that I have some good news, I am getting
married in September…
APOLOGY
Please accept my sincere apologies for…
I am sorry about…
Sorry for…
ASKING FOR HELP
I’d be grateful if you could…
I would appreciate it if you could…
Could you please…

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

ASKING FOR INFORMATION

I am writing to enquire about…
I am writing to find out about…
I would like to know about…
CLOSING
I look forward to hearing from you,
I look forward to seeing you,
I look forward to meeting you,
COMPLAINING
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…
I am writing to express my annoyance with…
I’m not happy with…
EXPRESSING SATISFACTION
I was delighted to learn that…
I was thrilled to hear that…
I was very glad to hear that…
EXPRESSING CONCERN
I am writing to express my concern about…
I was very sorry to learn that…
I was really sorry to hear that…
GIVING BAD NEWS
I regret to advise you that…
I regret to inform you that…
I am sorry to tell you that…

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 IELTS WRITING NOTES

GIVING GOOD NEWS

I am pleased to advise you that…
I am delighted to inform you that…
I am happy to tell you that…
GIVING REASONS
This is due to…
This is a result of…
… This is because…
MAKING SUGGESTIONS
Perhaps it would be useful to…
Perhaps it would be possible to…
It might be helpful to…
THANKING
I am extremely grateful for…
I really appreciate…
Thank you for…

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