05/05/2018
Organising Thoughts in Task 2 Writing
This is a very long post and would be the content of a normal 2 hour writing class if I was doing this in an IELTS preparation class so take your time and go slowly through the points raised here.
It seems obvious but to organise your thoughts for a Task 2 IELTS essay, read the question and answer the question. This is the biggest failing in the writing test, a mistake made even by native English speakers: some candidates do not answer the question. I have seen this mistake made even by teachers of IELTS classes!
Here is an example.
Some people say that international sports help to improve understanding between nations. Others think that they are a waste of money.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
To answer this question correctly there are 3 parts:
1. why do some people think that international sports improves understanding
2. why do some people think international sports are a waste of money
3. what is your opinion
If any one of these parts is left out, you will get a low score for the first assessment criteria 'Task Response'.
Look at what the Public Band Descriptors say about this:
Band 5 TR:
• addresses the task only partially;
• expresses a position but the development is not always clear
• presents some main ideas but these are limited and not sufficiently developed
[I have left out one comment at B5: "the format may be inappropriate in places" - this means DO NOT DO what I just did above - DO NOT use dot points or bullet points. It is written clearly in the Public Band Descriptors but candidates break this rule all the time - DO NOT USE DOT OR BULLET POINTS.
What score will you get for TR if you break this rule.
Yes - B5 and it will be B5 even if you are a native speaker and get B9 for all other criteria!]
How do you begin an essay like this?
First, take a side. Write a two-sentence introduction in which you MAKE YOUR OPINION CLEAR. The first sentence is a general introduction to the topic and the second gives your clear opinion but also mentions the other side and you do this with a subordinate clause because this will help with your grammar score.
"Many people have strong opinions about the value of international sports. While some people contend that competition between nations is a misuse of money, it is clear that such competitions are mandatory if international understanding is to improve."
This is quite a high-level introduction because it attempts to use high level grammar and vocabulary but it could be written more simply but still present the writer's view very clearly.
Why is is necessary to write introductions like this?
Look at what the Public Band Descriptors say at B7:
- presents a clear position throughout the response
I do not want the Examiner to have any doubt at all about what my view is on this issue and I have achieved this int he second sentence of the introduction.
I do not say: 'I will discuss this side and then the other side and after due consideration I will give my opinion.' Why not?
I do not write this way because it does not make my position clear from the beginning and will prevent me from getting B7 for TR.
A quick note on the body paragraphs. The body paragraphs will follow the exact order of the introduction:
- why some people think international sports is a waste of money
- why I think they are necessary for better understanding between nations
I do not need a third paragraph with my opinion because my opinion is spread throughout the entire essay.
The first body paragraph might begin: "Some people may maintain that competition between nations is a waste of money for several reasons. Some will argue, for example, that money can be better spent on healthcare and education. If governments spend their limited resources on education, for instance, the teachers will be able to discuss with the students the cultures of other nations and help them come to an understanding of others that will not be limited to only the people who play sports. Consequently, every person throughout the nation will come to a better understanding of others and this will ultimately have benefits for the country economically as it will be able to build better business contacts and will not waste money on military and arms spending."
Note the important elements of this paragraph. It really only has one main point: that government should spend money on education and healthcare. Importantly, it then expands on the value of spending money on education in building better understanding and also expands the argument further to say what benefits might result for the country in doing this. That is, the main point is supported and expanded. And most importantly, I am directly answering the question.
The second body paragraph must be a direct response to the questions asked and might begin:
"Nevertheless, despite these arguments, it is imperative that international competition continues because of its enormous positive impact on the understanding we have of other nations. The direct contact between sportspeople from many nations leads to a deep understanding that we are all alike despite the physical differences that might be apparent such as the way we look or colour of our skin. This means that when sportspeople return home they will be able to talk to others about their experiences and convince them that people of the world have more similarities between them than differences. This will have a great impact on the public because these sports people are greatly admired, far more than a teacher, and their words will have a far greater positive effect than the words of a teacher in a school."
This paragraph does much the same as the previous one: it presents a main point - 'international sports must continue' - and then supports wy they should continue and expands the ideas to say how they help improve understanding. This sort of development and expansion of the ideas is essential for achieving a higher band score.
Look at what the Public Band Descriptors say at B7:
- presents, extends and supports main ideas
If a candidate fails to do this, they cannot achieve B7 for TR.
The ideas you use in an essay do not have to be complicated but they do have to be supported and extended. You can do this with simple ideas and still get a high mark.