Unlock examiner-grade IELTS Writing skills
High-scoring essays are not accidents. They follow a disciplined routine that blends research-backed planning, lexical precision, and relentless feedback loops. Deploy this framework to turn every prompt into a structured argument that examiners reward.
Pre-writing ritual (7 minutes)
- Decode the task: highlight topic, viewpoint, and instruction words (discuss, to what extent, advantages/disadvantages).
- ICE introduction: Issue, Claim, Extent. Paraphrase the prompt, state your stance, and define the scope you will cover.
- POWER grid: Point, Observation, Why, Evidence, Result. Sketch two grids—one per body paragraph—so you never drift mid-essay.
Paragraph blueprint
Paragraph 1 · Policy lens
- Point: State the policy-level idea (e.g., "Governments should subsidise urban public transit").
- Observation: Paint the problem with a statistic or scenario.
- Why: Explain the consequence of inaction in one tight sentence.
- Evidence: Drop a precise example (real city, report, or expert study).
- Result: Tie back to the prompt, proving the idea addresses the question.
Paragraph 2 · Human lens
Mirror the structure but switch perspective—companies, communities, or individuals. Use contrast markers (however, by contrast) to show range and balance.
Lexical upgrade packs
| Bland term | High-impact alternative | Sample usage |
|---|---|---|
| help | catalyse / accelerate | "Public grants catalyse clean-tech adoption." |
| people | stakeholders / constituents | "Stakeholders demand transparent reporting." |
| good | transformative / equitable | "Equitable taxation funds transformative services." |
Grammar range checklist
- Embed concessive clauses: While remote work expands opportunity, policymakers must...
- Use inversions for emphasis: Rarely do regulators prioritise preventive care.
- Alternate sentence length to create rhythm and clarity.
Feedback loop that actually works
Never file an essay without tagging errors. Label each sentence for Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar to see which descriptor drags you down.
- Record yourself reading the essay aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- Highlight repeated words in yellow and replace two of them with upgraded synonyms.
- Rewrite the conclusion in under forty words—brevity shows control.
Weekly writing menu
| Day | Focus | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Task 1 training | 150-word report, emphasise comparisons. |
| Wednesday | Task 2 outline speed | 3 outlines in 15 minutes. |
| Saturday | Full mock | Task 1 + Task 2 under exam timing. |
| Sunday | Feedback + rewrite | Implement tutor suggestions, track improvements. |
Mindset reminders
Write like a problem-solver, not a student chasing word counts. Examiners reward clarity, data-backed examples, and confident tone. Keep a journal of examiner phrases you admire and recycle them strategically.