IELTS Academic Essay Writing Guide
Article 2: Planning and Structuring Your Essay
The Blueprint for Success
A high-scoring essay is like a well-built house: it needs a solid blueprint. The first 5-10 minutes of your writing time are the most critical. Investing this time in planning and structuring ensures your essay is logical, coherent, and directly answers the question. This lesson will show you how to create the perfect blueprint every time.
Step 1: Deconstruct the Prompt (2 Minutes)
Before you can answer the question, you need to know exactly what it's asking. Break it down into parts.
Sample Question:
"Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
1. Identify Keywords:
These are the main topics. You must include them in your essay to stay on track.
unpaid community service, compulsory, high school programmes
2. Find the Instruction Words:
This tells you what to do. It determines the type of essay you will write.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(This means you must give a clear opinion).
Step 2: Brainstorm & Outline (5 Minutes)
Now, generate ideas and organize them into a simple, logical structure. This outline is your map.
Brainstorming
My Opinion: Strongly Agree
Reason 1 (For Body Para 1):
- Develops skills (empathy, leadership)
- Real-world experience
- Example: Volunteering at a nursing home
Reason 2 (For Body Para 2):
- Helps the community
- Volunteers for charities
- Example: Toronto school programme helping food banks
Simple Outline
Introduction:
Agree that compulsory service is beneficial.
Body 1:
Benefit 1: Personal development for students.
Body 2:
Benefit 2: Strengthens society and helps organizations.
Conclusion:
Restate opinion - it's a vital step for students and society.
The Universal 4-Paragraph Structure
Your introduction should be short, clear, and achieve two goals.
Sentence 1: Paraphrase the Question
Rewrite the topic from the question in your own words. This shows the examiner you understand the prompt.
Sentence 2: Write Your Thesis Statement
This is the most important sentence in your essay. It clearly states your opinion (for opinion essays) or outlines what you will discuss.
This is where you develop your main ideas. Each body paragraph should focus on one central point. A great way to structure them is using the P.E.E.L. method.
P - Point: Start with a Topic Sentence
State the main idea of the paragraph clearly.
E - Explain: Develop Your Point
Explain what you mean in more detail. Why is your point true?
E - Example: Support Your Point
Give a specific example from your own knowledge or experience to make your argument stronger.
L - Link: Connect Back to the Question
Briefly link the point back to your overall argument or the question (often optional or combined with the explanation).
Your conclusion should summarize your essay and leave a lasting impression. Do NOT introduce new ideas here.
Sentence 1: Restate Your Thesis
Summarize your main argument or opinion in different words from the introduction.
Sentence 2: Summarize Your Main Points
Briefly mention the key ideas from your body paragraphs.