How to Write an IELTS Essay

Intermediate 10 min 27 steps 4727 views Rating: 4.4/5 Published: 2026-04-05

Read some sample essays online.. Practice answering sample questions from IELTS website.. Purchase the official IELTS practice materials or borrow them from a library.

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Steps

1

Read some sample essays online.

Step 1

Read some sample essays online.

2

Practice answering sample questions from IELTS website.

Step 2

Practice answering sample questions from IELTS website.

3

Purchase the official IELTS practice materials or borrow them from a library.

Step 3

Purchase the official IELTS practice materials or borrow them from a library.

4

Take a preparation course for extra help.

Step 4

Take a preparation course for extra help.

5

Purchase the IELTS progress check for feedback on your improvement.

Step 5

Purchase the IELTS progress check for feedback on your improvement.

6

Describe what kind of chart you see in 150 words in 20 minutes.

Step 6

Describe what kind of chart you see in 150 words in 20 minutes.

7

Plan your answer before you start writing.

Step 7

Plan your answer before you start writing.

8

Paraphrase the question using your own words.

Step 8

Paraphrase the question using your own words.

9

Write an overview stating the most important information.

Step 9

Write an overview stating the most important information.

10

State how the data supports the claim you made in your overview.

Step 10

State how the data supports the claim you made in your overview.

11

Use a tense that matches the time period.

Step 11

Use a tense that matches the time period.

12

Write a formal or personal letter in 150 words in 20 minutes.

Step 12

Write a formal or personal letter in 150 words in 20 minutes.

13

Spend 2-3 minutes planning your response.

Step 13

Spend 2-3 minutes planning your response.

14

Choose a formal, personal, or semi-formal letter based on your relationship with

Step 14

Choose a formal, personal, or semi-formal letter based on your relationship with the recipient.

15

Start with "Dear (Name)" and then a sentence about the purpose of the letter.

Step 15

Start with "Dear (Name)" and then a sentence about the purpose of the letter.

16

Follow the opening sentence with 2-3 paragraphs of 2-4 sentences each.

Step 16

Follow the opening sentence with 2-3 paragraphs of 2-4 sentences each.

17

Close the letter with an appropriate sign-off.

Step 17

Close the letter with an appropriate sign-off.

18

Spend 2 minutes proofreading your letter.

Step 18

Spend 2 minutes proofreading your letter.

19

Plan to spend 40 minutes writing a 350-word opinion essay.

Step 19

Plan to spend 40 minutes writing a 350-word opinion essay.

20

Spend 3-5 minutes planning your response.

Step 20

Spend 3-5 minutes planning your response.

21

Rephrase the question in your own words in your introduction.

Step 21

Rephrase the question in your own words in your introduction.

22

Use transition phrases and signposting throughout the essay.

Step 22

Use transition phrases and signposting throughout the essay.

23

Give your opinion on the question in the second sentence of your introduction.

Step 23

Give your opinion on the question in the second sentence of your introduction.

24

Support your opinion using 2-3 body paragraphs.

Step 24

Support your opinion using 2-3 body paragraphs.

25

Show the other side of your argument in the last body paragraph.

Step 25

Show the other side of your argument in the last body paragraph.

26

Summarize why you think your opinion is the right one in 1-2 conclusion sentence

Step 26

Summarize why you think your opinion is the right one in 1-2 conclusion sentences.

27

Leave yourself a few minutes to edit, if possible.

Step 27

Leave yourself a few minutes to edit, if possible.

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