The key to writing a good IELTS essay for task 2 is to use a process or system. To write an essay that will bring you success in the IELTS exam you need to think, not just about the result, but consider the process too. An essay is the product of a process and if you leave out just one step in the process the result may be less than ideal.

Writing a good IELTS Writing Task 2 starts with understanding the steps in the process and what the outcomes should be. Remember, you are recommended to spend 40 minutes on this task and you should write at least 250 words.

In this article you’ll learn the following.

* Why using a system or process is essential to the success of your writing task

* A recommended process with suggestions on how you should handle each step in the process

* How an explanation of what can go wrong and what mistakes you’re likely to make if you skip that step in the process

There is no magic formula to writing an excellent IELTS essay but the secret is to have a system and to adapt that system to one that gives you the best results.

Let’s look at the IELTS essentials for Task 2

Step 1 – read the question and understand what the examiner is asking

Make sure that you understand what question is being asked. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to go off on a tangent and fail to answer the question. IELTS questions are precisely worded and they require a specific answer. Time spent reading the question and understanding the requirements is time well spent. It is the surest way to ensure that you answer the question well.

IELTS is very specific and it is not okay to write about the general topic. Instead the answer must be very specific and pointed.

Common errors

* You completely misunderstand the question

* The question looks like one that you have written in the past. You rewrite the same answer only to find that the question was not the same.

* Your essay is too general and doesn’t answer the question that was asked.

Step 2 – think about what you’re going to write for task 2

This is the stage at which you plan the essay, but you can’t just plan. You must think. Don’t just react with a ready-made essay which may or may not answer the question asked. You need to carefully read the question and decide how you can answer it using your language skills, your experience, and your knowledge.

Of course the essay that you have previously written may offer you some insights, vocabulary and even ideas, but make sure that what you use applies without doubt to the question which has been asked in the exam. It is as important that you consider parts of previous essays to include in the answer as it is to know what parts to exclude.

Common errors

* You set off to write the exam without putting in enough thought and part way through you realize that you haven’t answered the question, or the essay is incoherent. Now it is too late to start again.

* You fail to answer the question asked.

Writing the essay

Every essay should have three parts, so it is useful to consider each part of the essay as a step in the process of essay writing.

Step 3 – writing the introduction

The introduction is an important step in the writing process. It sets the tone and gives the examiner the first impression of your skills and abilities, so if you get the introduction wrong you could start off on the wrong foot.

The introduction should link your answer to the question. You should,