IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structure

Writing an essay for IELTS Writing task 2 is not easy. It means fashioning a set of ideas. The structure of an essay is mostly linear, i.e., they focus on one idea at a time. Structuring is essential for arriving at a logical conclusion. Well-structured essays help to convey the ideas in a classified way.

A typical IELTS Writing task 2 question will consist of many different types such as -

• Opinion essays
• Discussion essays
• Advantage and Disadvantage essays
• Cause and Effect essays
• Direct question essays

Every essay performs several different operations: introducing the argument, raising the counterargument, supporting arguments, and concluding. Introduction and conclusion have fixed places, but counterarguments or supporting arguments don’t.

3 questions need to be addressed while writing the task 2 essays:

What:

• What generally analyses the topic of the essay.
• What is addressed at the beginning of the essay and often comes directly in the introduction.

How:

• How is generally addressed in the supporting paragraphs.
• Hows’ generally challenge the argument.
• It also refers to strengthening the validity of the argument with the help of supporting arguments.

Why:

• It helps to explain why your main argument is valid.

Mapping an Essay

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. But the most complex part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize your arguments within the body.

Chronological Approach

Structuring the essay is extremely necessary. It means presenting and discussing the arguments in order. The ideas should be related to one another.

Compare and Contrast

The compare and contrast structure helps you to organize the information. It is necessary to find out similarities and differences.

Begin your paragraph with words and phrases like — on the one hand, firstly or to begin with. Then move on to the next paragraph and use phrases like — on the other hand, however. These words will help you to present the other side of the argument.

Given below is the general ruleset for structuring the IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay:

Introduction:

• Paraphrase the title of the question
• Outline the main idea of the essay and identify the thesis statement
• Give your opinion, if asked for one.
• Add the thesis statement

Body Paragraph 1

• Briefly define the main idea of the paragraph
• Explain the idea within and address questions like — how and why
• Given the point of view with valid explanations

Body paragraph 2

• Elaborate or contrast the statement mentioned in the body paragraph 1.
• Give supporting arguments in favour or against the topic.

Conclusion

• Restate your opinion.
• Sum up your arguments.

Types of IELTS Writing task 2 questions:

Agree and Disagree or Opinion

The agree and disagree or the opinion question asks if you agree or disagree with the statement given..

Example:

The key solution for the environmental issues is for the current generation to live a less comfortable life to benefit future generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages question expects you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the given topic.

Here you have to write two paragraphs: One for advantages and the other for disadvantages on the topic.

Example:

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Discussion

The discussion question presents two views about the topic and asks you to discuss your views with supporting statements.

Example:

Some people think that the government should ban dangerous sports, but others think that people should have the freedom to do whatever sport activities they choose, Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Cause and Effect

The cause and effect questions ask you to discuss both causes and effects of the given topic with the supporting statements.

Here you have to write one paragraph explaining the cause and another paragraph for effect.

Example:

Teenagers face a lot of problems in school and at home. What is the cause of this? How can parents solve this problem?

Direct

The direct question gives you a more direct question than other IELTS Writing task 2 question types, and it asks you to explore an idea. It is also called a two-part question because it contains two different questions.

Example:

Some people think that it is good to be ambitious. How important is it to be ambitious? Do you think it’s a good characteristic?

Note: The examples mentioned above are taken from IELTSMaterial eBook.