IELTS Writing Task 2: plan an essay and develop paragraphs

Separate the topic from the instructions

Identify the issue, the people involved and any limits in the question. Then list what you must do: state how far you agree, discuss two views, explain causes or suggest solutions. If the task asks two questions, answer both.

IELTS Academic Task 2 requires at least 250 words. About 40 minutes is the recommended time allocation, and Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. Reserve time for argument development and checking instead of spending the whole session on chart description.

Choose ideas you can explain

Write one sentence stating your position, then choose two main ideas you can develop. For each, note a reason, how it affects the issue and a relevant example. If you have only a keyword and cannot explain the connection, choose a more manageable idea.

There is no paragraph count that fits every prompt. Each paragraph should serve a purpose and the position in the conclusion should agree with the introduction. A discussion task requires a fair treatment of both views as well as your own opinion when requested.

Develop a point instead of listing claims

Consider a practice topic about remote work. The paragraph below was written for this guide; it has no official band score. It connects a benefit, an explanation and a concrete situation.

You do not need to invent research, survey percentages or named experts to make an example convincing. A plausible situation explained clearly and connected directly to the claim can make the reasoning easier to follow.

Remote work can make employment more accessible to people who live far from major cities. When a role does not require daily office attendance, applicants can accept it without relocating. For example, a designer in a smaller town could collaborate with a city-based team while remaining close to family.

Revise using the four assessment areas

For Task Response, check coverage and development. For Coherence and Cohesion, check paragraph order, reasoning and references. For Lexical Resource, prioritise accurate meanings and natural combinations. For Grammatical Range and Accuracy, consider both variety and control.

An AI suggestion does not require you to replace your whole style. Compare it with your original meaning and rewrite the sentence yourself. AI scores are estimates for practice, not a band awarded by an IELTS examiner.

Build a focused practice cycle

Select Task 2 in the IELTS room, write a first response and keep it. Choose one weakness, such as an example that needs explanation. Rewrite that paragraph before moving to another question, then check later responses for the same problem.

• Answer every part of the prompt.
• Keep a consistent position and explain each main idea.
• Use relevant examples without fabricated evidence.
• Write at least 250 words and allow checking time.