Task 2 Essay Structure
A good structure forms the basis of your answer. It helps show you can write logically.
Hello again!
Glad to see you have taken the initiative to learn how to structure a Task 2 essay. Too many students fail to learn a writing structure, end up underachieving and having to resit the exam over and over again.
Like anything in the IELTS, the examiner wants to see you know exactly how to answer a question. If you fail to impress them, you cannot achieve a Band 7+ score. It’s that simple.
Poor essay structure = Poor score
I know I keep mentioning the band descriptors, but you simply HAVE to know what these are. After all, this is how the examiner marks your answer. So, if you haven’t done so yet, click the red button below for the band descriptors. Remember, there are 4 parts:
- Task response/achievement – how well you fulfil the requirements of the task
- Coherence & cohesion – how clear and fluent your writing is
- Lexical resource – range and appropriate use of vocabulary
- Grammatical range & accuracy – range and appropriate use of grammar
You need to show good understanding in all 4 criteria to score Band 7+ overall. Writing a structured essay will help you achieve this.
So, you are probably asking ‘How do I structure a task 2 essay?!’
Well, here’s how…
The Band 7+ Task 2 Essay Structure:
Your Task 2 essay should follow this structure if you want to achieve Band 7+.
OK, so what does this mean?
Well, to put it simply, there should be 4 paragraphs to your essay. These should each have their own specific content (shown below).
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Paragraph 2 – Discuss one MAIN aspect of the question
Paragraph 3 – Discuss another MAIN aspect of the question
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion
This is an overview of the structure of your essay. Each paragraph should have specific sentences within.
Here’s a little bit more detail…
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
There should be 2 or 3 parts to the introduction, depending which type of question you get asked. You should: paraphrase the question, write a sentence giving YOUR opinion (if necessary) and write a sentence describing the aim of your essay.
Paragraph 2 – Answer the first part of the question
There should be 3 parts to this paragraph. You need to discuss the 1st part of the question, justify your view and give and example or two.
Paragraph 3 – Answer the second part of the question.
This should follow the same pattern as Paragraph 2 – discuss the 2nd part of the question, justify your view and give and example or two.
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion
The conclusion paragraph should have two parts. A summary and your opinion (if necessary).
With practice, essay writing will become second-nature, but it does take effort & a lot of practice.
**REMEMBER**
DO NOT attempt to do this in the real IELTS unless you PRACTICE!
Good luck with the practice!
Let us know how you get on and don’t forget to share this page with your IELTS friends!
Speak soon!
Sam