How To Organize An IELTS Essay

By About IELTS Last updated Apr 11, 2022

Some students do not prefer organizing the essay well in writing an IELTS essay. But it is essential to design and arrange your essay for IELTS to score well in coherence and cohesion criteria of your writing evaluation. By reading the streamlined essay, the examiner will get a better description of your task response, and as a result, you will get a better band score.

Table of Contents

So, How to organize an IELTS essay well?

It means that all the writing ideas are logically interconnected, understandably arranged, and provide great clarity to the reader

How to organize IELTS WritingTask 2 into the Four Paragraph Essay

Why is structure important?

Because it helps you organize your thoughts, write faster, and focus on your ideas/language.

I recommend using four to five paragraphs for the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.

Introduction
Body 1
Body 2
Body 3 (optional)
Conclusion

The time for task 2 is 40 minutes, so try to organize your time as follows. Read the question in the first 10 minutes to make sure you understand what you are looking for. Plan your four-paragraph essay (introduction, two main paragraphs, conclusions) and brainstorm the two main paragraphs’ ideas for most 10 minutes.

5 minutes Write an introductory text: 2-3 sentences are enough

20 minutes Dedicate 10 minutes to each Paragraph of the text. These are the essential parts of your essay and the key to getting a high score.

5 minutes Write a short conclusion and review your work.

Note: these are suggestions, not rules. Students are often surprised at my 10 minute planning time. It really works; a good plan helps you write an essay much faster than you think.

Essay Question Types

Opinion Question (e.g., To what extent do you agree or disagree?)
Discussion Question (e.g., Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.)
Problem-solving (e.g., Explain this problem and suggest some solutions.)
Two-part

Arguments, ideas, and evidence refer to how well you answer the question. In other words, you must speak about what the question asks you to talk about. If you don’t, your essay may not be relevant, or you may lose vision of the issue and may lose marks. Indeed, if you know what you are supposed to speak about in your essay, you will be able to think of many more ideas than if you just begin writing without thinking about the essay question first.

Now see what points I will keep in mind while writing for Task 2 essay.

I have read the question very carefully; maybe three times, I ask myself, “What is the essay topic? What is the question I am asked to write about?”
I highlight the key elements that should be included in the essay and answer accordingly
Now, I think about the structure of my Paragraph. I can write any 4 paragraph essay. All I need to do is decide what to put in each section.
If I have to give my opinion, I think, “What is the easiest opinion to explain? What good lexical resource can I use?”
Next, I write a few vocabulary words about the topic.
I try to write two sentences for the introduction: I introduce the topic and give a simple answer (including my opinion if it has been asked)
I write short “topic sentences” to start each Paragraph, then formulate my ideas by explaining and supporting examples.
I periodically check the question to see if I am answering each part.
I know I write ten words in each line. It would be easy for me to check the approximate number of words I have written.
If more words are required, I expand on one example in the main body paragraph

Now what you learned.

THE STRUCTURE – How To Organize An IELTS Essay?

Place your ideas into paragraphs.
Write around four paragraphs to get a good score.
Desirable paragraphing shows the examiner that your essay is well organized.
It also helps you compose well-developed sentences.
In this way, your essay will meet the 250-word requirement.

Paragraphs sometimes confuse students because they don’t know when to start a new paragraph, but we will learn today and make it easy for you.

The first paragraph is the introduction to the essay. This Paragraph should include a clear dissertation statement. And this is a sentence that identifies your main idea; it can also give the reader an overview of your supporting points.

» READ MORE: Instructions On How to Write IELTS Writing Task 1

How To Write An Introduction

In the second Paragraph, you should expand your first supporting point. Your essay may be more convincing if you state your most vital point in this Paragraph.

In Paragraphs 3 and 4, You should describe your main idea in the third Paragraph. Here you should give another supporting point for your argument. Then write about the third supporting point in Paragraph four. It could be a supporting detail that you consider as the weakest.

You can merge these two points into one Paragraph.

Paragraph 5 (Conclusion) In the last paragraph of the essay, you should conclude. The result should sum up your argument.

TO SUM UP AGAIN

Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when creating an outline:

Spend 5-7 minutes. You can create an outline on the exam book’s first blank page. Computer-assisted IELTS provides scrap paper for this purpose. Write in point format or use flow charts as needed. Your examiner will not read it!

Make sure the outline includes: overall argument/opinion.

Support Point # 1 (This will be the first paragraph after the introduction text) Example (real or fictitious)

Support Point # 2 (This will be the second Paragraph) Subsequent examples

When you’re done, take a quick look at the following items:

Is your argument or opinion clear?
Is it just to the point?
Are supporting points are simple to understand?
Do they follow from argument or opinion?
Do they address the task?

If you do this well, you can ensure high task achievement and high coherence/coherence band values.

It’s like getting 50% of your score before you start writing!

Analyzing and understanding the question – How To Organize An IELTS Essay?

Note that your ideas are essential and can make a big difference in the essay’s quality. However, it is challenging to think of good, relevant ideas without understanding the title or question. So give a few minutes of thinking carefully about the title. Learn it; a few minutes spent planning the essay could improve your essay writing score by one band!

Let’s take an example:

Nuclear power is far too dangerous. Therefore, countries should ban its use and concentrate instead on developing alternative sources of energy such as hydroelectric power, wind power, and solar energy. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

When analyzing the title, the first thing to do is to underline the vital information. This enables you to think carefully about what the question is asking.

Example

You are now able to rewrite the question using your own words. If you do, it helps you understand the question more clearly.

Example

Because nuclear power is so dangerous, countries should use safer methods of producing electricity.

Finding the issues

The next step in analyzing the question is to think about the issues. This is an essential part of question analysis. If you don’t think about the issues, you will find it very difficult to think of good, relevant ideas. It is an issue that you should talk about in your essay.

Example

There are two main issues in this question:

Economic issue
Environmental issue

In other words, nuclear power is cheap and efficient to produce, and therefore, it can save a country a lot of money. It is an economic issue. It is also a clean form of energy. Consequently, it does not pollute the environment (an environmental issue).

Coming up with ideas: Brainstorming

Note: Having identified the issues, you are well prepared to think of ideas. Once again, look at the question:

We have identified two main issues in the essay topic, one is an economic issue, and the other is environmental issues. We now need to consider the consequences of using nuclear power in terms of the environment and the economy. One way is to look at each issue and brainstorm ideas. It enables us to develop sound, relevant ideas.

Brainstorming is a way of thinking of as many ideas as possible and developing creative thinking skills. It also means you also think of many ideas you can discuss in your essay.

Once again, let us return to the question itself. However, this time, instead of thinking about the question, let us consider the question.

Organizing Your Ideas

Having brainstormed ideas, we can now list the hypotheses, categorizing them for and against.

For Nuclear Power

Doesn’t use natural resources
Clean and cheap
Cheap electricity
People have more money
Consumerism increases
Efficient
Money saved can be used for education
Improves the economy
Food for the environment ‘Reduced labour costs)

Against Nuclear Power

Dangerous
Expensive to build Nuclear waste
Treatment
How to Deal With it
Accidents
former Soviet Union Disaster
Transport
Reduced labour costs Storage
Health issues
Unemployment

For Alternative Sources

Sustainable resources
Saves the environment
No pollution
Doesn’t use fossil fuels
Safe and clean

Against Alternative Sources

Expensive
Need expensive R&D
Developing economies (global effort)
Needs large areas of land
Damage to the environment

Test Tip

There will be no time to organize all your information in the IELTS tests this way. However, if you use this technique to develop your essay and writing skills, writing a good essay will become more comfortable and easy.

This will help you to get an improved score.

Writing An Essay Plan

Essay plans are a useful way to organize your ideas. They ensure that your ideas are relevant and well explained and that your essay is well organized.

However, there are far more ideas than we can use in our essay. Therefore, we have to decide which ideas to use as our topic sentences and which statements explain or support them.

Test Tip

In the IELTS test, your essay is 250 words long. This is a concise essay. Four or five good ideas that are well explained are enough to get a better score.

Writing A Balanced Essay

When writing your essay, it is essential to organize your ideas to give both sides of the argument. That is to say, ideas for and ideas against. Your essay will be well balanced if you do, and this will help you get a higher band score.

Example Essay Plan

For Nuclear Power

Topic of the Paragraph
- Saves natural resources
Supporting idea
- Doesn’t use fossil fuels
- No pollution
- Saves the environment

Against Nuclear Power

Dangerous
- Topic of the paragraph
  - Nuclear waste
- Supporting ideas
  - Treatment
  - How to deal with it?
  - Transport
  - Storage
Health issues
- Topic of the paragraph
  - Health
- Supporting ideas
  - Cancer
  - Food chain

Alternative Source

Topic of the Paragraph
- Expensive
Supporting ideas
- Need expensive R&D
- Developing economies
- A global effort
- Safe and clean

Test Tip

Your ideas are essential. They have to be connected, and you have to convey them well. But remember, your examiner is testing your use of English, not your knowledge.

Writing A Thesis Statement

A thesis statement introduces your main idea and forms the essay’s main topic. A thesis statement is essential because if you don’t state your opinion at the beginning of the essay, your examiner will find it difficult to follow your argument.

A thesis statement is the main topic of the essay. That is to say, it is your main idea.

Now let us consider that we are against nuclear power and believe that the money spent on building nuclear power stations, developing nuclear energy, and treating nuclear waste, should be spent on research and development of alternative sources of energy. This, then, would form the main topic of the essay

Against

A nuclear accident’s consequences are so severe that its use as an energy source should be banned, with the money being invested in developing sustainable energy sources.

Now let us consider that we are for nuclear power because of its benefits to the economy and its people.

For

There are, of course, many dangers associated with the use of nuclear energy. However, modern technology ensures the risks are minimal, and they are far outweighed by the benefits it can bring to an economy

Test Tip

You don’t have to write an essay that is either for or against the question. You can be somewhere in the middle if you wish.

For example, you may partially agree with the use of nuclear energy, or you may recognize the value of using nuclear power but not be totally in favor of its use.

Example:

1 partially agree with the statement because…

Nuclear energy has many advantages, but I’m not in total favor of its use because…

Writing A Good Paragraph

An essay is a collection of paragraphs. Therefore, if you can write a good paragraph, you can write a good essay. A good paragraph should contain a topic sentence and supporting sentences.

Topic Sentences

Each paragraph should contain only one topic.

The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the Paragraph. This forms the main topic of the Paragraph.

Supporting Sentences

The supporting sentences are the evidence you give to support your topic. Their purpose is to explain your idea to the reader. However, it’s better if the last sentence introduces the next Paragraph’s topic. This makes it easier to follow your ideas.

Topic sentence (the main idea of the Paragraph)

Supporting sentences (explaining the idea)

It’s better if the last sentence introduces the next paragraph’s topic.

Introducing The Topic Of The Next Paragraph

While it is a good idea to introduce the next Paragraph’s topic, it is not always necessary or possible. However, it does improve communicative quality because it makes your ideas or arguments more comfortable to follow. This is because it acts as a link between the paragraphs.

Test Tip

To do well in essay writing, it is imperative to clearly explain your ideas. Remember, a few well-presented ideas are far better than many ideas that are not well explained.

Writing Topic Sentences

Topic sentences introduce the reader to the topic of the Paragraph. They are vital because, without a topic sentence, the reader will find your essay confusing and challenging to follow. And if your writing is confusing and challenging to follow, you won’t be able to get a high band score on the IELTS test

Let us look, again, at our example essay title:

Paragraph One

The topic of the Paragraph: Nuclear energy saves natural resources.

Topic sentence: One of the main benefits of nuclear power is that it doesn’t use natural resources such as coal, gas, and oil.

Paragraph Two

The topic of the Paragraph: Nuclear waste is difficult to treat.

Topic sentence: Dealing with nuclear waste is a big problem.

Paragraph Three

The paragraph topic: Nuclear energy is harmful to people’s health.

Topic sentence: The health of people and other forms of life that live near power stations are also a significant concern.

Paragraph Four

The topic of the Paragraph: Alternative sources of energy are expensive.

Topic sentence: The downside of alternative sources of energy is the cost.

Writing Supporting Sentences

It is essential to remember that the person reading your essay cannot ask you questions if they don’t understand your meaning clearly. Therefore, when communicating in writing, it is your responsibility’ to explain your ideas. This is the purpose of supporting sentences.

Example:

Paragraph 1

Topic sentence: One of the main benefits of nuclear power is that it doesn’t use natural resources such as coal, gas, and oil.

Supporting sentences: It helps protect the environment because fuel such as coal and oil produces waste gases that pollute the atmosphere. It also ensures a reliable supply of electricity for many generations to come.

Paragraph 2

Topic sentence: Dealing with nuclear waste is a big problem.

Supporting sentences: Nuclear waste is hazardous and takes many years before it becomes safe. Even if it is buried, if anything happens, such as an earthquake, the environment’s damage could be severe. Nuclear waste must also be transported to a place where it is stored. If anything happens while it is being transported, an accident, for example, the results could be severe

Paragraph 3

Topic sentence: People’s health and other life forms that live near power stations are also a significant concern.

Supporting sentences: It is not unusual to hear reports that people who live close to a nuclear power station often have cancer. If this is true, then maybe it harms plants and animals. This, then, would present a further danger to the health of people who eat these plants and animals.

Paragraph 4

Topic sentence: The downside of alternative sources of energy is the cost.

Supporting sentences: Take, for example, solar energy. This is an expensive way of producing electricity’ because the technology is relatively underdeveloped. This means electricity is costly for people to buy, which affects the country’s economy and people’s living standards because they have less disposable income to purchase consumer goods or services

Writing General Training Essays

When writing General Training essays, you are expected to discuss your ideas by giving an opinion and supporting your opinion with evidence. In other words, you are supposed to either:

1) Give an opinion and explain your reasons why you think this.
2) Give a problem and suggest a solution. However, all of your ideas must be relevant.

Writing The Body Part

In the general test, you have to give an opinion about the question. In other words, you have to say if you agree with the question or not. You have to give your reasons and explain your reasons in the essay

The safety of nuclear energy is a significant concern. (An opinion)

Reasons:

Indeed, the former Soviet Union’s nuclear accident resulted in devastating environmental damage that extended far beyond the station’s proximity.

Explaining An Idea

Opinion
- Accidents can be severe.
Reasons
- Nuclear power is dangerous.

Opinion
- It can be harmful to people’s health.
Reasons
- High incidences of cancer.
- Food may be affected.

Opinion
- More research is needed into alternative sources of energy.
Reasons
- Presently, it’s too expensive and may be harmful to a country’s economy.
- Natural resources are in short supply.
- Nuclear energy is too dangerous.

Analysis Of The Example Essay

Thesis statement

The consequences of a nuclear accident arc so severe’ that its use as an energy source should be banned, with the money being invested in developing sustainable sources of energy.

Opinion: Nuclear power is hazardous. If there is ever an accident, such as the one that happened in the former Soviet Union in recent years, the consequences to the environment can be disastrous.

Reasons for thinking this. Then, of course, dealing with nuclear waste is a big problem. It is not only with where and how to store it but also how to safely transport it. And once again, should there be an accident whilst the waste is being transported to the storage site, the consequences can be dire indeed.

Opinion: nuclear power is harmful to people’s health, and other life forms near power stations are also a significant concern. Indeed, we often hear reports of high cancer levels amongst people who live close to nuclear power plants

Reasons for thinking this. Thus, we must ask ourselves what effect this has on the food chain. For example, if crops, animals, fish? etc. are also affected, how does this affect the health of people who eat this food?

The problem, including the reasons why many alternative energy sources are expensive, is still underdeveloped. This can seriously affect a country’s economy, especially countries whose economies are still being developed.

A possible solution, However, considering that natural resources such as coal and oil may well be depleted not too far into the future, a global effort to improve solar power efficiency is undoubtedly a far better solution than using nuclear fuel.

Now work and think.
Read the following essay and discuss these questions:
How has the writer of the essay presented his ideas? – How are those ideas explained?
How do you know what the writer’s point of view is?

A nuclear accident’s consequences are so severe that its use as an energy source should be banned, with the money being invested in developing sustainable energy sources.

If there is ever an accident, such as the one that happened in the former Soviet Union in recent years, the consequences to the environment can be disastrous. Indeed, when the accident occurred, large land areas around the station were rendered unusable because of the radiation. But it also affected a much wider area because the wind carried the radiation to many other parts of the globe, especially Western Europe. Therefore, the damage done to people’s health may never be known.

But even without nuclear accidents, the health of people and other forms of life that live near power stations is also a significant concern. Indeed, we often hear reports of high cancer levels amongst people who live close to nuclear power plants. Thus we must ask ourselves what effect this has on the food chain. For example, if crops, animals, fish, etc., are also affected, how does this affect the health of people who eat this food?

However, many alternative energy sources are expensive because it is still underdeveloped. This can seriously affect a country’s economy, especially countries whose economies are yet being developed. However, considering that natural resources such as coal and oil may well deplete not too far into the future, a global effort to improve solar power efficiency is undoubtedly a far better solution than using nuclear fuel.

Author’s Comments

The main issues in this question are the economy and the environment. In this essay, the writer has chosen to focus on the environmental issue rather than the economic issue. This, then, forms the main focus of the essay. However, the writer hasn’t only listed his ideas. Instead, he has discussed them

Paragraph 2 mainly focuses on the writer’s concerns about a nuclear accident’s dangers. To introduce the topic, the author quoted the accident that happened in the former Soviet Union and then explained why he felt this was a severe problem in the remainder of the Paragraph

The third Paragraph builds upon the writer’s concern about the dangers associated with the health of people. However, this time, the writer has discussed that simply living near a nuclear power station can be harmful. Thus the writer has explained his ideas in more depth.

The question, however, mentions nuclear energy and alternative sources of energy. Therefore, it is essential to mention this in the essay. Thus, the writer has briefly discussed this in the last Paragraph. This shows the examiner that the writer can consider both the issues – economic and environmental – and present an opinion.

It is clear from reading the essay that the writer could discuss the issues in greater depth. However, this is not possible because the time (40 minutes) is too short, and the word-length (250 words) is too few. However, this doesn’t matter because what is essential is that the writer has shown his examiner how well he can express his ideas in writing. This is important because this is the skill that is being tested.

Now have a brief understanding of writing the introduction and conclusion

Note: The introduction’s objective is to present the reader to the essay’s main topic (the use of nuclear power, for example) and your opinion (agree, disagree, partially approve, agree on up-to-a-point, etc.). Your thesis statement, therefore, should be included in the introduction. You should not, however, write the title. This will only waste valuable time because your examiner will ignore it.

Writing The Introduction

A Standard Introduction Compared To An IELTS Introduction

Usually, when you write an essay (at university, for example), the introduction introduces the essay topic, leading into your thesis statement.

Read the following examples to the example essay question and think, these

How is the introduction to the standard essay different from the IELTS essay’s introduction?
How has the writer of the essay introduced his opinion?

Nuclear power is far too dangerous. Therefore, countries should ban its use and concentrate, instead, on developing alternative sources of energy such as hydroelectric power, wind power, and solar energy.

A Standard Essay Introduction:

Nuclear power is a relatively recent discovery in the field of physics. Yet, it has proven to be a prevalent method of producing electricity and is used widely by many countries worldwide for this purpose. Using a minimum of natural resources can produce vast amounts of electricity at a cost far lower than traditional methods have thus far been able to achieve. However, it has many disadvantages; namely, it is perilous. As one shall argue, it is far too dangerous to be used to produce electricity.

An IELTS Essay Introduction:

There are, of course, many advantages to using nuclear power. However, in my opinion, I have to agree with the statement that it is far too dangerous to be used as a general source of energy.

Author’s Comments: Standard Introduction

As you can understand from this example, a standard essay introduction is rather long. It introduces the reader to the essay’s general topic, narrowing the focus to the thesis statement.

Author’s Comments: IELTS Introduction

As you can see from this example, an IELTS essay introduction is very brief and tothe-point. It mainly consists of the thesis statement, briefly introducing the writer’s main idea.

An IELTS essay introduction

Analysis Of The General Training Introduction

A brief introduction to the topic: Nuclear power is widely used. And, of course, there are many benefits of using it

My opinion: However, in my opinion, one has to agree with the statement that it is far too dangerous to be used as general energy.

Useful Phrases: General Training Essays

In my opinion,

I believe

I have to agree/disagree because

A better solution is to

Writing The Conclusion

Notes: The conclusion’s objective is to summarize what you said in the essay and restate your perspective. Therefore, you need to consider the main points of each Paragraph.

Example: Summarising The Main Ideas

I was having considered the issues I am not in favour of using nuclear power. This re-states the thesis statement.

The damage resulting from a nuclear accident is too severe to ignore.A Summary of paragraph 2

There’s a severe risk to people’s health. A summary of paragraph 3

More effort should be applied to the development of alternative sources of energy. A summary of paragraph 1 and 4

Example: General Training Summary

Having considered the issues, I am not in favour of using nuclear power because of the potential damage caused by a nuclear accident and the risk to people’s health. Instead, I believe more effort should be applied to developing alternative energy sources.

Useful Phrases: General Training Essays

Having considered

as I have suggested,

it is my belief that

To conclude, I have to say that

NOW Example ESSAY WITH PROPER INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION

Nuclear power is widely used. And, of course, there are many advantages to using it. ‘However, in my opinion, I have to agree with the statement that it is far too dangerous to be used as a general source of energy.

Safety is a big problem. Indeed, if there is ever an accident, such as the one that happened in the former Soviet Union in recent years, the consequences can be disastrous. ‘Then, of course, dealing with nuclear waste is a big problem. That only with where and how to store it and how to transport it safely. And once again, should there be an accident whilst the waste is being transported to the storage site, the consequences can be severe indeed.

The health of people and other forms of life that live near power stations is also a significant concern. Indeed, we often hear reports of high cancer levels amongst people who live close to nuclear power plants. Thus we must ask ourselves what effect this has on the- food chain, for example, if crops, animals, fish, etc., are also affected, how does this affect the health of people who eat this food?

However, any alternative energy sources are expensive because it is still underdeveloped. This can seriously affect a country’s economy, especially countries whose economies are still’ being developed. However, considering that natural resources such as coal, oil, and gas may well be depleted not too far into the future, a global effort to improve the efficiency of, say, solar power is undoubtedly afar better solution than using nuclear fuel.

Having considered the issues, I am not in favour of using nuclear power because of the potential damage of a nuclear accident and the risk to people’s health. Instead, I believe more effort should be applied to developing alternative energy sources.

We have a marvelous essay now, and we can score well, right? So keep practicing and do well.

Some tips for Academic Essays

Note: If you are writing an academic essay, do not use personal pronouns (I, we, you, etc.). Instead, write in the third person passive.

Example:

It is argued that…

It is widely believed that…

Supporters of this theory argue that…..

It can be argued that…

It is essential to consider that…

Test Tip

In academic IELTS writing, you are supposed to write an essay for a college lecturer who has no specialist knowledge in the subject. No one is testing your knowledge. However, you are being assessed on your ability to write in an academic style.

Writing an academic essay is the same as writing a general essay. The only difference is that you discuss your opinion when writing a general essay. In academic essay writing, you present an argument. Therefore, when writing an academic essay, you should argue against the opposing opinions by finding weaknesses in the argument to support your own opinion. In other words, rather than merely explaining your ideas, you are comparing your ideas with other people’s views and opinions.

1) Present the opposing opinion and find problems or weaknesses in that opinion to support your own.
2) Don’t merely explain your own opinions.

Writing The Body Part

Note: In the academic test, you have to present a written argument. In other words, you have to say if you agree with the question or not, and you have to explain your reasons by showing weaknesses in the opposing argument. The opposing argument disagrees with the thesis statement.

Useful Phrases: Academic Essays for introduction

I shall argue that

I propose that

After considering the facts

If you are writing an academic essay, it is acceptable to use personal pronouns in the introduction and conclusion but not the main body.

Test Tip

Do not spend valuable time writing a lengthy introduction and conclusion. Instead, keep them brief and to-the-point. They are essential, but the essay’s main body is more important.

Useful Phrases: Academic Essays for the conclusion

After considering the facts…………

As I have argued above…………

To sum……

As I have argued in the essay,…….. therefore I believe that.

Whilst there are many advantages……. I believe that

I hope you can understand well about the organization of the essay. You can practice more and in a structured manner from the list of recent topics here. You can also try our service to get a detailed report and assessment for your essays.