We get lots of emails every week thanking us for our articles and resources, but they normally end with things like:
I’ll never be able to write like a native speaker.
I wish I could write like you.
Tell me how to think like an examiner.
I need your brain.
I can’t give you my brain, but I can talk you through how I answer an IELTS Writing question. I decided to record my computer screen and think out loud while I wrote the answer to a Task 2 question I had never seen before. This will, hopefully, give you an insight into how I think about these questions and my various thought processes. The video is below.
I actually made a big mistake with the timing and thought I had no time left when I actually had 10 minutes to go, so the essay could be improved further, but I think that it shows just how tricky timing can be and has given me more sympathy for students.
You will also notice that I made quite a few mistakes and I went back and deleted whole sections of the essay. I think that this shows that everyone does make mistakes and how important it is to read each sentence immediately after you have written it and then review your whole essay at the end. If I had not done this, I think I would have got a pretty low mark.
So here is the video. I hope that it helps you gain an insight into how I go about answering these questions.
Please set the resolution to at least 480p to see the writing clearly. Sorry if you have a slow connection.
What did you think? Would you change anything about the essay? Will it help you improve? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
If you would like more access to Task 2 resources, please check out our IELTS Writing Task 2 page.
Salwa says
Many thanks, it’s a nice way to learn.i realised I did not plan effectively and didn’t stick to my plan
Your help is much appreciated.
Bb says
Thanks Chris for the video. Really helpful. But I just need clearance on something. In writing the essay is it OK to use ‘this essay agrees, disagrees…. I don’t know if that will be OK. Using the word ‘this essay’ in the writing. Can’t one be penalised? Instead of using ‘this essay’ maybe I can use other words to tell my opinion
Junjun says
Hi,Chris.
I need your brain, I mean, when I saw a new topic in the process of test I could not have a clear idea and think about those reasons like you did in the Vedio.
Joy says
Sorry for the typo – it seems that I cannot watch any video in the website.
Joy says
Hello Christopher, I accidentally find this website and realize that it actually is very helpful and informative. Yet unfortunately I cannot access the video. It seems that I cannot watch all the videos in the website. What a shame…
lauay says
I think this writing task done by you in this video is the best in all blogs of ielts ,very nice job
Yasir Khan says
Hi, I read through your website which is very interesting, contains monumental ideas/strategies to get through IELTS. I myself is an IELTS trainer based in Pakistan and pay homage to you for creating such an amazing blog which equally helps both test-takers and teachers. However, your post regarding “personal pronouns” left me surprised. You have been teaching and using it well according to the standardized rules and regulations of essay writing. The examiners may not necessarily bother about your pompousness, verbosity and overly formal style, but the natural way of addressing your ideas: cohesion and coherence and native like expression. That’s all!
Christopher Pell says
Hi. Thanks for your email. I found it difficult to understand your last few points. Can you clarify what you mean in the last few sentences?
Ainur says
Hi there,
Mr.Chris would like to thank you for the video.;)
Christopher Pell says
Hi. I wrote a very detailed article about personal pronouns that you might find interesting- http://ieltsadvantage.com/2015/10/08/personal-pronouns-ielts/
Trần Thi Thanh Binh says
I have to say that your video is supper helpful! Thank you very much!
Iman says
Hi Chris,
Thank you very much for your insightful video. I specially enjoyed watching this because your impromptu approach of writing, I believe, can give a sense of cognitive empathy to the students. However, drawing upon your own argument about the scoring criteria, I would like to know your comment about the the apparent discrepancy between the definition of band scores in the public version of band descriptors of IELTS (available online) and your definition of a quality writing. To clarify, I would like you to review the criteria and the definition of band level 8, not to mention 9, as follows:
A. Task Response:
– sufficiently addresses all parts of the task
– presents a well-developed response to the
question with relevant, extended and
supported ideas
B. Coherence and Cohesion
– sequences information and ideas
logically
– manages all aspects of cohesion well
– uses paragraphing sufficiently and
appropriately
C. Lexical Resource
– uses a wide range of vocabulary
fluently and flexibly to convey
precise meanings
– skilfully uses uncommon lexical
items but there may be
occasional inaccuracies in word
choice and collocation
– produces rare errors in spelling
and/or word formation
D. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
– uses a wide range of structures
– the majority of sentences are error-free
– makes only very occasional errors or
inappropriacies
Even if the scores of this writing in Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion were both 9, would you still say that your writing in this video could meet the criteria of Lexical Resource and Grammar Range and Accuracy of band 8? What about explicit definitions “a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly”, “skilfully uses uncommon lexical items”, “a wide range of structures”? I am sure your are quite aware that using a “high range” of grammar and using “less common words” are necessary for band scores higher than 7.
Thank you again and looking forward to your reply.
Christopher Pell says
Yes, I do believe that I have used a wide range of grammar and vocabulary both skillfully and accurately.
Bella says
Hi Chris, some people suggest we need to put the view we agree in paragraph 1 and put what we disagee in para 2; but others oppose to this opinion. This essay shows the later opinion as you put what you disagree in para 1 and what you agree in para 2. Does the sequence really matter the coherence? Thanks
Christopher Pell says
Either are fine.
Jass says
Hi chris sir…..I’m visiting this blog every day and effectively improve in my writing..this video very useful for me and I love your explanation. ..so thanks a lot depth my heart
huong says
thank you, chris, this video is very useful, im looking forward to watching your other videos
Christopher Pell says
Thanks Huong.
Aziza says
Could you please type your essay in comments so that I would be able to print it out?
Christopher Pell says
Thanks for you comment. I will try when I have time.
Chris Wong says
Hi Mr.Pell. The cohesive devices that you’ve used quite amazed me in different way. But I don’t have enough idea often to expand and link my supporting details to my main idea. In your opinion, what can I do to improve this weakness within 3 weeks before the IELTS exam ? Anyway, I love your explanation on the essay and you’ve made it clear for me to understand. But, in order to get Band 7-8, we should add on some complicated words right ? Or the examiner just wants to know how would you explain your idea with your logical thinking ? Stay blessed
Christopher Pell says
Hi Chris. Thanks for your comment. 3 weeks might be a bit unrealistic, but it all depends on what band you need and how much time you have to practice. Follow the advice on this blog and use as much English every day as possible.
You don’t have to add any ‘complicated’ words to this essay. In fact, this is a very dangerous strategy because adding ‘complicated’ words normally leads to mistakes.
nader says
Chris dont stop at that point, can you act like an examiner and correct that essay subjectively ?
Christopher Pell says
Good idea Nader. I will do a follow up soon.
Katey Nixon says
On a similar note, I feel still undecided about the permissible ways to use personal experience in IELTS essays. I teach people for IELTS academic, and I always tell them to depersonalise their examples. So for example, in your essay the example about your college friends would be made into a more general truth. “There are numerous reported cases where students drop out of their courses in the first year and many of these are a consequence of students studying a subject chosen by their parents and not of their own volition.” So I teach students that their personal experience is a gold mine, but that they should use their own examples in a more academic style. I feel that if students learn they can write in a more informal style they will actually be penalised when they go to university and have to relearn what they have been taught for IELTS. Maybe this is a problem with the IELTS test itself, and you are an examiner so you know what is required, but I think this is a hotly debated issue.
Christopher Pell says
Hi Katey. Thanks for your comment. Using personal examples is absolutely fine and it actually states that you should use them in some questions. I tell my students to avoid using too many personal pronouns, but there is nothing wrong with using them when giving your opinion or giving examples. There is nothing in the Marking Criteria that suggests this is not allowed.
Feri says
What I mean is that you used all the simple words, grammar and writing style, so is it enough to do the same approach to get BAND 9?
Christopher Pell says
There is nothing in the Marking Criteria to suggest that you can’t get a 9 using ‘simple’ words or grammar. I think there is a huge misconception about using overly complicated words and phrases. Remember that it is a writing test, not a grammar and vocabulary test, and the goal of writing is to clearly convey meaning. Look at some of the other Band 9 sample essays from ex-examiner’s sites like IELTS Simon or DC IELTS and you will notice that their language is very clear and not overly complex.
Tan Bui says
It’s really interesting and easy to follow when you’ve visualized and combined lots of knowledge of your articles into a live video.
However, the writing style of the conclusion gives me a consideration because the pronoun “you” had been used a little too much. Is it better if we try to avoid using “you” in an essay?
Christopher Pell says
That’s a good point. In general, you should avoid personal pronouns, because you risk making your essay too informal and not very academic. Despite this, there is actually nothing in the Marking Criteria which says you can’t use personal pronouns. The general rule is that you shouldn’t use too many of them, but some are fine. Hope that helps.
Feri says
Everything that you make is practical. Thanks!
Is it enough to do the same to get BAND 9?
Christopher Pell says
I’m not sure what ‘do the same’ means. Can you clarify?