The document provides tips for writing the two main tasks in the IELTS exam - Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. For Task 1, it describes the format as a descriptive report of 150 words in 3-4 paragraphs without opinions. It offers strategies for analyzing static and movement data, identifying trends and exceptions, and writing the introduction, body and summary. For Task 2, it states the format is an opinion or discussion essay of 250 words in 4 paragraphs. It provides examples of opinion and idea tasks and discusses the most common mistakes in IELTS academic writing.

1. IELTS WRITING
By:
Wirathama Hazera Putra, M.Pd.
Mobile Phone: +628975753353

2. WRITING TASK I
1. In form of a descriptive report (150 words / 20
mins).
2. Consists of three or four paragraphs.
3. Don’t write your opinion / suggestion about the data.

3. WRITING TASK I 3
SRATEGIES
1. Analyze the Task & Data (Static / Movement Data).
- A static data shows one timescale only.
- A movement data shows a number of different
timescales.
2. Group the Data, Identify Trends & Exceptions, &
Select Main Features using Figures.
- A trend: a common pattern shared by a group.
- An exception: the most different group / element.
3. Writing the Essay: Introduction, main body, &
summary.

4. WRITING THE ESSAY
1. Introduction:
- Paraphrase the task instruction, don’t copy!
- You can paraphrase with these phrases:
“The chart provides data regarding the …”
“ The table shows data about …”
“ The graph gives information about …”
- Don’t include any figures or data except the year(s)
given.
- Don’t give any background / add additional knowledge /
opinions.

5. WRITING THE ESSAY
II. Main Body:
- Explain the group trends using phrases: “similarly,
likewise, in the same way, a similar pattern or trend,
etc.”
- Give selected figures.
- Compare groups.
- Explain exceptions using phrases: “however, by
contrast, by comparison, conversely, etc.”
- Be careful of the past tense / present tense.

6. WRITING THE ESSAY
III. Summary:
- It is usually in one sentence / maximum three sentences.
- Don’t give your opinion / suggestion about the data.
- Summarize the key trends / exceptions in the main body.
- Don’t include any figures.
- You can start your summary using these phrases:
“In summary, to sum up, overall, to summarize, in
conclusion, in short, etc.”

7. Coordinate
Conjunctions
Sentence Connectors Meaning
and furthermore, besides,
in addition, moreover,
additionally, more
importantly, also, etc.
additional idea
but, yet, although,
even though, though,
despite, in spite of,
while, etc.
However, whereas,
nevertheless, nonetheless,
still, in contrast, etc.
contrast idea
or otherwise, differently, in
another way, etc.
choice of two
possibilities
so consequently, as a result,
therefore, for that reason,
thus, accordingly, etc.
result
for, since, because,
because of, due to,
owing to, etc.
reason

8. Example of Conjunctions
1. Tom is singing, and Paul is dancing.
2. Tom is tall, but / yet Paul is short.
3. Although Tom is tired, he is not going to sleep.
4. Despite / in spite of tiredness, Tom won’t sleep.
5. Tom must write the letter, or Paul will do it.
6. Tom told a joke, so Paul laughed.
7. Since / because Tom is sick, he cannot go to
campus.
8. Tom’s wife cannot stop smiling because of him.
9. Due to illness, Paul will see a doctor.
10. Owing to a car accident, Paul’s car is taken to
a garage.

9. Example by Connectors
1. I don’t feel like going to that party.
Moreover, I have a bad cold.
2. His new wife is very beautiful and
charming. However, she can’t cook at all.
3. We must all eat the proper food.
Otherwise, we’ll get sick.
4. You can receive individual guidance
from your counselor. Therefore, you
should take advantage of this service.

10. WRITING TASK II
1. In form of a discussion, opinions or ideas (250 words
/ 40 mins).
2. Consists of four paragraphs.
3. Analyze the task carefully before writing, whether the
task asks you to give your personal opinions or ideas!
4. Opinion tasks take two forms: discussion and
personal viewpoint.
5. Idea tasks ask you to think of some ideas on a topic,
such as problem/solution, cause/effect, and evaluate.

11. EXAMPLES
1. Opinion (Discussion): Computers are being used
more and more in education. Some people say that
this is a positive trend while others argue that it is
leading to negative consequences. Discuss both
sides of this argument and then give your own
opinion.
2. Opinion (Personal Viewpoint): Tourism is always a
force for good which enables people of different
countries to understand each other. To what extent
do you agree with this idea? Give reasons for your
answer, and include ideas and examples from your
own knowledge and experience.

12. EXAMPLES
3. Ideas: Many people today are worried about
cybercrime such as hacking and identity theft. What
problems does cybercrime cause, and what
solutions can you suggest for ordinary people and
business to take? Give reasons for your answer,
and provide ideas and examples from your own
experience.

13. THE 10 MOST COMMON MISTAKES
IN IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING
1. Using contractions, such as “I don’t think,” instead of “I do
not think.”
2. Writing too few words, less than 250 words.
3. Writing too many words, more than 300 words.
4. Bad handwriting.
5. Using informal words, such as “a nice idea, a silly thing to
do,” instead of “a positive idea, a regrettable thing to do.”
6. Giving personal opinion in idea type task.
7. Telling stories about your personal history, friends, or
family, instead of describing examples you have learned
from media.
8. Giving too detailed/specific evidence to a subject.
9. Being emotional / too dramatic in opinion task.
10. Not following the basic structures presented in the book.